Medtronic, Inc.

Robert E Kraska

Joseph F Lessar

William John Taylor

James E Upton

Jennifer P Miller

James M Speckien

Duane L Rosenberg

Paul A Pignato

Mark D Breyen

Naim S Istephanous

Anthony R Rorvick

Jenn-Feng Yan

Louis E Halperin

Craig L Schmidt

William G Howard

Donald R Merritt

Paul M Skarstad

Douglas J Weiss

Fred J Berkowitz

Ian Courtney

Pieter M Mulier

Frank J Wilary

Mark D Bryen

A feedthrough arrangement includes a titanium alloy terminal for conducting electrical current between a first environment within a housing and a second environment outside of the housing. An insulating member is positioned around a portion of the terminal. A sleeve member is positioned around the insulating member. The terminal, insulating member, and insulating member all being in sealing engagement therewith to environmentally isolate the first and second environments.

Titanium alloy-pin battery feedthrough for an implantable medical device

A method of evaluating an electrochemical cell for a metallic contaminant-caused defect. The electrochemical cell is configured for use with an implantable medical device and includes an anode, a solid cathode and a liquid electrolyte. The method includes storing the cell at an elevated temperature following assembly for accelerating corrosion of possible metallic contaminants. A parameter of the cell related to cell voltage is then measured. An evaluation is made as to whether the cell is defective based upon this measured parameter.

Method and system for evaluating an electrochemical cell for use with an implantable medical device

A closed container is filled through a metal fill port which is then sealed with a rigid metal ball press fitted into the port passageway.

Hermetic closure seal

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.

Method of making an hermetically sealed implantable medical device having a vacuum-treated liquid electrolyte-filled flat electrolytic capacitor

Method of making a vacuum-treated liquid electrolyte-filled flat

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.

Body implanted device with electrical feedthrough

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.

A method of making a high reliability electrical connection in an implantable medical device. The electrical conductors may include metals such as niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, platinum, titanium, nickel and alloys thereof. The electrical conductors are resistance welded by establishing contact between the conductor pair, providing a protective atmosphere around the contacting pair, and applying electrical energy to the contacting pair to cause fusion while maintaining the protective atmosphere.

Implantable medical device with high reliability electrical connection

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.

Medical electrical lead with super austentic stainless steel conductor

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 duplex stainless steel having a composition of at least 22% chromium, 3% molybdenum and 5% nickel. 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.

Medical electrical lead

A lithium battery having a weldable feedthrough which is compatible with liquid electrolytes containing organic solvents and lithium salts under long term use conditions. The feedthrough comprises a pin of niobium or tantalum and ductile alloys thereof and a low silica insulating glass positioned around a portion of the pin in sealing engagement with the pin. The feedthrough is assembled into an aperture of the battery case where it provides an electrically conductive pathway from the anode or cathode to the exterior of the case and provides a hermetic seal.

Battery with weldable feedthrough

A medical electrical lead having a polyurethane outer sheath and one or more coiled metal conductors. The metal conductors are optimized for use in conjunction with a polyurethane sheath and are provided with a barrier coating of a biocompatible metal. The conductors may additionally be provided with an outer, insulative coating.

Medical electrical lead and method of manufacture

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.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Robert E Kraska