Greatbatch Ltd.

Maxwell Energy Products, Inc.

Greatbatch-sierra, Inc

Jason Woods

Robert A Stevenson

Christine A Frysz

Richard L Brendel

Keith W Seitz

Thomas Marzano

Dominick J Frustaci

William C Thiebolt

Xiaohong Tang

Steven W Winn

Buehl E Truex

Christopher Michael Williams

John E Roberts

Warren S Dabney

Robert Naugler

Marc Gregory Martino

Robert Shawn Johnson

Brian P Hohl

Dallas J Rensel

Jonathan Calamel

Donald K Haskell

Jose Luis Lorente-Adame

Scott W Kelley

Haitong Zeng

Donald H Hickel, Jr

Mike Louder

Bruehl E Truex

Ricahrd L Brendel

Dominck J Frustaci

William Thiebolt, Iii

Waren S Dabney

Donald Hickel

A self-centering ceramic washer is positioned between a feedthrough and a filter circuit board. The washer has openings through which first and second terminal pins extend. A first opening has an inner arcuate portion contacting the first terminal pin and an outer perimeter portion exposing the braze sealing the terminal pin to the insulator. A second opening has an inner arcuate portion contacting the second terminal pin and an outer perimeter portion exposing the braze sealing the terminal pin to the insulator. In an imaginary configuration with the first and second washer openings superimposed one on top of the other, the cumulative arcuate distance of the inner arcuate portions about one of the terminal pins, subtracting overlap, results in a gap between the superimposed washer openings that is less than a diameter of the first and second terminal pins so that the washer is prevented from lateral movement.

Self-centering ceramic washer

Self-centering ceramic washer that prevents misalignment when positioned between a feedthrough and an EMI filter capacitor or a circuit board supporting EMI filter capacitors for a medical device

A self-centering washer is positioned between a feedthrough and a filter circuit board. The washer has openings through which first and second terminal pins extend. A first opening has an inner arcuate portion contacting the first terminal pin and an outer perimeter portion exposing the braze sealing the terminal pin to the insulator. A second opening has an inner arcuate portion contacting the second terminal pin and an outer perimeter portion exposing the braze sealing the terminal pin to the insulator. In an imaginary configuration with the first and second washer openings superimposed one on top of the other, the cumulative arcuate distance of the inner arcuate portions about one of the terminal pins, subtracting overlap, results in a gap between the superimposed washer openings that is less than a diameter of the first and second terminal pins so that the washer is prevented from lateral movement.

Self-centering polymeric washer that prevents misalignment when positioned between a feedthrough and a circuit board supporting EMI filter capacitors for a medical device

A hermetically sealed feedthrough assembly for an active implantable medical device having an oxide-resistant electrical attachment for connection to an EMI filter, an EMI filter circuit board, an AIMD circuit board, or AIMD electronics. The oxide-resistant electrical attachment, including an oxide-resistant coating layer that is disposed on the device side surface of the hermetic seal ferrule over which an optional ECA stripe may be provided. The optional ECA stripe may comprise one of a thermal-setting electrically conductive adhesive, an electrically conductive polymer, an electrically conductive epoxy, an electrically conductive silicone, an electrically conductive polyamide, or an electrically conductive polyimide, such as those manufactured by Ablestick Corporation. The oxide-free coating layer may comprise one of gold, platinum, palladium, silver, iridium, rhenium, rhodium, tantalum, tungsten, niobium, zirconium, vanadium, and combinations or alloys thereof. As used herein, the oxide-free coating layer is not limiting and as will be taught, in addition to sputtering, there are many other methods of applying a proud oxide-free surface on either an AIMD ferrule or an AIMD housing.

Electrically conductive coating applied to an oxidizable surface of an AIMD ferrule or housing to provide an oxide-resistant connection to an EMI filter capacitor, an EMI filter circuit or AIMD electronic circuits and components

A self-centering washer is positioned between the feedthrough and filter capacitor of a filtered feedthrough. The washer has openings through which first and second terminal pins extend. A first opening has an inner arcuate portion contacting the first terminal pin and an outer perimeter portion exposing the braze sealing the terminal pin to the insulator. A second opening has an inner arcuate portion contacting the second terminal pin and an outer perimeter portion exposing the braze sealing the terminal pin to the insulator. In an imaginary configuration with the first and second washer openings superimposed one on top of the other, the cumulative arcuate distance of the inner arcuate portions about one of the terminal pins, subtracting overlap, results in a gap between the superimposed washer openings that is less than a diameter of the first and second terminal pins so that the washer is prevented from lateral movement.

