Implantable medical device including a hermetic connector block extension

An implantable medical assembly adapted to be coupled to a connector block that is part of an implantable medical device that transmits a first set of command signals, the assembly comprising:

• a first lead body comprising at least one electrical lead;
• and
• a hermetic connector block extension separable from the connector bock and the implantable medical device, the connector block extension being coupled to the first lead body and adapted to be coupled to the connector block, comprising:
• a housing defining an interior space,
• an electronic network housed within the interior space and configured to receive the first set of command signals from the implantable medical device and output a second set of command signals that are different than and based on the first set of command signals,
• a first set of one or more feedthrough terminals extending through the housing and adapted to directly couple the electronic network to the connector block, and
• a second set of one or more feedthrough terminals extending through the housing and directly coupling the electronic network to the first lead body.

An implantable hermetic connector block extension adapted to be directly coupled to a lead body and directly coupled to a connector block that is part of an implantable medical device that transmits a first set of command signals, the hermetic connector block extension comprising:

• a housing, separable from the connector block and the implantable medical device, the housing defining an interior space;
• an electronic network housed within the interior space and configured to receive the first set of command signals from the controlling device and output a second set of command signals that are different than and based on the first set of command signals;
• a first set of one or more feedthrough terminals extending through the housing and adapted to directly couple the electronic network to the connector block;
• and
• a second set of one or more feedthrough terminals extending through the housing and adapted to directly couple the electronic network to the first lead body.