Patent Description:
Medical devices can be implanted or implantable in a body of a patient, such as to monitor patients, including detecting or sensing physiologic information from the patient, such as one or more of heart sounds, respiration (e.g., respiratory rate (RR), tidal volume (TV), etc.), impedance (e.g., thoracic impedance, cardiac impedance, cutaneous impedance, etc.), pressure (e.g., blood pressure), cardiac activity (e.g., heart rate, cardiac electrical information, etc.), chemical (e.g., electrolyte), physical activity, posture, plethysmography, or one or more other physiologic information of the patient, and, in certain examples, provide therapy to the patient in clinical and ambulatory settings. Implantable medical devices (IMDs) can include cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices, such as pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization devices, cardioverters, defibrillators, drug delivery devices, or one or more other IMDs implanted or implantable within a body of, or subcutaneously to, a patient.

IMDs often include a hermetically sealed housing containing electronic circuitry of the IMD (e.g., one or more signal processing or control circuits, telemetry circuits, therapy circuits, power management circuits, etc.) and a power source, and one or more lead ports in a header outside of the hermetically sealed housing to couple one or more leads having one or more electrodes or other sensors positioned at various locations in or near a heart of the patient, such as in one or more of the atria or ventricles, to the IMD. Separate from, or in addition to, the one or more electrodes or other sensors of the leads, the IMD can include one or more electrodes or other sensors (e.g., a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a microphone, etc.) powered by a power source in the IMD. The one or more electrodes or other sensors of the leads, the IMD, or a combination thereof, can be configured detect physiologic information from the patient, or provide one or more therapies or stimulation to the patient.

Lead ports include electrical contacts for communicating electrical signals into and out of the IMD, such as between the electronic circuitry of the IMD and one or more electrodes coupled to the one or more leads. The present inventors have recognized, among other things, a need to reduce the cost and complexity of electrical connection of one or more electrical contacts of the one or more lead ports to respective electronic circuitry inside the hermetically sealed housing.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose wiring techniques for medical devices.

The present invention is defined by the appended claims and provides a system according to claim <NUM> and a method according to claim <NUM>. Embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

Systems and methods to couple electrical contacts of a header of a medical device to respective feedthrough pins of a connector block of a medical device housing using a preformed wire are disclosed. The preformed wire can include a proximate portion comprising a number of turns shaped to engage a feedthrough pin. The number of turns of the preformed wire, once engaged with the feedthrough pin, can physically separate a major portion of the preformed wire from the connector block and the housing. The major portion of the preformed wire can be shaped to route a distal portion of the preformed wire to a first electrical contact of the header when the proximate portion of the preformed wire engages the feedthrough pin.

In certain examples, the number of turns of the proximate portion of the preformed wire can form a lumen configured to engage the feedthrough pin, such as prior to attachment via weld (e.g., resistance welded, laser welded, spot welded, etc.). The feedthrough pin can be shaped to retain the proximate end of the preformed wire. Spacing between successive turns of the proximate end of the preformed wire can provide variance of one or more diameters of the number of turns when compressed, such as when placed and pressed onto the feedthrough pin.

Described herein is a method comprising engaging a first feedthrough pin of a first connector block of a housing of a medical device with a proximate portion of a first preformed wire, the proximate portion comprising a number of turns configured to physically separate a major portion of the first preformed wire from the first connector block and the housing when engaged with the first feedthrough pin, wherein the major portion of the first preformed wire is shaped to route a distal portion of the first preformed wire to a first electrical contact of a lead port of a header when the proximate portion of the first preformed wire engages the first feedthrough pin. Also described herein is a system comprising a housing of a medical device comprising a first connector block, the first connector block comprising a first feedthrough pin, a header comprising a lead port having a first electrical contact, and means for engaging the first feedthrough pin of the first connector block of the housing of the medical device with a proximate portion of a first preformed wire and physically separating a major portion of the first preformed wire from the first connector block and the housing when engaged with the first feedthrough pin, wherein the major portion of the first preformed wire is shaped to route a distal portion of the first preformed wire to the first electrical contact of the lead port of the header when the proximate portion of the first preformed wire engages the first feedthrough pin.

