Lead with lead stiffener for implantable electrical stimulation systems and methods of making and using

1. 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.

2. The lead of claim 1 , wherein the tubular stiffener comprises a spiraling cut along a longitudinal axis of the tubular stiffener.

3. The lead of claim 1 , wherein the spiraling cut forms a plurality of interlocking elements.

4. The lead of claim 1 , wherein the tubular stiffener is laterally flexible.

5. The lead of claim 1 , wherein the tubular stiffener comprises a coiled wire.

6. The lead of claim 5 , wherein the coiled wire has a round cross-section.

7. The lead of claim 5 , wherein the coiled wire has a rectangular cross-section.

8. The lead of claim 1 , wherein the tubular stiffener forms an interference fit with the central lumen at the proximal end of the lead body.

9. The lead of claim 1 , wherein the tubular stiffener is bonded to the central lumen at the proximal end of the lead body.

10. The lead of claim 1 , wherein the tubular stiffener is thermoformed to the central lumen at the proximal end of the lead body.

11. An electrical stimulation system comprising:

a lead comprising a lead body, the lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, the lead body comprising

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, and

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 lead body, 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;

a control module configured and arranged to couple to the lead and provide electrical stimulation to at least one of the electrodes, the control module comprising

a housing, and

an electronic subassembly disposed in the housing; and

a connector for receiving the lead, the connector having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal length, the connector comprising

a connector housing defining a port at the distal end of the connector, the port configured and arranged for receiving the proximal end of the lead body, and

a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the connector housing, the connector contacts configured and arranged to couple to at least one of the plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body;

wherein the tubular stiffener is configured and arranged to facilitate insertion of the proximal end of the lead body into the connector.

12. The electrical stimulation system of claim 11 , wherein the longitudinal length of the tubular stiffener is no greater than the longitudinal length of the connector.

13. The electrical stimulation system of claim 11 , wherein the connector is disposed in the control module.

14. The electrical stimulation system of claim 11 , further including a lead extension, the connector disposed in the lead extension.

15. The electrical stimulation system of claim 14 , wherein the lead extension is configured and arranged to couple electrically to at least one conductive contact.

16. A method for stimulating patient tissue, the method comprising:

implanting the lead of claim 1 into a patient;

disposing the proximal end of the lead body into a control module; and

providing electrical signals from the control module to electrically stimulate patient tissue using at least one of the electrodes of the lead.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the control module comprises a connector with at least one conductive contact disposed in the connector.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the proximal end of the lead body is inserted in the connector with at least one contact terminal electrically coupling with at least one conductive contact.

19. The electrical stimulation system of claim 11 , wherein the longitudinal length of the tubular stiffener is greater than the longitudinal length of the connector.

20. The lead of claim 1 , wherein the tubular stiffener has a round transverse cross-section.