Patent ID: 7155283

Claim:
An implantable medical device having a connector header adapted to be coupled through the use of a tool to an electrical lead connector element of an elongated electrical medical lead, wherein: the connector header is formed of a dielectric header body having at least one header connector bore and a header grommet aperture having a grommet aperture sidewall; a connector block is disposed within the connector header having a threaded bore aligned with the header grommet aperture and a connector block bore aligned with the header connector bore adapted to receive the lead connector element when a proximal connector assembly of the elongated electrical medical lead is received in the header connector bore; a setscrew is threaded into the threaded bore having a setscrew socket disposed to be engaged by the tool to enable rotation of the setscrew within the threaded bore to tighten the setscrew against or to loosen the setscrew from a lead connector element received in the header connector bore; and a penetrable grommet is disposed within the header grommet aperture, the penetrable grommet comprising a generally cylindrical elastomer body having a grommet central axis and including a pre-formed resealable slit extending between opposed grommet inner and outer end walls enabling passage of the tool therethrough into the setscrew socket for rotating the setscrew and sealing of the pre-formed slit upon withdrawal of the tool, the elastomer body comprising a compound of silicone rubber filled with an additive decreasing the tendency of slit healing over time and facilitating passage of the tool therethrough into the setscrew socket for rotating the setscrew and sealing of the slit upon withdrawal of the tool.