The means for engaging the first feedthrough pin of the first connector block of the housing of the medical device with the proximate portion of the first preformed wire and physically separating the major portion of the first preformed wire from the first connector block and the housing when engaged with the first feedthrough pin comprise a number of turns of the proximate portion of the first preformed wire, the number of turns shaped to engage the first feedthrough pin and to physically separate the major portion of the first preformed wire from the first connector block and the housing when the proximate portion of the first preformed wire engages the first feedthrough pin.

This summary is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present disclosure. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the disclosure. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present disclosure. Other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description and viewing the drawings that form a part thereof, each of which are not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various examples discussed in the present document.

<FIG> illustrates an example prior art system <NUM> comprising portions of an implantable medical device (IMD) including a housing <NUM>, a first connector block <NUM>, a plurality of extended feedthrough pins 104A-104J, and a second connector block <NUM>. The housing <NUM> can be composed of a hermetically sealed, biocompatible, electrically-conductive material and can include one or more circuits of the IMD. The first and second connector blocks <NUM>, <NUM> can be composed of an insulative material (e.g., ceramic, etc.) configured to separate the one or more one or more conductors inside the housing <NUM> from one or more feedthrough pins, one or more conductors outside the housing <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> itself.

The IMD can include a header comprising one or more lead ports configured to receive proximate ends of one or more respective leads. The header can be composed of a biocompatible electrically insulative material and can be coupled to a first edge (e.g., a top edge, etc.) of the housing <NUM> during assembly of the device. The first connector block <NUM> can be configured to provide electrical communication between one or more conductors or electrical circuits inside the housing <NUM> to one or more electrical contacts of the header, such as respective electrical contacts of a lead port, etc. The second connector block <NUM> can be configured to provide electrical communication between one or more conductors or electronic circuits inside the housing <NUM> to an antenna located outside of the housing <NUM>, such as in the header or one or more other insulative materials outside of the housing <NUM>.

One approach of assembly of the device comprises physically manipulating one or more of the extended feedthrough pins 104A-104J to electrically couple contacts of the first connector block <NUM>, and accordingly to one or more conductors or electrical circuits inside the housing <NUM>, to respective electrical contacts or components of the header. The length of the feedthrough pins must be long enough to manipulate respective feedthrough pins to corresponding locations of the header. To maintain integrity during manufacture, manipulation, assembly, and use, feedthrough pins are commonly made from platinum group metals (PGMs). The cost of PGMs continue to increase, driving increased cost of IMDs.

In addition, feedthrough pins extending away from the housing <NUM> can be damaged or bent during handling prior to or during assembly. Accordingly, assembly may require one or more straightening steps prior to or during assembly, increasing assembly cost and complexity. The longer the feedthrough pins, the more likely they are to be damaged or require straightening. Damage to the feedthrough pins can be prevented prior to assembly with a cover, though at additional cost.

Another approach includes using a stamped ribbon to electrically couple contacts of the first connector block <NUM> to respective electrical contacts or components of the header. However, stamped ribbons can limit design freedom with respect to lead port locations and spacings. In certain examples, stamped ribbons cannot easily navigate routing profiles needed to couple contacts of the first connector block <NUM> to the header. Further, in certain examples, multiple stamped ribbons may need to be joined together to couple contacts of the first connector block <NUM> to the header.

The present inventors have recognized, accordingly, that there is a need to reduce the cost or complexity of electrically coupling contacts of the first connector block <NUM> to respective electrical contacts or components of the header while maintaining or improving performance of such electrical coupling. In an example, a combination of one or more stub feedthrough pins (e.g., relatively short, shorter than the extended feedthrough pins illustrated in <FIG>) and one or more preformed wires having a number of turns at respective proximate ends of the preformed wires to engage the one or more stub feedthrough pins can be used to replace extended feedthrough pins, such as those illustrated in <FIG>, at a substantially reduced material and assembly cost.

