Abstract:
A miniature electrochemical cell having a total volume that is less than 0.5 cc is described. The cell casing is formed by joining two ceramic casing halves together. One or both casing halves are machined from ceramic to provide a recess that is sized and shaped to contain the electrode assembly. The opposite polarity terminals are metal feedthroughs, such as of gold, and are formed by brazing gold into openings machined into one or both of ceramic casing halves. A thin film metallization, such as of titanium, contacts an edge periphery of each ceramic casing half. The first ceramic casing half is moved into registry with the second ceramic casing half so that the first and second ring-shaped metallizations contact each other. Then, a laser welds through one of the casing halves being a substantially transparent ceramic, for example sapphire, to braze the first and second ring-shaped metallizations to each other to thereby join the first and second casing halves together to form a casing housing the electrode assembly. A solid electrolyte (LixPOyNz) activates the electrode assembly.
Abstract:
A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly comprising a terminal pin connector is described. The terminal pin connector is designed to facilitate an electrical connection between the terminal pin comprising a multitude of compositions to a circuit board of an implantable medical device. The terminal pin connector comprises a clip portion positioned within a connector housing. The connector clip mechanically attaches to the terminal pin of the feedthrough with at least one prong and an exterior surface of the connector housing electrically contacts the circuit board, creating an electrical connection therebetween. The connector housing comprises a material that is conducive to a weld or solder attachment process to the circuit board. The feedthrough filter capacitor assembly is particularly useful for incorporation into implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and the like, to decouple and shield internal electronic components of the medical device from undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a singulated feedthrough insulator for a hermetic seal of an active implantable medical device (AIMD) is described. The method begins with forming a green-state ceramic bar with a via hole filled with a conductive paste. The green-state ceramic bar is dried to convert the paste to an electrically conductive material filling via hole and then subjected to a pressing step. Following pressing, a green-state insulator is singulated from the green-state ceramic bar. The singulated green-state insulator in next sintered to form an insulator that is sized and shaped for hermetically sealing to close a ferrule opening. The thusly produced feedthrough is suitable installation in an opening in the housing of an active implantable medical device.
Abstract:
A hermetically sealed feedthrough subassembly attachable to an active implantable medical device includes a first conductive leadwire extending from a first end to a second end, the first conductive leadwire first end disposed past a device side of an insulator body. A feedthrough filter capacitor is disposed on the device side. A second conductive leadwire is disposed on the device side having a second conductive leadwire first end at least partially disposed within a first passageway of the feedthrough filter capacitor and having a second conductive leadwire second end disposed past the feedthrough filter capacitor configured to be connectable to AIMD internal electronics. The second conductive leadwire first end is at, near or adjacent to the first conductive leadwire first end. A first electrically conductive material forms a three-way electrical connection electrically connecting the second conductive leadwire first end, the first conductive leadwire first end and a capacitor internal metallization.
Abstract:
An insulative feedthrough attachable to an active implantable medical device includes a feedthrough body having a material which is both electrically insulative, biocompatible and separates a body fluid side from a device side. A passageway is disposed through the feedthrough body. A composite conductor is disposed within the passageway and has a body fluid side metallic wire electrically conductive to a device side metallic wire. The body fluid side metallic wire extends from a first end disposed inside the passageway to a second end on the body fluid side. The device side metallic wire extends from a first end disposed inside the passageway to a second end on the device side. The body fluid side metallic wire is hermetically sealed to the feedthrough body. The body fluid side metallic wire is biocompatible and is not the same material as the device side metallic wire.
Abstract:
A hermetically sealed feedthrough for attachment to an active implantable medical device includes a dielectric substrate configured to be hermetically sealed to a ferrule or an AIMD housing. A via hole is disposed through the dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A conductive fill is disposed within the via hole forming a filled via electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A conductive insert is at least partially disposed within the conductive fill. Then, the conductive fill and the conductive insert are co-fired with the dielectric substrate to form a hermetically sealed and electrically conductive pathway through the dielectric substrate between the body fluid side and the device side.
Abstract:
A hermetically sealed feedthrough filter assembly is attachable to an active implantable medical device and includes an insulator substrate assembly and a feedthrough filter capacitor disposed on a device side. A conductive leadwire has a proximal leadwire end extending to a distal leadwire end, wherein the proximal leadwire end is connectable to electronics internal to the AIMD. The distal leadwire end is disposed at least partially through a first passageway of the feedthrough filter capacitor and is in contact with, adjacent to or near a device side conductive fill. A first electrically conductive material makes a three-way electrically connection that electrically connects the device side conductive fill to an internal metallization of the feedthrough filter capacitor and to the distal leadwire end. A second electrically conductive material electrically connects an external metallization of the feedthrough filter capacitor to a ferrule or an AIMD housing.
Abstract:
The high-voltage and/or high-frequency pulse dielectric breakdown strength (DBS) of an implantable medical device is increased by strategically positioning insulation materials on or adjacent to the external surfaces of a filter capacitor. Dielectric breakdown strength is further increased by adding polymeric or ceramic nanoscale metal oxide insulative powders to the insulation materials.
Abstract:
A miniature electrochemical cell having a total volume that is less than 0.5 cc is described. The cell casing is formed by joining two ceramic casing halves together. One or both casing halves are machined from ceramic to provide a recess that is sized and shaped to contain the electrode assembly. The opposite polarity terminals are metal feedthroughs, such as of gold, and are formed by brazing gold into openings machined into one or both of ceramic casing halves. A thin film metallization, such as of titanium, contacts an edge periphery of each ceramic casing half. The first ceramic casing half is moved into registry with the second ceramic casing half so that the first and second ring-shaped metallizations contact each other. Then, a laser welds through one of the casing halves being a substantially transparent ceramic, for example sapphire, to braze the first and second ring-shaped metallizations to each other to thereby join the first and second casing halves together to form a casing housing the electrode assembly. A solid electrolyte (LixPOyNz) activates the electrode assembly.
Abstract:
A hermetically sealed filtered feedthrough assembly attachable to an AIMD includes an insulator hermetically sealing the opening of a ferrule with a gold braze. The ferrule includes a peninsula extending into the ferrule opening and the insulator has a cutout matching the peninsula. A sintered platinum-containing paste hermetically seals at least one via hole extending through the insulator. At least one capacitor is disposed on the device side. An active electrical connection electrically connects the capacitor active metallization to the sintered paste. A ground electrical connection electrically connects the capacitor ground metallization disposed within a capacitor ground passageway to the portion of the gold braze along the ferrule peninsula. The dielectric of the capacitor may be less than 1,000 k.