Abstract:
A co-connected hermetic feedthrough, feedthrough capacitor, and leadwire assembly includes a dielectric substrate with a via hole disposed through the dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A conductive fill is disposed within the via forming a hermetic seal and is electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A feedthrough capacitor is attached to the dielectric substrate and includes a capacitor dielectric substrate, an unfilled capacitor via hole including an inner metallization, a set of capacitor active electrode plates electrically coupled to the inner metallization, an outer metallization disposed and a set of capacitor ground electrode plates electrically coupled to the outer metallization. A conductive leadwire is disposed within the unfilled capacitor via hole. An electrical joint connects the conductive fill, the capacitor inner metallization along with the capacitor active electrode plates and the conductive leadwire.
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 filtered feedthrough includes a chip capacitor disposed on a circuit board on a device side. A first low impedance electrical connection is between a capacitor first end metallization and a conductor which is disposed through an insulator. A second low impedance electrical connection is between the capacitor second end metallization and a ferrule or housing. The second low impedance electrical connection may include an oxide-resistant electrical connection forming the hermetic seal between the insulator and the ferrule or housing and an electrical connection between and to the second end metallization and directly to the oxide-resistant electrical connection. Alternatively, the second low impedance electrical connection may include an oxide-resistant metal addition attached directly to the ferrule or housing and an electrical connection between and to the second end metallization and directly to the oxide-resistant metal addition.
Abstract:
An RF filter for an active medical device (AMD), for handling RF power induced in an associated lead from an external RF field at a selected MRI frequency or range frequencies includes a capacitor having a capacitance of between 100 and 10,000 picofarads, and a temperature stable dielectric having a dielectric constant of 200 or less and a temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) within the range of plus 400 to minus 7112 parts per million per degree centigrade. The capacitor's dielectric loss tangent in ohms is less than five percent of the capacitor's equivalent series resistance (ESR) at the selected MRI RF frequency or range of frequencies.
Abstract:
A co-fired hermetically sealed feedthrough is attachable to an active implantable medical device. The feedthrough comprises an alumina dielectric substrate comprising at least 96 or 99% alumina. A via hole is disposed through the alumina dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A substantially closed pore, fritless and substantially pure platinum fill is disposed within the via hole forming a platinum filled via electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A hermetic seal is between the platinum fill and the alumina dielectric substrate, wherein the hermetic seal comprises a tortuous and mutually conformal interface between the alumina dielectric substrate and the platinum fill.
Abstract:
A co-fired hermetically sealed feedthrough is attachable to an active implantable medical device. The feedthrough comprises an alumina dielectric substrate comprising at least 96 or 99% alumina. A via hole is disposed through the alumina dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A substantially closed pore, fritless and substantially pure platinum fill is disposed within the via hole forming a platinum filled via electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A hermetic seal is between the platinum fill and the alumina dielectric substrate, wherein the hermetic seal comprises a tortuous and mutually conformal interface between the alumina dielectric substrate and the platinum fill.
Abstract:
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).
Abstract:
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 layer 165 is 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.
Abstract:
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° C. to about 700° C. for a minimum of 4 hours; a sintering heating portion performed at a temperature ranging from about 1,400° C. to about 1,900° C. for up to 6 hours; and a cool down portion at a rate of up to 5°/minute from a maximum sintering temperature down to about 1,000° 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.
Abstract:
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.