Fatigue-resistant electrostimulation leads and methods of use thereof

A method for manufacturing an electrostimulation lead, the method comprising:

• electrically coupling a distal end of at least one conductor to at least one electrode disposed at a distal region of the electrostimulation lead;
• electrically coupling a proximal end of the at least one conductor to at least one contact disposed at a proximal region of the electrostimulation lead;
• tightly winding a portion of the at least one conductor in a coiled configuration to form a fatigue-resistant zone of the electrostimulation lead, the fatigue-resistant zone configured to be disposed at a location within the patient that experiences fracture-inducing shear forces caused by movement of a patient's lower back muscles post-implantation;
• and
• encapsulating the at least one conductor with an insulated tube,
• wherein the at least one conductor comprises individual strands that extend in a straight configuration parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lead body outside of the fatigue-resistant zone, and
• wherein the individual strands of the at least one conductor are maintained in the coiled configuration within the fatigue-resistant zone and gradually transition towards the straight configuration in a semi-coiled configuration within a first transition portion proximal to the fatigue-resistant zone to thereby extend in the straight configuration outside of the fatigue-resistant zone towards the proximal region, and within a second transition portion distal to the fatigue-resistant zone to thereby extend in the straight configuration outside of the fatigue-resistant zone towards the distal region.

A method for implanting an electrostimulation lead within a patient, the method comprising:

• selecting an electrostimulation lead having a proximal region, a distal region, a fatigue-resistant zone disposed between the proximal region and the distal region, and at least one conductor comprising individual strands that extend from the distal region to the proximal region in a straight configuration parallel to a longitudinal axis of the electrostimulation lead outside of the fatigue-resistant zone;
• and
• implanting the distal region of the electrostimulation lead adjacent to nervous tissue associated with control of a lumbar spine such that the fatigue-resistant zone of the electrostimulation lead is disposed at a location within the patient that experiences fracture-inducing shear forces caused by movement of the patient's lower back muscles post-implantation,
• wherein the individual strands of the at least one conductor are tightly wound in a coiled configuration within the fatigue-resistant zone to enhance fatigue-resistance at the fatigue-resistant zone, and
• wherein the individual strands of the at least one conductor are maintained in the coiled configuration within the fatigue-resistant zone and gradually transition towards the straight configuration in a semi-coiled configuration within a first transition portion proximal to the fatigue-resistant zone to thereby extend in the straight configuration outside of the fatigue-resistant zone towards the proximal region, and within a second transition portion distal to the fatigue-resistant zone to thereby extend in the straight configuration outside of the fatigue-resistant zone towards the distal region.