Patent ID: 8694130

Claim:
A method of fabricating a reinforced medical electrical lead, the method comprising: providing at least one conductor; disposing a flexible shaft around the at least one conductor, the at least one conductor having first and second end sections that extend beyond ends of the flexible shaft; electrically connecting at least one lead connection terminal to the second end section of the least one conductor; providing a first longitudinal reinforcing sheath, the first reinforcing sheath defining a first longitudinal lumen; inserting a section of a core member within the first longitudinal lumen at a distal end of the first reinforcing sheath; disposing a reinforcing sleeve around a length of the reinforcing sheath, the reinforcing sleeve surrounding the inserted section of the core member; compressing selected sections of the reinforcing sleeve around the first reinforcing sheath and the inserted section of the core member to enhance the rigidity at the distal end and retain the core member in place; disposing the crimped first reinforcing sheath through an inner channel defined by the first end section of the at least one conductor; and extending the flexible shaft so that the at least one conductor and the at least one lead connection terminal are at least partially embedded within the flexible shaft.