Patent ID: 8380324

Claim:
A method for forming an implantable lead, the method comprising: disposing an elongated conductor in a lead body of the lead; disposing at least one safety element entirely within at least one lumen defined within an outer layer of the lead body, the safety element configured and arranged to reduce damage to patient tissue adjacent to the plurality of electrodes due to heating, induced electrical signals, or both when the lead is exposed to radio frequency irradiation, wherein the at least one safety element is disposed on or in a stylet insertable into the at least one lumen of the lead body, and wherein the at least one safety element is configured and arranged to remain disposed within the at least one lumen after the lead is implanted into a patient; coupling a first end of the conductor to an electrode disposed on a distal end of the lead; coupling a second end of the conductor to a terminal disposed on a proximal end of the lead; and electrically coupling the terminal to a control module configured and arranged to generate electrical signals for stimulating patient tissue via the electrode.