Abstract:
A hermetic feedthrough consisting of a niobium electrical lead-in wire surrounded by an alumina insulator which is carried by a niobium ferrule, the feedthrough being particularly adapted for being welded to the titanium container of an implantable medical device. The niobium and alumina parts are joined together by means of a pure gold braze, the surfaces of the alumina being first metallized with a layer of niobium, titanium or niobium/titanium and an optional overlying layer of gold.
Abstract:
Systems and techniques for determining in vivo mechanical load exerted on an implanted medical device (IMD) are described. A transfer function for determining a normal force exerted by a muscle based on an in-line force and muscle parameters is also described.
Abstract:
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) and their various components, including flat electrolytic capacitors for same, and methods of making and using same and providing for outgassing of gases released during capacitor charge and discharge cycles are disclosed. A gas vent and liquid electrolyte barrier into the electrolyte fill tube lumen that is used to fill the interior case chamber with electrolyte and then needs to be closed to prevent leakage of electrolyte. The fill port is shaped to comprise a fill port tube having interior and exterior tube ends and a fill port ferrule intermediate the ends of the fill port tube and comprising a fill port ferrule flange extending trasversely to and away from the fill port tube. The fill port ferrule is mounted in an opening disposed in one of the case wall and the cover wall with the ferrule flange in seaing engagement therewith to locate the exterior tube end extending outwardly away from the fill port ferrule flange and the interior tube end within the interior case chamber. A microporous plug is injected into and fills the fill port lumen, the plug formed of a microporous material allowing the escape of gas released from the liquid electrolyte during capacitor charging while preventing escape of liquid or vaporized electrolyte.
Abstract:
An implantable medical device such as a defibrillator is described. The device includes an hermetically sealed housing containing a flat electrolytic capacitor and an energy source such as a battery. The battery is connected to the capacitor and provides charge thereto. The capacitor stores the charge at a relatively high voltage. The charge stored in the capacitor is discharged through a defibrillation lead to a site on or in the heart when fibrillation of the heart is detected by the implantable medical device. Methods of making and using the implantable medical device, the capacitor, and their various components are disclosed.
Abstract:
An implantable medical device such as a defibrillator is described. The device includes an hermetically sealed housing containing a flat electrolytic capacitor and an energy source such as a battery. The battery is connected to the capacitor and provides charge thereto. The capacitor stores the charge at a relatively high voltage. The charge stored in the capacitor is discharged through a defibrillation lead to a site on or in the heart when fibrillation of the heart is detected by the implantable medical device. Methods of making and using the implantable medical device, the capacitor, and their various components are disclosed.
Abstract:
A hermetically sealed implantable medical device is provided with a multi-pin arrangement including selected glass to metal or ceramic to metal seals for a feedthrough of the compression seal or matched seal type.
Abstract:
A medical lead which has a connector assembly coupled to an electrode by a lead body, the lead body is designed so as to have greater resistance to crush fatigue in the area which is located between the rib and clavicle when implanted. In particular the lead body of the present invention features an insulative sheath covering a coiled conductor. The coiled conductor has three sections, viz., proximal, intermediate and distal sections. The intermediate section has a different pitch as compared to proximal section and distal section. In the preferred embodiment, intermediate section has a pitch of approximately 0.100 while proximal section has a pitch of approximately 0.025 and distal section has a pitch of approximately 0.025. Moreover, intermediate section has a length of approximately 10.4 inches while proximal section has a length of approximately 5.1 inches and distal section has a length of approximately 7.2 inches. In such a manner the lead of the present invention presents a coiled conductor having a greater pitch in the area in which crush fatigue between the clavicle and rib is likely to occur.
Abstract:
A lithium halide button cell formed of simplified sub-assemblies including one such subassembly in which molten cathode material is poured into a retaining ring and allowed to solidify therein before incorporation into the cell.
Abstract:
A medical electrical lead of the type which includes an electrode at a distal end of the lead a connector at a proximal end of the lead and an elongated electrical conductor extending between the electrode and the connector. The conductor is comprised of a wire wound in a coil configuration with the wire comprised of a super austenitic stainless steel having a composition of at least 22% nickel and 2% molybdenum. Material of such composition has been found to have suitable conductivity for use with implantable pulse generators and suitable fatigue strength when used in endocardial lead placement. Moreover, such material has been found to pass tests intended to detect metal ion oxidation (MIO) in polymeric materials.
Abstract:
A core component of a medical electrical lead extends within an inner conductive surface of a conductive ring such that an outer surface of the core holds a portion of a conductor against the inner conductive surface for electrical contact therewith. The outer surface of the core may be deformed by a compressive force of the conductor portion having been forced against the inner surface of the ring. Such a conductor junction may be formed by pushing the ring over the core to capture the conductor portion between the ring and the core and thereby displace a layer of insulation surrounding the conductor portion. The inner surface of the ring preferably has a diameter at one, or both terminal ends that is greater than a diameter of the inner surface between the ends.