Pacesetter, Inc.

Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Siemens-pacesetter, Inc.

Stephen M Jones

Arthur A Campbell

Jeffrey L Pennala

Klaus Kleine

Brad Whitney

Phong D Doan

Sergey Safarevich

Jason Fox

Jeryle L Walter

David E Mueller

Yu-Chun Ku

Robert J Hodge, Jr

Jerlye L Walter

An improved expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and an improved method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam originating from a diode pumped fiber laser with an external pulse generator and passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled. To optimize the cut, the laser parameters may be adjusted and/or the laser pulse may be shaped.

Pulsed fiber laser cutting system for medical implants

An improved expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and an improved method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cut cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements, the elements having a rectangular cross-section from cut-to-cut. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements are disposed in an undulating pattern. The stent is manufactured by direct laser cutting from a single metal tube using a finely focused laser beam originating from a diode pumped fiber laser with an external pulse generator and passing through a coaxial gas jet structure to impinge on the working surface of the tube as the linear and rotary velocity of the tube is precisely controlled.

A method of joining a longitudinally extending wound element, or coiled wire strand, and a mating component, or post, of a body implantable lead assembly wherein the former has a longitudinally extending interior passage and an end portion adapted to be received by the latter. In one embodiment, the post is formed with an integral collar spaced from a terminal end thereof. The wound element is placed about the receiving portion and over the terminal end of the mating component and against the collar. The components are then joined by thermally fusing them together, preferably by means of a laser. If the collar and the wound element are fabricated of the same alloy, the thickness of the collar and the diameter of the coiled wire strand are designed to be substantially equal. If the components are fabricated of dissimilar alloys, then the thickness of the collar is relatively dimensioned with respect to the diameter of the strand in proportion to the relative square roots of thermal diffusivity of the alloy of the collar and of the alloy of the coiled wire strand. In another embodiment, a ring member is placed about, and in engagement with, the receiving portion of the mating component. Then the components are joined, by thermally fusing them together, preferably by targeting a laser beam directly on the ring member, without regard to whether the components are fabricated of the same alloy or of different alloys.

Laser-welded joint

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

A method is presented of welding an electrically conductive termination component having first and second opposed surfaces to an electrically conductive elongate member extending to a terminal end. The method comprises the steps of forming a substantially circular aperture through the termination component and defined by a rim having a diameter substantially equivalent to the transverse dimension of the elongate member. The terminal end of the elongate member is positioned proximate the termination component overlying the rim of the aperture such that the longitudinal axis of the elongate member is generally coplanar with the center of the aperture. Then, a laser beam is directed transversely of the termination component through the aperture therein toward and onto the elongate member to simultaneously melt the elongate member and the termination component in the region of the aperture and create a mixture of the molten material of both the elongate member and the termination component within the aperture. Upon the cessation of operation of the laser beam, the mixture of the molten material solidifies within the aperture and between the termination component and the elongate member to thereby achieve a welded connection between the elongate member and the termination component. In a preferred embodiment, a ball member is formed at an end of the elongate member and the rim of the aperture in the termination component has a diameter smaller than that of the ball member and the ball member is positioned in engagement with the rim of the aperture.

Laser-welded ball-and-socket connection

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.

Technique for laser welding dissimilar metals

Technique for welding dissimilar metals

A joint and method of making a joint for providing a secure mechanical and electrical connection between a longitudinally extending coiled or wound element and a terminal on a mating component in a body implantable lead assembly. The wound element has an end portion threadedly received by a post on the terminal. A ring is disposed about the end portion of the wound element. The ring, the end portion of the wound element and the post are joined at at least one location along the circumference of the ring, preferably by thermally fusing these parts using a pulsed laser. The ring has a thin wall and is preferably made of the same biocompatible metallic alloy as the wound element.

Joint for providing a secure connection between a wound element and a

A defibrillator patch lead having a connecting element interconnecting an electrical conductor and a wire mesh electrode pad. The connecting element includes a body portion which has a slot cut therein into which a portion of the wire mesh electrode is inserted and securely bonded, preferably by laser welding. The connecting element further includes a female connector portion which is designed to mate with a male core sleeve. The core sleeve includes a channel for receiving a first conductor therein, which is then electrically and mechanically connected (e.g., by either welding or crimping). The core sleeve also includes an orifice for receiving a second conductor, which is subsequently electrically and mechanically connected (e.g., by either welding or crimping) between the core sleeve and the connecting element. Advantageously, the combination of the core sleeve, two conductors, and the connecting element have superior pull strength over conventional methods of attachment. Furthermore, the use of two conductors provides additional redundancy in the event one conductor fails.

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Canyon Country, CA, United States of America

Stephen M Jones