Lead or lead extension having a conductive body and conductive body contact

A system comprising:

• an apparatus;
• and
• an implantable medical device comprising:
• a body comprising
• (i) a proximal end portion at least partially coupled to the apparatus, and
• (ii) a distal end portion;
• a stimulating electrical element at the distal end portion of the body;
• a stimulating contact at the proximal end portion of the body, wherein the stimulating contact is positioned such that at least a portion of the apparatus is electrically coupled to the stimulating contact;
• a stimulating conductor that electrically couples the stimulating electrical element to the stimulating contact;
• a braid of wires that is integrated into and surrounded by the body, wherein the braid of wires is not utilized for application of stimulation and wherein the braid of wires wires is at a same depth within the body over the length of the body;
• a conductive body contact that is integrated into the body and surrounds and physically contacts the braid of wires at the same depth;
• wherein the braid of wires is electrically connected to the conductive body contact.

An implantable medical system comprising:

• an extension comprising:
• an extension body comprising a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
• a stimulating electrical element at the distal end portion of the extension body;
• a stimulating contact at the proximal end portion of the extension body;
• a stimulating conductor that electrically couples the stimulating electrical element to the stimulating contact;
• a braid of wires that is integrated into and surrounded by the extension body, wherein the braid of wires is not utilized for application of stimulation and wherein the braid of wires is at a same depth within the extension body over the length of the extension body;
• a conductive body contact that is integrated into the extension body and surrounds and physically contacts the braid of wires at the same depth to be electrically connected to the braid of wires;
• and
• a lead comprising:
• a lead body having a proximal end portion configured to be at least partially received by the extension, and a distal end portion;
• an electrode at the distal end portion of the lead body;
• a stimulating contact at the proximal portion of the lead body, the stimulating contact being electrically coupled to the electrode and being positioned such that when received by the extension, at least a portion of the extension is capable of electrically coupling to the stimulating contact;
• a braid of wires that is integrated into and surrounded by the lead body;
• wherein the conductive body contact of the extension and the braid of wires of the lead are configured to electrically connect the braid of wires of the lead and the braid of wires of the extension.