Patent ID: 8504157

Claim:
A connector assembly comprising: a lead or a lead extension with a proximal end and an outer covering, the lead or the lead extension comprising a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension; a connector with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal length, the connector configured and arranged to receive the lead or the lead extension, the connector comprising a connector housing defining a port at the distal end of the connector, the port configured and arranged for receiving the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension, and a plurality of connector contacts disposed in the connector housing, the connector contacts configured and arranged to couple to at least one of the plurality of terminals disposed on the proximal end of the lead or the lead extension and a retention assembly disposed in the connector, the retention assembly configured and arranged for removably securing the lead or the lead extension to the connector, the retention assembly comprising a threaded member disposed on either i) the connector or ii) the lead or the lead extension that is configured and arranged to mate with a threaded aperture defined in the other of i) the connector or ii) the lead or the lead extension.