Steerable percutaneous paddle stimulation lead

1. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead comprising:

a lead body defining a paddle structure, the lead body having two opposing major surfaces, the lead body extending along a length between a proximal end and a distal end, the lead body having a width:thickness aspect ratio of at least 2:1 throughout the length of the lead body, and the lead body being configured to steer in a lateral direction orthogonal to the thickness and the length;

a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the lead body; and

a first lumen extending through the length of the lead body from the proximal end to the distal end, the lumen configured receive a guide wire and allow the lead body to move along the guide wire;

wherein the lead body comprises a plurality of fins disposed along the length of the lead body, the fins are configured to allow the lead body to steer in the lateral direction and further wherein lateral spaces extend in between the fins along the length and extend in between the two opposing major surfaces in a thickness direction such that, in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the length, each lateral space is defined between the two opposing major surfaces, to allow the fins to flex within a thickness plane between the two opposing major surfaces of the lead body.

2. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide wire disposed within the first lumen and extending beyond the proximal end to the distal end of the lead body.

3. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 1 , further comprising a polymeric material disposed about the fins and defining the two opposing major surfaces of the paddle structure.

4. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 1 , further comprising a polymeric sheath disposed about the fins and defining the two opposing major surfaces of the paddle structure.

5. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 1 , wherein the width thickness aspect ratio is at least 3:1.

6. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead comprising:

a lead body defining a paddle structure, the lead body having two opposing major surfaces, the lead body extending along a length between a proximal end and a distal end, the lead body having a width:thickness aspect ratio of at least 2:1 throughout the length of the lead body, and the lead body being configured to steer in a lateral direction orthogonal to the thickness;

a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the lead body; and

a first lumen extending through the length of the lead body from the proximal end to the distal end;

wherein the lead body comprises a plurality of adjacent stacked segments that are able to move somewhat independently of each other along the length of the lead body, wherein spaces are defined in between the stacked segments,

wherein the lead body comprises a polymeric sheath defining the two opposing major surfaces of the paddle structure, wherein the spaces are defined in between the two opposing major surfaces such that, in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the length, each space is defined between the two opposing major surfaces, the polymeric sheath disposed about the stacked segments and the spaces.

7. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 6 , wherein the stacked segments are not fixed to one another.

8. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 6 , further comprising a first steering cable and a second steering cable extending parallel with the first lumen, wherein the first steering cable can deflect the lead body in a first direction and the second steering cable can deflect the lead body in a second direction opposing the first direction, wherein the first lumen is parallel with the first and second steering cables and is disposed between the first and second steering cables.

9. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 8 , wherein the first steering cable and the second steering cable are parallel and extend through the plurality of stacked segments.

10. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 6 , wherein the first lumen is configured receive a guide wire and allow the lead body to move along the guide wire.

11. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 6 , wherein the width thickness aspect ratio is at least 3:1.

12. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead comprising:

a lead body defining a paddle structure, the lead body having two opposing major surfaces, the lead body extending along a length between a proximal end and a distal end, the lead body having a width:thickness aspect ratio of at least 2:1 throughout the length of the lead body, and the lead body being configured to steer in a lateral direction orthogonal to the thickness and the length, the lead body further comprising a plurality of stacked segments, a space extending in between each pair of stacked segments along the length, and a polymeric sheath disposed about the stacked segments and the spaces, the polymeric sheath defining the two opposing major surfaces of the paddle structure, wherein the spaces are defined in between the two opposing major surfaces such that, in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the length, each space is defined between the two opposing major surfaces;

a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the lead body;

a first steering cable and a second steering cable extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the lead body through the plurality of stacked segments, the first steering cable is fixed near the distal end of the lead body and the second steering cable is fixed near the distal end of the lead body, wherein the first steering cable can deflect the lead body in a first lateral direction and the second steering cable can deflect the lead body in a second lateral direction opposing the first direction; and

a conductor coil assembly disposed within a central lumen extending parallel to the first steering cable and the second steering cable along the length of the lead body, and the conductor coil is disposed between the first steering cable and the second steering cable.

13. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 12 , wherein the conductor coil is configured to receive a guidewire and allow the lead body to move along the guidewire.

14. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 12 , wherein the plurality of stacked segments are configured to allow the lead body to steer in the lateral direction orthogonal to the thickness.

15. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 12 , wherein the lead body comprises a second lumen that terminates within the lead body and is configured to receive a stylet.

16. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 12 , wherein the stacked segments are not fixed to one another.

17. A percutaneous paddle stimulation lead according to claim 12 , wherein the width thickness aspect ratio is at least 3:1.