Establashing continuity between a shield within an implantable medical lead and a shield within an implantable lead extension

An implantable lead extension, comprising:

• an extension jacket;
• a braided shield within the extension jacket;
• and
• a non-conductive housing at a distal end of the extension jacket that includes an opening, a connector within the opening, wherein the braided shield extends from the extension jacket through the housing to the connector and is coupled to the connector, the housing comprising a first layer of non-conductive material, with the braided shield being outside of the first layer of non-conductive material, and a second layer of non-conductive material that surrounds the braided shield and the first layer of non-conductive material.

A method of shielding an apparatus comprising an implantable lead coupled to an implantable lead extension, the method comprising:

• providing a non-conductive housing at a distal end of the implantable lead extension that includes an opening, a connector within the opening, and a braided shield within the implantable lead extension that extends through the housing to the connector, the housing further including stimulation connectors with the connector being distal of the stimulation connectors, the housing comprising a first layer of non-conductive material, with the braided shield being outside of the first layer of non-conductive material, and a second layer of non-conductive material that surrounds the braided shield and the first layer of non-conductive material;
• providing a shield electrode on a proximal end of the implantable lead that is coupled to the braided shield within the housing;
• and
• inserting the proximal end of the implantable lead into the opening to establish contact between the connector of the implantable lead extension and the shield electrode of the implantable lead.