Systems and methods for making and using improved leads for electrical stimulation systems

A lead for providing electrical stimulation, the lead comprising:

• a lead body having a distal end, proximal end, and a longitudinal length, the lead body comprising multi-lumen conductor guide extending from the proximal end of the lead body to the distal end of the lead body, the multi-lumen conductor guide having an outer surface and defining a central stylet lumen configured and arranged for receiving a stylet and a plurality of conductor lumens disposed around the central stylet lumen, each conductor lumen configured and arranged to receive at least one conductor, wherein the plurality of conductor lumens are completely inset from the outer surface of the multi-lumen conductor guide, wherein at least a portion of the multi-lumen conductor guide is twisted such that the multi-lumen conductor guide forms at least one helical section where the plurality of conductor lumens form helical pathways around the stylet lumen, and wherein each of the helical pathways of the at one helical section has a pitch that is no less than 0.04 turns per centimeter and no greater than 0.8 turns per centimeter;
• a plurality or electrodes disposed on the distal end of the lead body;
• a plurality of lead terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead body;
• and
• a plurality of conductors electrically coupling at least one of the plurality of electrodes to at least one of the plurality of lead terminals, wherein the plurality of conductors extend along the longitudinal length of the leady body within the plurality of conductor lumens.