Patent ID: 7167749

Claim:
A header assembly for connecting an implantable medical device to a conductor lead terminating at a body organ intended to be assisted by the medical device comprising a housing containing control circuitry, at least one electrical energy storage device, and at least one feedthrough wire extending from the control circuitry and through a wall of the housing, the header assembly comprising: a) a body mountable on the housing for the medical device, wherein the body has a sidewall extending to a bottom wall disposable immediately adjacent to the medical device housing and wherein a connection inlet is provided in the body sidewall extending to the bottom wall at the sidewall; b) at least one terminal supported by the body, wherein the terminal is directly connectable to the conductor lead; and c) an intermediate conductor supported by the body, the intermediate conductor having a distal end connected to the terminal and a proximal end comprising a step residing in the connection inlet in the body and there being securable to the feedthrough wire in a lap joint construction.