Patent ID: 8000802

Claim:
A method for performing a coplanar connection between a conductor and a contact on an implantable lead, comprising: attaching the conductor to a coupling, the coupling comprising: a first coupling region, wherein the conductor extends into and attaches to the coupling along the first coupling region to define a longitudinal axis of the coupling; a second coupling region adjacent to and extending radially outward from the first coupling region and void of conductor; and a third coupling region extending radially outward from the second coupling region, wherein a cross section of the coupling transverse to the longitudinal axis includes the first, second, and third coupling regions with the first coupling region directly attached to the conductor at the cross section; positioning the coupling in an electrically isolative lead body adjacent to the contact, wherein the coupling is configured to exit the electrically isolative lead body and mate with the contact; welding the third coupling region to the contact creating a contact weld; and, maintaining the conductor coplanar to the contact and within the electrically isolative lead body.