Implantable lead with improved conductor lumens

Abstract

An implantable lead body for a medical device with improved conductor lumens separates and insulates conductors while permitting access to the conductors through the implantable lead outer surface. The implantable lead comprises a lead body, a stylet lumen, at least one conductor lumen, and at least one axial slit in the lead body. The lead body has a proximal end, a distal end, an internal portion, and an external portion. The stylet lumen is formed in the internal portion. The conductor lumen is formed in the internal portion and positioned near an outer surface of the internal portion such that there is only a web between the conductor lumen and the outer surface of the internal portion. The axial slit is formed in the lead body distal end between the conductor lumen and the outer surface of the internal portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An implantable lead body with improved conductor lumens, comprising: 
 a lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, an internal portion, and an external portion;    a stylet lumen formed in the internal portion;    at least one conductor lumen formed in the internal portion and positioned near an outer surface of the internal portion such that there is only a web between the conductor lumen and the outer surface of the internal portion; and,    at least one axial slit in the web of the lead body distal end between the conductor lumen and the outer surface of the internal portion.    
     
     
         2 . The implantable lead body as in  claim 1 , further comprising 
 at least one conductor contained in the internal portion extending from the lead proximal end to the distal end, the conductor being electrically insulated;    at least one contact carried on the proximal end and electrically connected to the conductor;    at least one contact carried on the lead distal end and electrically connected to the conductor; and,    at least one coupling having a conductor coupling and a contact coupling, the conductor coupling being placed over the conductor and attached to the conductor and the contact coupling exiting the axial slit and having a weld to connected the contact coupling to the contact.    
     
     
         3 . The implantable lead body as in  claim 1 , wherein the web is no greater than about 0.005 centimeters thick.  
     
     
         4 . An implantable lead body, comprising: 
 a lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, an internal portion, and an external portion;    a stylet lumen formed in the internal portion;    means for conductor lumen formed in the internal portion and positioned near the exterior portion such that there is only a web between the conductor lumen and an outer surface of the internal portion; and,    means for axial slit in the web of the lead body distal end between the means for conductor lumen and the exterior surface.