Shaped insulating washer that prevents misalignment when positioned between a filter capacitor and a feedthrough

A feedthrough for an AIMD is described. The feedthrough includes an electrically conductive ferrule having a ferrule sidewall defining a ferrule opening. The ferrule sidewall has a height. At least one recessed pocket has a depth extending part-way through the height of the ferrule. An oxide-resistant pocket-pad is nested in the recessed pocket. An electrical connection material is supported on the pocket-pad for making an oxide-resistant electrical connection to the ferrule. An insulator is hermetically sealed to the ferrule in the ferrule opening. At least one active via hole extends through the insulator with an active conductive pathway residing in and hermetically sealed to the insulator in the active via hole.

Electrical connection for a hermetic terminal for an active implantable medical device utilizing a ferrule pocket

A hermetically sealed feedthrough assembly for an active implantable medical device having an oxide-resistant electrical attachment for connection to an EMI filter, an EMI filter circuit board, an AIMD circuit board, or AIMD electronics. The oxide-resistant electrical attachment, including an oxide-resistant sputter layeris disposed on the device side surface of the hermetic seal ferrule over which an ECA stripe is provided. The ECA stripe may comprise one of a thermal-setting electrically conductive adhesive, an electrically conductive polymer, an electrically conductive epoxy, an electrically conductive silicone, an electrically conductive polyimides, or an electrically conductive polyimide, such as those manufactured by Ablestick Corporation. The oxide-free electrical attachment between the ECA stripe and the filter or AIMD circuits may comprise one of gold, platinum, palladium, silver, iridium, rhenium, rhodium, tantalum, tungsten, niobium, zirconium, vanadium, and combinations or alloys thereof.

ECA oxide-resistant connection to a hermetic seal ferrule for an active implantable medical device

A hermetically sealed feedthrough assembly for an active implantable medical device having an oxide-resistant electrical attachment for connection to an EMI filter, an EMI filter circuit board, an AIMD circuit board, or AIMD electronics. The oxide-resistant electrical attachment, including an oxide-resistant sputter layeris disposed on the device side surface of the hermetic seal ferrule over which an ECA stripe is provided. The ECA stripe may comprise one of a thermal-setting electrically conductive adhesive, an electrically conductive polymer, an electrically conductive epoxy, an electrically conductive silicone, an electrically conductive polyimide, or a thermal-setting electrically conductive polyimide, such as those manufactured by Ablestick Corporation. The oxide-free electrical attachment between the ECA stripe and the filter or AIMD circuits may comprise one of gold, platinum, palladium, silver, iridium, rhenium, rhodium, tantalum, tungsten, niobium, zirconium, vanadium, and combinations or alloys thereof.

A hermetically sealed filtered feedthrough for an active implantable medical device includes a first conductive leadwire extending from a first end to a second end, the first leadwire second end extending outwardly beyond the device side of an insulator hermetically sealed to a ferrule for the feedthrough. A circuit board supporting a chip capacitor is disposed adjacent to a device side of the insulator and has a circuit board passageway. The first leadwire first end resides in the circuit board passageway. A second conductive leadwire on the device side has a second leadwire first end disposed in the circuit board passageway with a second leadwire second end extending outwardly beyond the circuit board to be connectable to AIMD internal electronics. The second leadwire first end is connected to the first leadwire first end and a capacitor internal metallization in the circuit board passageway. The circuit board further comprises a ground electrode plate that is connected to the ground termination of the chip capacitor and to the ferrule.

Hermetic terminal for an AIMD having a pin joint in a feedthrough capacitor or circuit board

An enhanced RF switchable filtered feedthrough for real-time identification of the electrical and physical integrity of an implanted AIMD lead includes a DOUBLE POLE RF switch disposed on the device side. Additionally, the RF switchable filtered feedthrough can optionally include transient voltage suppressors (TVS) and an MRI mode. In an embodiment, a DOUBLE POLE RF switch selectively disconnects EMI filter capacitors so that an RF test/interrogation signal is sent from the AIMD down into an implanted lead(s). The reflected RF signal is then analyzed to assess implanted lead integrity including lead body anomalies, lead insulation defects, and/or lead conductor defects. The Double Pole switch is configured to be controlled by an AIMD control signal to switch between FIRST and SECOND THROW positions. In the FIRST THROW position a conductive leadwire hermetically sealed to and disposed through an insulator is electrically connected to a filter capacitor, which is then electrically connected to the ferrule of a hermetic feedthrough of an AIMD. In the FIRST THROW position, EMI energy imparted to a body fluid side implanted lead can be diverted to the housing of the AIMD. In the SECOND THROW position the conductive leadwire is electrically connected to an RF source disposed on the device side of the housing of the AIMD. While in the SECOND THROW position, a reflective return signal from the RF source is measured and analyzed to determine if the implanted AIMD lead exhibits any life-threatening performance issues, such as lead body anomalies, lead insulation defects or changes, or even defective, fractured or dislodged lead conductors. In another embodiment, a SINGLE POLE RF switch is configured to disconnect filter capacitors during the delivery of a high-voltage cardioversion shock from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Dis-connection of the filter capacitor either reduces or eliminates filter capacitor pulse inrush currents, which allows for the use of standard low-voltage filter capacitors instead of larger and more expensive high-voltage pulse rated filter capacitors. Dis-connection of the filter capacitor also allows for an RF interrogation pulse to be applied to the implanted lead in real-time (for example, pre-set intervals throughout the day).

