Patent ID: 6879857
Filing Date: 2005-04-12
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device having an electronic circuit and a battery power supply hermetically sealed within a metal housing, the housing having first and second halves and incorporating a feed-through assembly for connecting the electronic circuit to electrical contacts within a lead connector block, the lead connector block being attached to a housing header by anchor posts, comprising the steps of: (a) welding the first and second halves of the housing together so that the electronic circuit and battery power supply are contained within the housing; (b) welding the feed-through assembly to the housing header, leaving an opening in the header leading to an interior of the housing; (c) aspirating the interior of the housing to exhaust gases arising from the welding steps through said opening; (d) injecting an inert, non-conductive gas through the opening into the interior of the housing; (e) plugging the opening with an anchor post; and (f) anchoring the lead connector block to the header using the anchor post.