Distal connector assemblies for medical lead extensions

A system including a medical lead and a medical lead extension, comprising:

• a proximal connector of the medical lead extension;
• an elongated cable of the medical lead extension that contains a plurality of electrical conductors, the elongated cable having a distal end and having a proximal end that is coupled to the proximal connector;
• a distal connector that is coupled to the distal end of the elongated cable, the distal connector comprising:
• a holder;
• a carrier containing a plurality of electrical connectors loaded into the holder, wherein the plurality of electrical conductors are routed from the elongated cable to the electrical connectors and are electrically coupled to the electrical connectors;
• and
• an enclosure surrounding the holder, carrier, and electrical connectors;
• and
• a medical lead having a proximal end inserted into the distal connector.

A method of constructing a system that includes a medical lead and a medical lead extension having a distal connector assembly, comprising:

• providing a carrier, a plurality of electrical connectors, and a holder combined such that the electrical connectors are present within the carrier and the carrier is present within the holder;
• providing conductors routed from an elongated cable to the electrical connectors and electrically coupled to the electrical connectors;
• providing the holder, carrier, and electrical connectors within an enclosure that forms the distal connector assembly;
• and
• inserting a proximal end of the medical lead into the distal connector assembly.

A medical lead extension, comprising:

• a proximal connector;
• an elongated cable containing a plurality of electrical conductors, the elongated cable having a distal end and having a proximal end with the proximal connector at the proximal end, the electrical conductors including a distal portion that extends beyond the distal end of the elongated cable;
• a distal connector that is coupled to the distal end of the elongated cable, the distal connector comprising:
• a holder;
• a carrier containing a plurality of electrical connectors loaded into the holder wherein the distal portions of the plurality of electrical conductors are routed from the elongated cable to the electrical connectors and are electrically coupled to the electrical connectors;
• and
• an enclosure surrounding the holder, carrier, and electrical connectors.