A connector for an implantable electrical medical device includes an elongated connector body a connector lumen to receive a lead or lead extension a non-conductive carrier disposed in the connector body and including at least two rails extending parallel to the connector lumen and pairs of contact holders spaced-apart along the rails contacts with each contact disposed between one of the pairs of contact holders and connector conductors coupled to the contacts. Instead of carrier and contacts, the connector can include contact assemblies, each contact assembly including a non-conductive contact carrier defining two nodes, and two contacts, each contact disposed in one of the two nodes, each contact including a coil and a sheath disposed around at least a portion of the coil. Another alternative includes a non-conductive carrier with contact openings and contacts, where each contact is a rod disposed in one of the contact openings.
