Abstract:
New alloys containing gold, vanadium, yttrium and/or scandium, optionally including niobium. The alloys are particularly suitable for brazing and for metallizing, most particularly for brazing hermetic ceramic-metal seals. Unique brazing structures and methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An electrical interconnect structure for an implantable medical device includes a feedthrough that has a pin extending therefrom. The pin defines a first end and a middle portion. A bonding surface is formed at the first end of the pin, and the bonding surface has a surface area greater than a cross-sectional area of the pin at its middle portion.
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 transversely 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 sealing 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:
A feed-through assembly for an IMD and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The feed-through assembly has a ferrule having a first aperture disposed therethrough. An insulating member is disposed at least partially within the first aperture. The insulating member has a second aperture, an inside surface and an outside surface. A metallization region overlies at least a portion of the inside surface and at least a portion of the outside surface of the insulating member. The metallization region is formed of a first layer of titanium and a second layer of niobium. A portion of a terminal pin of platinum is disposed through the second aperture. A first brazing seal is disposed between the insulating member and the ferrule and a second brazing seal is disposed between the insulating member and the terminal pin. The first and second brazing seals are formed of gold.
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:
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:
The present invention relates to centerless grinding methods and corresponding devices such as feedthroughs for implantable medical devices and for batteries for implantable medical devices. The present invention provides certain advantages, including the elimination of longitudinal anomalies in drawn wire and increasing the reliability of implantable medical devices. In a method of the present invention, the surface of an over-size medical grade wire having a known anomaly depth is centerless ground to a depth past which those anomalies disappear. Centerless grinding of the present invention may be accomplished using an abrasive wheel and suitable coolant.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to centerless grinding methods and corresponding devices such as feedthroughs for implantable medical devices and for batteries for implantable medical devices. The present invention provides certain advantages, including the elimination of longitudinal anomalies in drawn wire and increasing the reliability of implantable medical devices. In a method of the present invention, the surface of an over-size medical grade wire having a known anomaly depth is centerless ground to a depth past which those anomalies disappear. Centerless grinding of the present invention may be accomplished using an abrasive wheel and suitable coolant.
Abstract:
A body implanted device including a container having an opening through which extends an electrical feedthrough. The feedthrough includes a terminal of bio-stable material. A glass insulator is positioned around the terminal. The glass insulator is chosen from a CABAL-12 type composition or variation thereof. The terminal is comprised of a material which has thermal expansion characteristics compatible with the glass seal. For glass seals having a thermal expansion in the range of 6.8 to 8.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree.C. the terminal is comprised of a thin layer of titanium metallurgically clad over niobium or tantalum. For glass seals having a thermal expansion in the range of 8.0 to 9.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree.C. the terminal is comprised of platinum, platinum-iridium or alloys of either, or of pure titanium.