Pacesetter, Inc.

Jeffrey L Pennala

Stephen M Jones

Arthur A Campbell

Particularly applicable to implantable stimulation devices, a system is provided for laser-welding an electrically conductive elongate member, typically a lead, or elongate member, interconnecting operating components of a stimulation device. A bore is formed in a termination component for the slidable reception of the elongate member. Also formed in the termination component is an aperture in communication with the bore and having an axis which extends in a direction transverse that of the axis of the bore. The elongate member is positioned so it extends through the bore in the termination component and is thereby coplanar with and intersects the axis of the aperture. Thereupon, a laser beam, which may be from a pulse laser, is directed transversely of the elongate member through the aperture in the termination component and onto the elongate member to simultaneously melt the elongate member and the termination component in the region of the aperture and create a homogeneous mix of the molten material of both the elongate member and the termination component within the aperture. Then, operation of the laser beam is discontinued to allow solidification of the homogeneous mix of the molten material within the aperture to thereby achieve a welded connection between the elongate member and the termination component. The aperture in the termination component must be large enough to allow the laser beam to pass therethrough yet small enough to allow the melt of the rim of the aperture and the elongate member simultaneously.

System for laser-welding components of an implantable device

For an implantable medical devices, a system is provided for welding electrically conductive ribbon, typically stainless steel, to electrically conductive wire, typically platinum, the melting point of steel being substantially lower than that of platinum. An aperture is formed in the ribbon having an opening smaller than that of the wire. The ribbon is engaged with the wire such that the aperture is generally coextensive with the wire. Thereupon, a pulse laser beam is directed transversely of the ribbon through the aperture and onto the wire to simultaneously melt the wire and the ribbon and to create a homogeneous mix of the molten steel and platinum in the region surrounding the aperture. Thereafter, operation of the laser beam is discontinued to allow solidification and thereby achieve a welded connection between the ribbon and the wire.

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Long Beach, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey L Pennala