Patent ID: 7174211
Filing Date: 2007-02-06
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A header for an implantable medical device, the header having contacts in a single lead terminal receiving bore adapted to mate with a proximal terminal of both a unipolar and a bipolar lead, the proximal terminal of the unipolar lead having a proximal pin contact adjacent a plastic insulating sleeve and the proximal terminal of the bipolar lead having a proximal pin contact and a distal ring contact, the header comprising: (a) a plastic body member adapted to be affixed to a housing of an implantable medical device; (b) a longitudinal, lead terminal receiving bore formed in the plastic body member; (c) first and second longitudinally spaced apertures extending transversely to and intersecting with the lead terminal receiving bore formed in the plastic body member; (d) first and second conductive connector blocks respectively placed in the first and second apertures, each said connector block having a bore concentric with the lead terminal receiving bore formed in the body member and a threaded bore extending transverse to and intersecting with the bore of the connector block, the bore of the second connector block having a diameter large enough to receive the proximal pin contact of either a unipolar lead or a bipolar lead and the bore of the first connector block having a diameter large enough to receive the distal ring contact of a bipolar lead or the plastic insulating sleeve of a unipolar lead therein; (e) a first set screw inserted into the threaded bore in the second connector block and adapted to engage the proximal pin contact of either a bipolar lead or a unipolar lead; and (f) a second set screw inserted into the threaded bore in the first connector block and adapted to engage either the distal ring contact of a bipolar lead with an interference fit of at least 0.002 inch or the insulating sleeve of a unipolar lead where the threads in the threaded bore of the first connector block preclude the second set screw from yielding an interference fit greater than about 0.008 inch with the insulating sleeve and thereby damaging the insulating sleeve when the second set screw is fully inserted into the threaded bore in the second connector block.