Implantable lead having a lumen with a wear-resistant liner

1. An implantable lead comprising:

a lead body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the lead body including an insulative member having a lumen extending longitudinally through the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, and a generally tubular helical liner disposed coaxially with the lumen within the insulative member;

an electrode disposed along the lead body in the distal end portion thereof;

a conductor disposed within the lumen and electrically coupled to the electrode; and

a terminal connector coupled to the proximal end portion of the lead body and to the conductor, the terminal connector configured to provide an electrical and mechanical connection of the implantable lead with an implantable medical device;

wherein the liner defines an inner surface adjacent to the conductor and against which the conductor can bear.

2. The implantable lead of claim 1 , wherein the liner is in the form of a strand of material helically wound into a generally tubular shape.

3. The implantable lead of claim 1 , wherein the liner is a tubular member having a wall including an inner surface and an outer surface, and at least one slot extending through the wall.

4. The implantable lead of claim 3 , wherein the slot extends longitudinally along a portion of the tubular member and in a helical path about a circumference of the lumen.

5. The implantable lead of claim 4 , wherein the tubular member includes an electrode segment devoid of any portion of the slot, and wherein the electrode segment is positioned adjacent to the electrode.

6. The implantable lead of claim 3 , wherein the tubular member includes at least one connecting strut spanning the slot in at least one location along a length of the slot.

7. The implantable lead of claim 1 , wherein the lumen is a first lumen, the liner is a first liner, the lead body further including:

a second lumen extending between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion;

a second generally tubular liner disposed coaxially with the second lumen within the insulative member; and

a second conductor extending within the second lumen and electrically connected to a second electrode disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body; wherein the second liner defines an inner surface adjacent to the second conductor and against which the second conductor can bear.

8. The implantable lead of claim 1 , wherein the liner is partially embedded within the insulative member.

9. The implantable lead of claim 1 , wherein the liner extends along at least the length of the lumen through which the conductor also extends.

10. A method of manufacturing an implantable lead, the method comprising:

forming an insulative lead body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the lead body including an insulative member with a lumen extending longitudinally through the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, and a generally tubular helical liner disposed coaxially with the lumen within the insulative member;

coupling an electrode to the lead body in the distal end portion thereof;

coupling a terminal connector to the proximal end portion of the lead body; and

coupling a conductor positioned within the lumen to the electrode and to the terminal connector, wherein the conductor is adjacent to the liner and can bear against the liner.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein forming the insulative lead body includes:

disposing a first material defining the liner over a mandrel; and

forming the insulative member by disposing a second material over the first material, the second material being different than the first material.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the mandrel is a core pin, a cable conductor, a coil conductor, or a tubular sleeve.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

removing the mandrel after forming the insulative member; and

positioning the conductor within the lumen after removing the mandrel.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein forming the insulative member includes molding or extruding the second material over the first material, wherein the second material is an electrically insulative material.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein forming the insulative lead body includes forming the insulative member and disposing the generally tubular helical liner within the lumen.

16. A method of manufacturing an implantable lead, the method comprising:

forming an insulative lead body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the lead body including an insulative member with a lumen extending longitudinally through the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, and a generally tubular helical liner disposed coaxially with the lumen within the insulative member;

coupling an electrode to the lead body in the distal end portion thereof;

positioning a conductor within the lumen, such that the conductor is adjacent to the liner and can bear against the liner, the conductor having a proximal end and an opposite distal end;

coupling the distal end of the conductor with the electrode; and

coupling a terminal connector to the proximal end portion of the lead body and to the proximal end of the conductor.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein forming the insulative lead body includes:

disposing a first material defining the liner over a mandrel; and

forming the insulative member by disposing a second material over the first material, the second material being different than the first material.

18. An implantable lead comprising:

a lead body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the lead body including an insulative member having a lumen extending longitudinally through the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, and a generally tubular liner disposed coaxially with the lumen within the insulative member, wherein the liner includes a plurality of longitudinally-spaced cylindrical segments and a plurality of connecting struts, at least one of the connecting struts extending between and connecting adjacent cylindrical segments;

an electrode disposed along the lead body in the distal end portion thereof;

a conductor disposed within the lumen and electrically coupled to the electrode; and

a terminal connector coupled to the proximal end portion of the lead body and to the conductor, the terminal connector configured to provide an electrical and mechanical connection of the implantable lead with an implantable medical device;

wherein the liner defines an inner surface adjacent to the conductor and against which the conductor can bear.

19. The implantable lead of claim 18 , wherein a pair of the connecting struts extends between and connects each adjacent pair of cylindrical segments, the connecting struts in the pair of connecting struts disposed about 180 degrees apart about a circumference of the tubular member.

20. The implantable lead of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of longitudinally-spaced cylindrical segments includes a first cylindrical segment, a second cylindrical segment, and a third cylindrical segment, and wherein the plurality of connecting struts includes a first pair of connecting struts extending between and connecting the first and second cylindrical segments, and a second pair of connecting struts extending between and connecting the second and third cylindrical segments, wherein the connecting struts of the first pair of connecting struts are radially offset from the connecting struts of the second pair of connecting struts.