Preformed wires include wires (e.g., an alloy wire, such as a nickel or cobalt alloy, a nickel-cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy (MP35N), a stainless steel alloy, or one or more other alloys, such as a niobium or tantalum alloy wire, etc.) that are pre-shaped, such as using a computer numerical control (CNC) machining tool, prior to assembly, to optimize routing for various medical device housing or header designs or configurations. The wire can be one or more diameters (e.g., <NUM> thou (thousandths of an inch), <NUM> thou, <NUM>-<NUM> thou, or larger or smaller, depending on the type of medical device, electrical contact, lead port, etc.). In certain examples, the conductors for the preformed wired can cost substantially less than the conductors of the extended feedthrough pins of <FIG> (e.g., 80x less, etc.). In an example, the length of the stub feedthrough pins, extending from the first connector block <NUM>, can be commensurate with or slightly longer than the number of turns used by the preformed wire to engage the stub feedthrough pins. For example, if the number of turns at the proximate end of the preformed wire is two to four turns, the length of the stub feedthrough pins can be 3x to 5x the diameter of the preformed wire, etc. In certain examples, a slightly longer stub feedthrough pin, more turns at the proximate end of the preformed wire, or both may be desired, although increasing the width of the header.

A proximate end of the preformed wire can be physically and electrically attached, such as welded (e.g., resistance welded, laser welded, spot welded, etc.) to the one or more respective stub feedthrough pins on the first connector block <NUM>. The preformed wire can be coated prior to attachment, or the wire can be pre-coated prior to machining, such as to prevent exposed conductor risk. In an example, once the proximate end of the preformed wire is connected to the respective stub feedthrough pin on the connector block, the opposite distal end of the preformed wire can be physically and electrically attached, such as welded (e.g., resistance welded, laser welded, spot welded, etc.) to one or more respective electrical contacts of a header. In certain examples, if the wire is coated, laser welding must be used, or the coating can be zoned to allow for spot welding at additional cost.

In certain examples, the preformed wire can have a higher stiffness than the extended feedthrough pins of <FIG>, providing easier handling and attachment during assembly. Specific preformed wires for each housing/header configuration can reduce the number of discrete conductors extending from the housing. Laser welding of the wires provides for low or zero gap for weld joints, leveraging welding technology of related stent technologies to track wire positions. Coating the preformed wires can prevent exposure of the conductors prior to assembly, and, in certain examples, aid bonding of the preformed wires to the material of the header to promote adhesion. In certain examples, the preformed wires can be laser welded through the coating (e.g., FM generated laser welding).

In an example, the coating can include a colored coating having a contrasting color from the color of the conductive portion of the wire (e.g., a blue, black, or green coating, etc.), or a UV fluorescence additive coating, such as to aid with inspection for damage to one or more of the wire or the coating, or exposed metal on the wire. In certain examples, exposing a UV fluorescence coated wire to UV light can make defects in the wire and coating more apparent, improving assembly procedures and the speed inspection and reducing faults.

Assembly of the medical device using the preformed wires can reduce complexity of wire routing over existing methods, allowing a common low-cost feedthrough for a number of different housing/header configurations, and can remove the need for human visual inspection of exposed conductors during assembly, each reducing system cost and complexity.

<FIG> illustrates an example system <NUM> comprising portions of an implantable medical device (IMD) including a housing <NUM> (e.g., a conductive, hermetically-sealed housing (CAN)), a first connector block <NUM> (e.g., a lead port connector block, etc.), a plurality of stub feedthrough pins 106A-106J, a plurality of preformed wires 107A-107D, a second connector block <NUM> (e.g., an antenna connector block, etc.), and a header <NUM> comprising a lead port having a number of electrical contacts.

As above with respect to <FIG>, the first connector block <NUM> can be configured to provide electrical communication between one or more conductors or electrical circuits inside the housing <NUM> to one or more electrical contacts of the header <NUM>, such as respective electrical contacts of the lead port, etc. The second connector block <NUM> can be configured to provide electrical communication between one or more conductors or electronic circuits inside the housing <NUM> to an antenna located outside of the housing <NUM>, such as in the header <NUM>.

The plurality of preformed wires 107A-107D are configured to couple electrical contacts of the lead port to respective stub feedthrough pins 106A, <NUM>, 106I, and 106J of the first connector block <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. In other examples, the header <NUM> can include one or more additional lead ports (e.g., two, three, etc.) having the location and number of electrical contacts illustrated in <FIG>, one or more other configurations with different locations or numbers of electrical contacts, or combinations thereof.

A CNC machining tool can be configured to bend or shape wire to a designed profile in a highly controlled manner at relatively low production and assembly cost, such as in contrast to the extended feedthrough pins of <FIG>. In addition, the conductive material used for the wire can be an appreciably lower cost material, as a resulting preformed wire does not require variable amounts of bending, straightening, and handling during assembly.

