in one embodiment , a medical lead comprises a lead body for conducting electrical pulses and a paddle . the paddle includes an intermediate metal layer , at least an insulative polymer backing layer , and an insulative polymer covering layer . the intermediate metal layer comprises a plurality of features defined by gaps in the metal material in the metal layer such that each feature is electrically isolated from each other feature , wherein each feature includes a respective connector element that is electrically coupled to at least one conductor within the lead body , wherein a portion of the insulative polymer covering layer is exposed above each feature to define a respective electrode for the corresponding feature . also , the paddle possesses shape memory to cause the paddle to assume a substantially planar orientation when the shape memory is in a relaxed state .