Patent ID: 8214046
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A pre-molded header assembly for an implantable medical device which includes a casing containing electronic circuitry and having a mounting surface and at least one feedthru and feedthru wire connected to the electronic circuitry and projecting out of the mounting surface, the pre-molded header assembly comprising: an electrically conductive connector block having a bore with a longitudinal axis for engageably receiving a proximal end portion of a lead carrying at least one electrical connector; one end of a bore contact wire attached to the connector block; a feedthru adapter having an upper region with a guiding channel formed thereon, an undersurface with an orientation channel having a predetermined azimuthal direction formed therein, and a transverse channel extending from the upper region to the undersurface thereof, a length of the bore contact wire distant from the one end keyed with the guiding channel passing through the transverse channel including an end portion extending to a tip end and bent into conformance with the orientation channel formed on the undersurface of the feedthru adapter; a molded header encapsulating the feedthru adapter, the connector block, and the bore contact wire and having an undersurface for mounting engagement on the mounting surface of the casing and an elongated receptacle with a longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bore of the connector block, the undersurface of the feedthru adapter forming a portion of the undersurface of the molded header, the receptacle positioned to receive the proximal end portion of the lead as it engages the connector block, the molded header mounted to the casing so the undersurface thereof is in engagement with the mounting surface of the casing; an end portion of the feedthru wire extending to a tip end in a direction generally aligned with the predetermined azimuthal direction of the orientation channel formed on the underside of the feedthru adapter so that the tip end of the feedthru wire and the tip end of the bore contact wire terminate in the same direction and lie in the same plane, the end portions of the feedthru wire and of the bore contact wire being welded together; and sealant material backfilled into the interface between the header and the casing.