over a significant portion of and mechanically couple to inner compliant component 121 shield component 122 may also be adapted to fit over a portion or all of antenna component 123 when header 120 is fully assembled and stimulation leads are placed in header 120 through strain relief elements 132 the various conductive elements are sealed within the components of header 100 specifically when implantable pulse generator 100 is implanted within a patient the electrical components are sealed and are prevented from contacting bodily fluids additionally shield component 122 is fabricated from a relatively hard material to prevent damage to or puncture of compliant inner component 121 specifically if a sharp object used during the implantation procedure were to contact compliant inner component directly compliant inner component 121 could be punctured somewhat easily the puncture could allow entry of body fluids and cause the patient to experience electrical stimulation in the subcutaneous implantation pocket by utilizing a suitable material for shield component 122 compliant inner component 121 is protected from sharp surgical tools needles staples and the like an example of a suitable material for shield component 122 is a relatively high durometer bionate u00ae polycarbonate urethane header 120 comprises antenna component 123 to facilitate rf communication between the implantable pulse generator 100 and an exterior controller device not shown the exterior shell of antenna component 123 is preferably a relative high durometer polymer in one preferred embodiment the.