Lead with contact end conductor guide and methods of making and using

1. An electrical stimulation lead extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a circumference, the lead comprising:

an end conductor guide disposed at the proximal or distal end of the lead, the end conductor guide having a first end, a second end, a generally cylindrical shape, a length, and an exterior surface, the end conductor guide defining a plurality of conductor tracks formed in the exterior surface and extending longitudinally from the first end at least partway along the length of the end conductor guide, the end conductor guide further defining protrusions between adjacent conductor tracks giving the end conductor guide a cog-shaped cross-section at the first end, wherein each of the conductor tracks extends a different distance along the length of the end conductor guide;

a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead, wherein each electrode is a cylindrical ring electrode extending around the circumference of the lead;

a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead, wherein each terminal is a cylindrical ring terminal extending around the circumference of the lead, wherein the plurality of terminals are disposed over the end conductor guide when the end conductor guide is disposed at the proximal end of the lead and the plurality of electrodes are disposed over the end conductor guide when the end conductor guide is disposed at the distal end of the lead;

an elongated lead body extending from the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; and

a plurality of conductors coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals, each of the conductors comprising an end portion that is disposed within one of the plurality of conductor tracks of the end conductor guide.

2. The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein each of the conductor tracks extends only partway along the length of the end conductor guide.

3. The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein the end conductor guide defines a central lumen extending longitudinally through the end conductor guide.

4. The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein the lead body comprises a multilumen conductor guide and an outer layer disposed over the multilumen conductor guide, the multilumen conductor guide comprising a central lumen and a plurality of conductor lumens disposed around the central lumen, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of conductors is disposed within one of the conductor lumens.

5. The electrical stimulation lead of claim 4 , wherein the multilumen conductor guide has an end that is disposed adjacent the end conductor guide.

6. A system for electrical stimulation of patient tissue, the system comprising:

the electrical stimulation lead of claim 1 ; and

a control module coupleable to the electrical stimulation lead.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a lead extension having a proximal end and a distal end, the lead extension comprising

a connector disposed on the distal end of the lead extension and configured and arranged to receive the proximal end of the electrical stimulation lead;

an end conductor guide disposed at the proximal end of the lead extension, the end conductor guide having a first end, a second end, a generally cylindrical shape, a length, and an exterior surface, the end conductor guide defining a plurality of conductor tracks formed in the exterior surface and extending longitudinally from the first end at least partway along the length of the end conductor guide, the end conductor guide further defining protrusions between adjacent conductor tracks giving the end conductor guide a cog-shaped cross-section at the first end;

a plurality of contacts disposed along the proximal end of the lead extension over the end conductor guide of the lead extension;

an elongated lead extension body extending from the connector to the plurality of contacts; and

a plurality of conductors coupling the connector to the plurality of contacts, each of the conductors comprising an end portion that is disposed within one of the plurality of conductor tracks of the end conductor guide.

8. A method of making the electrical stimulation lead of claim 1 , the method comprising:

providing the end conductor guide;

disposing the end portions of each of the plurality of conductors in the conductor tracks of the end conductor guide;

disposing a plurality of contacts over the end conductor guide;

coupling the end portions of the conductors to the plurality of contacts; and

disposing insulative spacers between adjacent contacts.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising attaching a non-conductive tip to an end of the end conductor guide.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the end conductor guide comprises a non-conductive tip portion.

11. The electrical stimulation lead of claim 4 , wherein the end conductor guide and the protrusions are formed of a stiffer material than a material forming the multilumen conductor guide.

12. The electrical stimulation lead of claim 4 , wherein the end conductor guide and the protrusions are formed of a material with a higher durometer than a material forming the multilumen conductor guide.

13. The stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein the end conductor guide defines a number of the conductor tracks equal to a number of the conductors.

14. The stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein the end conductor guide is disposed only at the distal end of the lead and defines a number of the conductor tracks equal to a number of the electrodes.

15. The stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein the end conductor guide is disposed only at the proximal end of the lead and defines a number of the conductor tracks equal to a number of the terminals.

16. The stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein the lead body comprises a closed, non-conductive tip disposed at the second end of the end conductor guide.

17. The stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein the end conductor guide is disposed only on the proximal end of the lead.

18. The stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are arranged uniformly around a circumference of the end conductor guide.

19. The stimulation lead of claim 1 , wherein the lead body and either the electrodes or the terminals completely cover the end conductor guide.