Patent ID: 8391982

Claim:
An implantable lead comprising: a lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal length; a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body; a plurality of contact terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body; a central lumen defined by the lead body and extending along the longitudinal length of the lead body from the proximal end of the lead body towards the distal end of the lead body; a plurality of conductor lumens defined by the lead body and extending along the longitudinal length of the lead body from the proximal end of the lead body towards the distal end of the lead body, wherein the plurality of conductor lumens are disposed peripherally from the central lumen with each of the plurality of conductor lumens being separate from, and distinct from, the central lumen; a plurality of conductor wires electrically coupling the electrodes to the contact terminals, wherein the plurality of conductor wires extend along the longitudinal length of the lead body within the plurality of conductor lumens, and wherein for each of the plurality of conductor wires the conductor wire extends directly from the conductor lumen within which the conductor wire is disposed to at least one of the plurality of contact terminals; a tubular stiffener having a longitudinal length, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter, the tubular stiffener disposed in the central lumen at the proximal end of the central lumen and lead body, wherein the tubular stiffener is configured and arranged to facilitate insertion of the proximal end of the lead body into a connector, wherein the longitudinal length of the tubular stiffener is no greater than 3.8 cm and no less than 3 cm, and wherein the inner diameter of the tubular stiffener is configured and arranged to receive an insertion rod of a stylet.