Patent ID: 7184840

Claim:
An implantable lead with an isolated contact connection, comprising: a lead body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an exterior surface; at least one conductor contained in the lead body extending from the lead proximal end to the distal end, the conductor being electrically insulated; at least one contact carried on the proximal end and electrically connected to the conductor; at least one contact carried on the lead distal end and electrically connected to the conductor; and, at least one coupling having a conductor coupling, an isolation space, and a contact coupling, the conductor coupling being placed over the conductor and attached to the conductor, the isolation space being void of the conductor and extending axially from the conductor coupling, and the contact coupling extending radially outward from the isolation space, exiting the lead body and having a weld to connect the contact coupling to a contact slot formed in the contact, wherein the isolation space is created between the conductor and the contact to prevent directly welding the conductor to the contact, the isolation space is a hollow portion of the coupling, wherein the hollow portion of the coupling is at least partially filled with a non-conductive fill material.