Each of the plurality of preformed wires 107A-107D has a proximate end configured to be attached to a respective one of the plurality of stub feedthrough pins 106A-106J, a distal end configured to be attached to an electrical contact of the header <NUM>, and major portion between the proximate and distal ends. The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that the major portion of the preformed wire can be raised above the housing <NUM> by the shape of the proximate end.

<FIG> illustrate example top and lateral views <NUM>, <NUM> of a proximate end of a first preformed wire 107A and a corresponding stub feedthrough pin 106A. The proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A includes first, second, and third turns 107A<NUM>, 107A<NUM>, 107A<NUM>. In other examples, the proximate end of the preformed wire 107A can include two or more turns (e.g., two, three, four, etc.) configured to raise the preformed wire 107A above a first connector block <NUM> or a housing, such as that illustrated in <FIG>. For example, if the preformed wire 107A has a wire diameter of <NUM> thou and the proximate end has three turns, the proximate end of the preformed wire 107A can be configured to raise a major portion of the preformed wire 107A above the housing by at least <NUM> thou.

The turns of the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A can form a lumen that can aid in attaching the first preformed wire 107A to the stub feedthrough pin 106A. During assembly, the lumen can be placed over the stub feedthrough pin 106A and physically attached, such as welded (e.g., resistance welded, laser welded, etc.), proximate the top (e.g., respective to <FIG>) of the stub feedthrough pin 106A.

In an example, the turns in the first preformed wire 107A can be configured (e.g., bent or shaped) to create a tapered lumen with a smaller diameter at a first opening proximate the first turn 107A<NUM> and a larger diameter at a second opening proximate the third turn 107A<NUM>, such as illustrated by the first angle θ<NUM> in <FIG>. The tapered lumen can aid in placement of the proximate end of the preformed wire 107A over the stub feedthrough pin 106A. The larger diameter of the second opening can ease placement of the first preformed wire 107A over the stub feedthrough pin 106A. The smaller diameter of the first opening can improve physical and electrical connection of the first preformed wire 107A to the stub feedthrough pin 106A.

In another example, the distance between the turns, such as illustrated by the distance Δ in <FIG>, can be adjusted to alter the height of the major portion of the first preformed wire 107A over the first connector block <NUM> or the housing, or to provide some variance in one or more of the diameters of the first or second openings of the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A. For example, pressing the second opening of the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A against the stub feedthrough pin 106A or an upper surface of the first connector block <NUM> (e.g., in the configuration illustrated in <FIG>), compressing the distance Δ between the turns, can increase the diameter of the lumen commensurate with the compression. Releasing the pressure can, in certain examples, return the diameter of the lumen to its previous diameter, or to some diameter therebetween. A larger distance Δ can provide for larger variance in diameter of the lumen, whereas a smaller distance Δ a smaller variance in diameter of the lumen, but more control of the shape and resulting diameter.

In certain examples, the variance described above can be used to aid in placement of the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A to the stub feedthrough pin 106A, or to enable a compression fit of the smaller diameter of the first opening of the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A to the stub feedthrough pin 106A. In other examples, the stub feedthrough pin 106A can include one or more other profiles or shapes, and the variance can be used to aid in placement of the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A over the one or more other profiles or shapes, or to secure the first preformed wire 107A to the stub feedthrough pin 106A.

<FIG> illustrates an example lateral view <NUM> of a proximate end of a second preformed wire 108A and a stub feedthrough pin 106A. In contrast to the first preformed wire 107A with three turns of <FIG>, the proximate end of the second preformed wire 108A of <FIG> includes two turns, first and second turns 108A<NUM>, 108A<NUM>. In other examples, the proximate end of the second preformed wire 108A can include another number of turns, enough to secure the proximate end of the second preformed wire 108A to the stub feedthrough pin 106A and raise the major portion of the second preformed wire 108A over the first connector block <NUM> and housing, preventing arching risk with the housing, ferrule, or gold braze bleed down.

The turns can reduce the need for fixturing or component to control height of the second preformed wire 108A above the housing. In certain examples, a single turn may be sufficient to raise the major portion of the second preformed wire 108A over the housing. However, to ensure adequate spacing between conductors, two or more turns may be desired. In an example, once adequate spacing is achieved, additional turns, such as more than four or five turns, can begin to negatively impact the width of the header. Accordingly, in certain examples, the number of turns can include a range between two and four.

