Leads with proximal stiffening and related methods of use and manufacture

An electrical stimulation lead, comprising:

• a lead body having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a longitudinal length;
• a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal portion of the lead body or on a paddle body coupled to the lead body;
• a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the lead body;
• a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of electrodes;
• a conductor guide disposed within the lead body and extending from the proximal portion of the lead body along the lead body, the conductor guide comprising a polymeric material and defining a central lumen and a plurality of conductor lumens disposed around the central lumen, the central lumen and conductor lumens extending longitudinally along the conductor guide, the conductor lumens having a proximal end and receiving the plurality of conductors within the conductor lumens;
• and
• a stiffening agent disposed within at least one of the conductor lumens from the proximal end to at least a portion of the conductor lumen within which at least one of the conductors is disposed, wherein the stiffening agent is a polymeric material having a durometer at least 10% greater than a durometer of the polymeric material of the conductor guide.

An electrical stimulation lead, comprising:

• a lead body having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a longitudinal length;
• a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal portion of the lead body or on a paddle body coupled to the lead body;
• a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal portion of the lead body;
• a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of terminals to the plurality of electrodes;
• a conductor guide disposed within the lead body and extending from the proximal portion of the lead body along the lead body, the conductor guide defining a central lumen and a plurality of conductor lumens disposed around the central lumen, the central lumen and conductor lumens extending longitudinally along the conductor guide, the conductor lumens having a proximal end and receiving the plurality of conductors within the conductor lumens;
• and
• a stiffening agent disposed within at least one of the conductor lumens from the proximal end to at least a portion of the conductor lumen within which at least one of the conductors is disposed, wherein the stiffening agent comprises discrete epoxy particles and a continuous epoxy layer within which the epoxy particles are disposed.