Abstract: An implantable medical device connector assembly and method of manufacture include a molded, insulative shell having an inner surface forming a connector bore, a circuit member including a one or more traces extending through the shell; one or more conductive members positioned along the connector bore and electrically coupled to the traces; and sealing members positioned between the conductive members.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system that includes a housing containing an electrical circuit and a connector header mounted on the housing. A first inner surface of the connector header forms a connector bore adapted for receiving a lead connector assembly for electrically coupling a medical lead to the circuitry contained in the housing, and one of the connector header and the lead connector includes a visibly modified surface for facilitating visual verification of full insertion of the medical lead connector assembly in the connector bore.

Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.

Abstract: An insulative housing formed about a distal end of a medical electrical lead body includes a cavity and a port; an ionically conductive medium fills the cavity and is in intimate contact with an electrode surface contained within the cavity. When a current is delivered to the electrode surface contained within the cavity, a first current density generated at the electrode surface is smaller than a second current density generated out from the port of the insulative housing; thus, the port forms a high impedance and low polarization tissue-stimulating electrode.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) provides quadripolar transthoracic impedance measurement capability by forming at least one of the two electrodes associated with the canister of the device on a lead proximate the canister.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medical electrical device is presented. An inner diameter and an outer diameter of a connector ring is machined to form a first and a second flange extending from the inner diameter. An electric discharge machining wire burner is used to form a conductor channel in the inner diameter of the connector ring. A conductor is positioned within the conductor channel. A first distal end of the first flange is coupled to a second distal end of the second flange.

Abstract: An adaptor, including a housing and a flexible circuit, facilitates electrical connection between a connector of an implantable medical lead and an external medical device. The adaptor housing includes an inner surface forming a longitudinally extending connector receptacle and a first portion of the flexible circuit is adapted to be positioned within the connector receptacle, substantially conforming to the inner surface, such that at least one contact portion of the flexible circuit is directed inward and positioned in a location corresponding with at least one ring contact of the lead connector when the lead connector is engaged within the receptacle. A second portion of the flexible circuit is adapted to reside outside the housing such that at least one contact pad, coupled to the at least one contact portion via a conductive pathway, is accessible for coupling to at least one contact element of the external medical device.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongate lead connected to a pulse generator connector further includes a passive lossy circuit electrically connected in between a distal portion of the lead conductor and the high frequency-grounded surface. The passive lossy circuit has a high frequency impedance approximately equal to a characteristic impedance of the lead when implanted in a body and dissipates energy of an incident wave formed along the lead, thereby diminishing a reflection of the incident wave, the incident wave being induced by exposure of the medical device to a high frequency electromagnetic field. The passive lossy circuit further has low pass properties allowing for normal device operation.

Abstract: Electrical circuit apparatus and methods including hermeticity testing structures for testing the hermeticity of the electrical circuit apparatus.

Abstract: A core component of a medical electrical lead extends within an inner conductive surface of a conductive ring such that an outer surface of the core holds a portion of a conductor against the inner conductive surface for electrical contact therewith. The outer surface of the core may be deformed by a compressive force of the conductor portion having been forced against the inner surface of the ring. Such a conductor junction may be formed by pushing the ring over the core to capture the conductor portion between the ring and the core and thereby displace a layer of insulation surrounding the conductor portion. The inner surface of the ring preferably has a diameter at one, or both terminal ends that is greater than a diameter of the inner surface between the ends.

Abstract: A bonding tool for use in a laser bonding apparatus comprises an elongated body portion and a foot portion coupled thereto. The foot portion extends substantially transversely from the body portion and has a laser aperture and a guide channel therethrough. The guide channel is disposed between the body portion and the laser aperture.

Abstract: Methods are provided to suitably impregnate low surface energy separator materials with polar electrolyte in an electrolytic capacitor. Backfilling methods overcome the high contact angles exhibited by polar electrolytes on porous hydrophobic separators, forcing the electrolyte into the separator pores, thereby sufficiently impregnating the separator disposed between two electrodes within the capacitor assembly. Methods enable use of separators sans surfactant or surface modifications to improve wetting.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead includes a proximal insulation segment, a distal insulation segment, a conductor extending within the proximal and distal segments, and an electrode coupled to the conductor and disposed in proximity to a distal end of the distal insulation segment. A fixation element of the lead is coupled to a distal end of the proximal insulation segment and includes a wire wound in a helix, which extends distally from the proximal segment, over the distal insulation segment.

Abstract: A lead is connected to an integrated circuit in an implantable medical device in a lead bonding area that includes a lead-receiving recessed region. At least a portion of a lead conductor is bonded in the lead-receiving recessed region, making an electrical and mechanical connection to the integrated circuit that is strong and potentially biostable. In some embodiments, a filler material is provided around the recessed portion of the integrated circuit that receives the lead conductor, and a metal coating is provided around an outer surface of the filler material for additional mechanical stability.

Abstract: A supply circuit for an implantable medical device (IMD) is presented. The supply circuit includes a battery, a high current circuit, a current-modifying component, a low current circuit, and a capacitor. The low current circuit is connected to a first terminal of the battery. A current-modifying component is connected to the battery, a capacitor, and to a high current circuit.

Abstract: A mapped location of one or more electrodes within an electrical mapping volume is superimposed onto an ultrasound image corresponding to the electrical mapping volume.

Abstract: A battery cell in an implantable medical device is presented. The battery cell includes an anode, a cathode, an insulator therebetween, and an electrolyte. The cathode includes silver vanadium oxide and fluorinated carbon (CFx). The CFx includes fluorine at greater than or equal to 61 percentage (%) by weight.

Abstract: A method of locating a target site for delivering a therapy to a patient that includes advancing a delivery device having a steerable portion and a deflectable tip having a tapered portion to an area along a first site. A contrast media is delivered through a thru lumen and outward from a distal end of the delivery device in fluid communication with the thru lumen to position the contrast media along the first site and the delivery device is further advanced toward the first site and within the first site, or the delivery device is further advanced toward the first site and within the first site without the contrast. The contrast media is then delivered from the distal end of the delivery device within the first site to locate the target site.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed microelectromechanical system (MEMS) package includes a MEMS switch having a movable portion and a stationary portion with an electrical contact thereon. A glass lid is anodically bonded to the MEMS switch to form a sealed cavity over the movable portion of the MEMS switch. The glass lid includes a contact aperture to allow access to the electrical contact on the stationary portion of the MEMS switch. A family of body-implantable hermetically-sealed MEMS packages are provided according to certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A determination of an equivalent series resistance (ESR) effect for high frequency filtering performance of a filtered feed-through assembly is described. A low frequency signal is introduced to a filtered feed-through assembly. ESR limit of the filtered feed-through is determined based on the low frequency signal.