<FIG> illustrates an example lateral view <NUM> of a proximate end of a third preformed wire 109A and a stub feedthrough pin 106A. In contrast to the second preformed wire 108A of <FIG>, the third preformed wire 109A can be physically rotated to ensure contact with the stub feedthrough pin 106A prior to physical attachment, such as via weld (e.g., resistance weld, laser weld, etc.), etc. In certain examples, the diameter of the lumen of the proximate end of the third preformed wire 109A can be greater than the diameter of the lumen of the second preformed wire 108A of <FIG> to provide for such physical rotation.

<FIG> illustrates an example preformed wire <NUM> including a proximate end <NUM> having three turns for attachment to a feedthrough pin of a connector block of a housing and a distal end <NUM> for attachment to an electrical contact of a header. In an example, the remainder of the preformed wire <NUM> can be considered to be the major portion of the preformed wire <NUM>, shaped for routing between the feedthrough pin of the connector block and the respective electrical contact of the header.

<FIG> illustrates an example system <NUM> comprising an implantable medical device (IMD) including a housing <NUM>, a first connector block <NUM> comprising a plurality of stub feedthrough pins, a plurality of preformed wires, a secondary connector block <NUM>, and a header <NUM> comprising a lead port <NUM> having a number of electrical contacts. The header <NUM> is configured to cover the first and second connector blocks <NUM>, <NUM> and any conductors coupled thereto or between the first connector block <NUM> and one or more electrical contacts of the lead port <NUM> or other electrical contacts of the header <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate example stub feedthrough pins providing alternate attachment configurations to a respective proximate end of a preformed wire, such as the first preformed wire 107A of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example first stub feedthrough pin 106A having a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> with the same or substantially similar diameters, such as illustrated in <FIG>. In an example, the diameter of the top <NUM> can be substantially the same as the diameter of a respective top turn of a proximate end of a preformed wire (e.g., the first turn 107A<NUM> of the first preformed wire 107A). In other examples, the diameter of the top <NUM> can be smaller than the diameter of a respective bottom turn of the proximate end of the preformed wire (e.g., the third turn 107A<NUM> of the first preformed wire 107A) but the same, substantially similar, or slightly larger (e.g., such that the proximate end of the preformed wire can still be pressed onto the first stub feedthrough pin 106A) than the top turn of the proximate end of the preformed wire.

<FIG> illustrates an example second stub feedthrough pin 110A having a top <NUM> with a smaller diameter than a bottom <NUM>, creating a profile having a second angle θ<NUM>. In one example, the second angle θ<NUM> can correspond to the first angle θ<NUM> from <FIG>, such that the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A in <FIG> engages the second stub feedthrough pin 110A at each of its turns.

In another example, the second angle θ<NUM> can be steeper than the first angle θ<NUM> from <FIG>, such that a bottom turn (e.g., the third turn 107A<NUM>) contacts the second stub feedthrough pin 110A prior to a top turn (e.g., the first turn 107A<NUM>). Pressing the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A onto the second stub feedthrough pin 110A after the later turns first contact the second stub feedthrough pin 110A can increase the diameter of the turns until the top turn or all turns contact the second stub feedthrough pin 110A.

In other examples, the second angle θ<NUM> can be more gradual than the first angle θ<NUM> from <FIG>, such that the top turn (e.g., the first turn 107A<NUM>) contacts the second stub feedthrough pin 110A prior to the bottom turn (e.g., the third turn 107A<NUM>). In one example, once the top turn contacts the second stub feedthrough pin 110A, the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A can be physically attached to the stub feedthrough pin 110A, such as via weld (e.g., resistance weld, laser weld, etc.), etc. In another example, once the top turn contacts the second stub feedthrough pin 110A, the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A can be pressed onto the second stub feedthrough pin 110A, increasing the diameter of the turns until the bottom turn or all turns also contact the second stub feedthrough pin 110A. Once the top and bottom turns or all turns contact the second stub feedthrough pin 110A, the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A can be physically attached to the stub feedthrough pin 110A, such as via weld (e.g., resistance weld, laser weld, etc.), etc..

<FIG> illustrate example feedthrough pin configurations including engaging means configured to retain a proximate end of a preformed wire once a proximate end of the preformed wire is placed over and pressed onto the feedthrough pins.

