# US 2014/0155969 A1 · Distally reinforced lead and methods of making and using > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155969 A1 - Document ID: US20140155969A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/091,863 - Filed: 2013-11-27 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Applicants: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation - Inventors: Jacob B. Leven - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155969A1 ## CPC - A61N 1/0551: {Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract An electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body that defines a central lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the lead body. The stimulation lead includes electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body, terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body, and conductors. Each conductor electrically couples at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals. The stimulation lead also includes a tubular reinforcing member disposed in the central lumen of the lead body within a portion of the distal end of the lead body or at least one reinforcing member disposed upon the distal end of the lead body proximal of the plurality of electrodes. The reinforcing member stiffens a portion of the distal end of the lead body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical stimulation lead, comprising: a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length, the lead body defining a central lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the lead body; a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body, a plurality of conductors, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals; and a tubular reinforcing member disposed in the central lumen of the lead body entirely within the distal end of the lead body, the reinforcing member extending proximal of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the reinforcing member is configured and arranged to stiffen a portion of the distal end of the lead body in which the reinforcing member resides. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is entirely disposed proximal of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member extends beneath at least one of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member extends beneath at least a majority of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a hypotube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 5, wherein the hypotube is spiral cut along a length of the hypotube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 6, wherein the spiral cut varies in pitch along the length of the hypotube. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is a coiled wire. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 1, further comprising a stylet configured and arranged for insertion within the central lumen and passing through the tubular reinforcing member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 9, wherein the stylet comprises a curved distal end that is configured and arranged, when inserted into the lead, to cause at least a portion of the distal end of the lead body to curve, wherein the stylet is further configured and arranged so that the curved distal end is temporarily straightened when the stylet is retracted so that the curved distal end resides within the tubular reinforcing member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An electrical stimulation system, comprising the electrical stimulation lead of claim 1; and a control module coupleable to the electrical stimulation lead. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrical stimulation system of claim 11, further comprising a lead extension coupleable to the electrical stimulation lead and the control module. ### Claim 13 An electrical stimulation lead comprising: a lead body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length; a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end of the lead body, a plurality of conductors, each conductor electrically coupling at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals; and at least one reinforcing member disposed upon the distal end of the lead body proximal of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is configured and arranged to stiffen a portion of the distal end upon which the at least one reinforcing member is disposed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 13, wherein the at least one reinforcing member comprises a reinforcing tube having a length greater than a length of any one of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 14, wherein the reinforcing tube has a length greater than a combined length of at least four of the plurality of electrodes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 13, wherein the at least one reinforcing member comprises a plurality of reinforcing bands attached to the distal end of the lead body. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The electrical stimulation lead of claim 13, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is formed of metal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) An electrical stimulation system, comprising the electrical stimulation lead of claim 13; and a control module coupleable to the electrical stimulation lead. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) A method of implanting an electrical stimulation lead, the method comprising: providing the electrical stimulation lead of claim 10; inserting the stylet into the central lumen of the lead body and through the tubular reinforcing member; and implanting the electrical stimulation lead into a patient using the curved distal end of the stylet to curve at least a portion of the distal end of the electrical stimulation lead and steer the lead to a desired implantation site. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising retracting the curved distal end of the stylet into the tubular reinforcing member to temporarily straighten the curved distal end of the stylet.