RF switch and an EMI filter capacitor for an AIMD connected in series between a feedthrough active conductor and system ground

A filter feedthrough for an AIMD includes an electrically conductive ferrule. An insulator hermetically seals a ferrule opening with either a first gold braze, a ceramic seal, a glass seal or a glass-ceramic seal. At least one conductive pathway is hermetically sealed to and disposed through the insulator body in non-conductive relationship with the ferrule. A feedthrough capacitor includes at least one active and ground electrode plate disposed within a capacitor dielectric and electrically connected to a capacitor active metallization and a capacitor ground metallization, respectively. At least a first edge of the feedthrough capacitor extends beyond a first outermost edge of the ferrule. At least a second edge of the feedthrough capacitor does not extend beyond a second outermost edge of the ferrule, or said differently, the second edge is either aligned with or setback from the second outermost edge of the ferrule.

Hermetic terminal for an active implantable medical device having a feedthrough capacitor partially overhanging a ferrule for high effective capacitance area

A method for making a dielectric substrate configured for incorporation into a hermetically sealed feedthrough is described. The method includes forming a via hole through a green-state dielectric substrate. A platinum-containing paste is filled into at least 90% of the volume of the via hole. The green-state dielectric substrate is then subjected to a heating protocol including: a binder bake-out heating portion performed at a temperature ranging from about 400&#xb0; C. to about 700&#xb0; C. for a minimum of 4 hours; a sintering heating portion performed at a temperature ranging from about 1,400&#xb0; C. to about 1,900&#xb0; C. for up to 6 hours; and a cool down portion at a rate of up to 5&#xb0;/minute from a maximum sintering temperature down to about 1,000&#xb0; C., then naturally to room temperature. The thusly manufacture dielectric substrate is then positioned in an opening in a ferrule that is configured to be attached to a metal housing of an active implantable medical device. The dielectric substrate is hermetically sealed to the ferrule with the sintered platinum material in the via hole providing a conductive pathway from a body fluid side to a device side of the ferrule.

Method for providing a hermetically sealed feedthrough with co-fired filled via for an active implantable medical device

AIMD RF switch to connect an ICD defibrillation electrode conductor either to a filter capacitor or to an RF source configured to detect a defective implanted lead

A feedthrough separates a body fluid side from a device side. A passageway is disposed through the feedthrough. A body fluid side leadwire extends from a first end disposed inside the passageway to a second end on the body fluid side. A device side leadwire extends from a first end disposed inside the passageway to a second end on the device side. The body fluid side leadwire is hermetically sealed to the feedthrough body and is not of the same material as the device side leadwire. A circuit board has an active via hole with a second end of the second leadwire residing therein. The circuit board has an active circuit trace that is electrically connectable to electronic circuits housed in an AIMD, and a circuit board ground metallization. An active electrical path extends from the first leadwire to the second leadwire to an MLCC chip capacitor mounted on the circuit board and to the circuit board active circuit trace, and a ground electrical path extends from the MLCC chip capacitor to the circuit board ground metallization and then to the ferrule.

Circuit board mounted filtered feedthrough assembly having a composite conductive lead for an AIMD

A method for manufacturing a feedthrough dielectric body for an active implantable medical device includes the steps of first forming a ceramic reinforced metal composite (CRMC) paste by mixing platinum with a ceramic material to form a CRMC material, subjecting the CRMC material to a first sintering step to thereby form a sintered CRMC material, ball-milling or grinding the sintered CRMC material to form a powdered CRMC material; and then mixing the powdered CRMC material with a solvent to form the CRMC paste. The method further includes forming an alumina ceramic body in a green state, forming at least one via hole through the alumina ceramic body, filling the via hole with the CRMC paste, drying the ceramic body including the CRMC paste to form a first CRMC material filling the via hole, forming a second via hole through the first CRMC material, providing a metal core in the second via hole, and subjecting the ceramic body including the first CRMC material and the metal core to a second sintering step to thereby form the dielectric body. The dielectric body is then sealed in a ferrule opening to form a feedthrough.

Growing community of inventors

Carson City, NV, United States of America

Jason Woods