<FIG> illustrates an example third stub feedthrough pin 111A having a top <NUM> with a smaller diameter (e.g., smaller than the turns of a proximate end of a preformed wire), expanding to an expanded diameter towards an upper section <NUM> before again reducing towards a bottom <NUM>. The smaller diameter of the top <NUM> can aid in ease of placement of the proximate end of the preformed wire (e.g., the first preformed wire 107A) over the third stub feedthrough pin 111A. The expanded diameter of the third stub feedthrough pin 111A can be larger than the diameter of a top turn of the preformed wire (e.g., the first turn 107A<NUM> of the first preformed wire 107A), such that the proximate end of the preformed wire must be pressed over the expanded diameter of the third stub feedthrough pin 111A, retaining the proximate end on the third stub feedthrough pin 111A. In other examples, the third stub feedthrough pin 111A can include multiple expanded portions between the top and bottom of the third stub feedthrough pin 111A.

<FIG> illustrates an example fourth stub feedthrough pin 112A having first, second, and third indentations <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> between a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM>, the indentations configured to match the profile of a preformed wire, such as the first preformed wire 107A of <FIG>. In certain examples, the fourth stub feedthrough pin 112A can have a third angle θ<NUM>, in certain examples corresponding to the first angle θ<NUM> of the first preformed wire 107A from <FIG>. In other examples, the third angle θ<NUM> can be shallower than the first angle θ<NUM> from <FIG>, such that when the proximate end of the first preformed wire 107A is placed over the fourth stub feedthrough pin 112A, a top turn (e.g., the first turn 107A<NUM>) of the first preformed wire 107A contacts the first indentation <NUM> of the fourth stub feedthrough pin 112A.

<FIG> illustrates an example fifth stub feedthrough pin 113A having a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> having a larger diameter than a center portion <NUM>. In certain examples, the shape of the fifth stub feedthrough pin 113A can retain a proximate end of a preformed wire (e.g., the first preformed wire 107A) once placed over it, while also separating the proximate end of the preformed wire from a connector block or a housing. In other examples, the top <NUM> can include a profile similar to the top <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, such as to aid initial placement of the proximate end of the preformed wire over the expanded diameter towards the upper section <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example sixth stub feedthrough pin 114A having a top <NUM> having a larger diameter than a bottom <NUM>. In an example, a top turn of a preformed wire (e.g., the first turn 107A<NUM> of the first preformed wire 107A) can have a smaller diameter than the top <NUM> of the sixth stub feedthrough pin 114A, such that the shape of the sixth stub feedthrough pin retains the proximate end of the preformed wire once the proximate end is placed over it.

Various examples are illustrated in the figures above. Some examples may include a computer-readable medium or machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable to configure an electronic device or system to perform methods as described in the above examples. The code can form portions of computer program products. Further, the code can be tangibly stored on one or more volatile or non-volatile computer-readable media during execution or at other times.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>; <NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) of a medical device comprising a first connector block (<NUM>), the first connector block comprising a first feedthrough pin (106A-106J; 110A; 111A; 112A; 113A; 114A);
a header (<NUM>) comprising a lead port (<NUM>) having a first electrical contact; and
means for engaging the first feedthrough pin of the first connector block of the housing of the medical device with a proximate portion of a first preformed wire (107A-107D; 108A; 109A; <NUM>) and physically separating a major portion of the first preformed wire from the first connector block and the housing when engaged with the first feedthrough pin,
wherein the major portion of the first preformed wire is shaped to route a distal portion of the first preformed wire to the first electrical contact of the lead port of the header when the proximate portion of the first preformed wire engages the first feedthrough pin, characterized in that the means for engaging the first feedthrough pin of the first connector block of the housing of the medical device with the proximate portion of the first preformed wire and physically separating the major portion of the first preformed wire from the first connector block and the housing when engaged with the first feedthrough pin comprise a number of turns (107A<NUM>, 107A<NUM>, 107A<NUM>; 108A<NUM>, 108A<NUM>) of the proximate portion of the first preformed wire, the number of turns shaped to engage the first feedthrough pin and to physically separate the major portion of the first preformed wire from the first connector block and the housing when the proximate portion of the first preformed wire engages the first feedthrough pin.