Implantable lead

1. An implantable neural stimulator comprising:

one or more electrodes configured to apply one or more stimulation pulses to a neural tissue;

an antenna configured to receive, wirelessly and through electrical radiative coupling, an input signal containing electrical energy; and

a circuit coupled to the antenna and the one or more electrodes, wherein the circuit is configured to:

apply the electrical energy contained in the input signal to create the one or more stimulation pulses suitable for stimulating the neural tissue; and

supply the one or more stimulation pulses to the one or more electrodes.

2. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 1 , wherein the implantable neural stimulator is packaged to fit inside an introducer or a needle having a diameter no larger than gauge 13 .

3. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 2 , wherein the implantable neural stimulator comprises an enclosure that includes a lumen configured to accommodate a navigating stylet when the enclosure is inserted into the introducer or the needle.

4. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 3 , wherein the enclosure is sized and shaped for delivery into an epidural space of a patient.

5. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 4 , wherein the enclosure has a concave shape configured to secure a lateral position on the neural tissue after the implantable neural stimulator has been implanted inside the patient.

6. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 5 , wherein the lateral position is with regard to a dorsal aspect of a spinal cord column of the patient.

7. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 3 , wherein the enclosure comprises a rounded distal tip or a pointed distal tip.

8. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 3 , wherein the enclosure further comprises at least one orbital lumen.

9. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 8 , wherein the lumen is located in a single-lumen extension tubing, the at least one orbital lumen are located in an extension tubing, and wherein the extension tubing is located more proximally than the single-lumen extension tubing.

10. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 9 , wherein the enclosure further encloses a plurality of antenna coupling contacts, wherein the antenna coupling contacts are electrically coupled to the antenna and the circuit.

11. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 10 , wherein the antenna coupling contacts comprise 2 to 8 antenna coupling pairs located proximal to the electrode within the enclosure.

12. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 10 , wherein the antenna coupling contacts are connected by conducting wires to the antenna and the circuit, wherein each of the conducting wires is enclosed in a respective orbital lumen.

13. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are directionally configured to direct a current associated with the one or more stimulation pulses in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the neural tissue.

14. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 1 wherein the one or more electrodes comprise a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical array of electrodes.

15. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 1 , wherein the circuit comprises: one or more diodes, one or more resistors, and one or more capacitors.

16. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 15 , wherein the circuit further comprises: charge balance circuitry, and isolation circuitry.

17. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 15 , wherein the circuit is sufficiently flexible to bend over a radius of under 0.5 mm.

18. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 15 , wherein the circuit is placed proximal, relative to the electrodes.

19. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 1 , wherein the antenna comprises a conductive trace.

20. The implantable neural stimulator of claim 1 , wherein the antenna comprises a conductive wire.