Method of manufacturing an electrical lead

Abstract

An electrically conductive member ( 10 ) includes an elongate body ( 11 ) which has at least one electrically conductive region ( 20 ). The electrically conductive region ( 20 ) comprises a porous polymeric material coated with an electrically conductive material. A method of manufacturing the electrically conductive member ( 10 ) includes the steps of extruding an elongate body of polymeric material wherein at least one region of the elongate body is porous in nature; and coating said elongate body with an electrically conductive material such that the electrically conductive material substantially coats the pores of said at least one region.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A method of manufacturing an electrical lead, the method comprising: 
 (i) extruding an elongate body of polymeric material wherein at least one region of the elongate body is porous in nature; and    (ii) coating said elongate body with an electrically conductive material such that the electrically conductive material substantially coats the pores of said at least one region.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the electrically conductive material is applied to the elongate body by electroless plating.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the electrically conductive material is forced through the pores of the at least one electrically conductive region by the application of pressure.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  comprising a further step of one of electroplating and electroless plating.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28  which includes, prior to step (ii), cleaning an outer surface of the elongate body.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28  which includes, prior to step (ii), modifying an outer surface of the elongate body to produce a wettable or hydrophilic surface such that the deposition of the coating is accelerated and chemical and mechanical adhesion of the coating to the surface is improved.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28  which includes, prior to step (ii), catalyzing a surface of the elongate body.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  which includes catalyzing a surface of only the at least one electrically conductive region of the elongate body.  
     
     
         36 - 56 . (canceled)