Polymer compression joining in implantable lead

An implantable medical lead, comprising:

• a coil conductor electrically coupled to an electrode;
• a metal swage base coupled to the coil conductor and electrode, the swage base comprising an annular body including at least one flange and a plurality of bumps extending radially outward from the at least one flange;
• a polymer sleeve interposed at least in part between the swage base and the electrode, the polymer sleeve including a number of channels each in compression with a corresponding bump of the swage base;
• and
• wherein the polymer sleeve is mechanically bonded to the swage base and the electrode via a compression joint.

A method of forming a joint on an implantable medical lead, the method comprising:

• coupling at least a portion of a polymeric member to a base, the base comprising an annular body including a flange with a number of protrusions configured to engage an inner wall of the polymeric member;
• inserting a rigid member over the polymeric member adjacent to the flange;
• and
• compressing the polymeric member in between the base and the rigid member, thereby forming a compression joint between the polymeric member, the base, and the rigid member.