Implantable stimulation lead and method of manufacture

An implantable lead having a distal end, a proximal end and a body, comprising in combination:

• (A) a coil member running along a central lumen portion of the lead, the coil having a first portion having a first pitch and a second portion having a second pitch;
• (B) at least two wire members forming the coil member, each wire member having a filar at a distal end that extends from the coil member, wherein the first pitch and second pitch are predetermined to allow the filars to be substantially collinear at a predetermined distance therebetween independent of wire member width and number;
• (C) a flexible tubing member formed over the coil member;
• and
• (D) at least one contact sleeve having a through radial hole for receipt of the filar, the filar being welded to the contact sleeve along the radial hole.

An implantable lead having a distal end, a proximal end and a body, comprising in combination:

• (A) a flexible tubing member along an outside portion of the lead;
• (B) a coil member running along a central lumen portion of the lead, the coil having at least a first portion having a first pitch and at least a second portion having a second pitch;
• (C) at least two wire members forming the coil member, each wire member having a filar at a distal end that extends from the coil member, wherein the filars are collinear at a predetermined distance therebetween being determined by the pitches of the coil member and being independent of wire member width and number;
• and
• (D) at least one contact sleeve positioned over an impression of the flexible tubing member and having an opening for receipt of the filar, the opening having a weld point coupling the filar to the contact sleeve.

A method of manufacturing an implantable lead comprising the steps of:

• (A) forming a coil member comprising at least two wire members, the coil member having a fixed pitch portion and a variable pitch portion, each wire member having a filar member at a distal end, wherein the variable pitch portion is predetermined to allow the filars to be substantially collinear at a predetermined distance therebetween independent of wire member width and number;
• (B) forming a flexible lead body over the coil member;
• (C) extending the filar members of each of the wire members radially from the coil member at a predetermined portions along the variable pitch portion of the coil member;
• (D) providing a contact sleeve over a portion of the lead body, the contact sleeve having a opening for receipt of the filar member;
• and
• (E) welding the filar member to the contact sleeve.