Medical leads having at least one segmented row of electrodes, as well as
at least one ring electrode that extends substantially completely around
the periphery of the lead, are described. The electrodes in a segmented
row extend around only a portion of the periphery of the lead, rather
than substantially around the entire periphery. The electrodes in a
segmented row may be distributed at respective locations around the
periphery of the lead and separated by insulating material. The ring
electrodes and segmented rows are located at respective axial positions.
For example, in some embodiments, a plurality of segmented rows, such as
two rows having three electrodes each, are located between two ring
electrodes. Such a lead may, for example, provide a variety of
stimulation modalities because of localized stimulation capabilities.