Siemens-pacesetter, Inc.

Harry W Fletcher

Edward Chernoff

James E Barcel

Jeryle L Walter

An in-line, multipolar proximal connector assembly for an implantable stimulation lead is provided which incorporates at least one sensor. Advantageously, the present invention uses straight conductive rods, or wires, to electrically connect the proximal terminals to a multilumen lead body. The straight conductive rods enable the diameter of the lead assembly to remain small. Additional terminals can easily be added by simply decreasing the spacing between terminals and adding additional conductive rods. In one embodiment, insulating spacers are premolded to include protruding portions which interlock with the ring terminals. Recesses within the insulating spacers are dimensioned to self-position the ring terminals a precise distance from the pin terminal according to precise dimensions defined by the VS-1 (or other) standards. In another embodiment, the terminals are injection molded. While the present invention is directed towards a quadrapolar (four conductors) design, it may be easily adapted to a bipolar, tripolar or multipolar (five conductors or more) design.

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Panorama City, CA, United States of America

Harry W Fletcher