Patent ID: 8660664

Claim:
A method of forming an implantable medical device, the method comprising: providing an implantable microstimulator, the microstimulator comprising a body having an elongated shape with a first end portion and an opposing second end portion, the microstimulator further comprising internal circuitry that is disposed in the body and that is configured and arranged for providing stimulation energy, and a first microstimulator electrode that is electrically coupled to the internal circuitry and that is disposed along the first end portion of the body; providing a first lead assembly, the first lead assembly comprising an insulated conductor having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, at least one first remote electrode disposed at the distal end of the first lead assembly and a first connector disposed at the proximal end of the insulated conductor, the first connector comprising a pouch of elastic biocompatible material configured and arranged to completely cover the first microstimulator electrode when the first connector of the first lead assembly is disposed over the first microstimulator electrode and to seal the first connector when the first connector of the first lead assembly is not disposed over the first microstimulator electrode; and disposing the first connector of the first lead assembly over the first microstimulator electrode to completely cover the first microstimulator electrode and to electrically couple the insulated conductor of the first lead assembly to the first microstimulator electrode.