Abstract: Discrete cofired feedthrough filters are provided for medical implanted device applications. A plurality of discrete vertical feedthrough filter elements are respectively associated with a plurality of signal wires or pins otherwise supported by an insulating feedthrough and a ferrule. The resulting discrete device comprises a single-element device which is cheaper to make, and which reduces cross-talk between adjacent signal wires/pins while otherwise accommodating changes in feedthrough pitch without having to redesign the filter.

Abstract: Improved termination features for multilayer electronic components are disclosed. Monolithic components are provided with plated terminations whereby the need for typical thick-film termination stripes is eliminated or greatly simplified. Such termination technology eliminates many typical termination problems and enables a higher number of terminations with finer pitch, which may be especially beneficial on smaller electronic components. The subject plated terminations are guided and anchored by exposed internal electrode tabs and additional anchor tab portions which may optionally extend to the cover layers of a multilayer component. Such anchor tabs may be positioned internally or externally relative to a chip structure to nucleate additional metallized plating material. External anchor tabs positioned on top and bottom sides of a monolithic structure can facilitate the formation of wrap-around plated terminations.

Abstract: A method for producing modular electrical connectors having varying contact element configurations includes providing a common header component having a plurality of receptacle spaces defined therein. A plurality of different contact sub-assemblies are provided having varying contact element configurations, with each of sub-assembly having a common size configured for receipt in the receptacle spaces. A pattern of the contact sub-assemblies is defined for a particular desired connector configuration from any combination of the contact sub-assemblies, and the contact sub-assemblies are fitted and adhered into the receptacle spaces in the header component according to the pattern. A kit may be provided with the modular components for making the connectors.

Abstract: An electrical connector for use with wires is disclosed that includes an electrical contact and an insulated housing. The electrical contact includes a wire contact portion and a connector contact portion. The wire contact portion connects the electrical connector to a wire. The connector contact portion includes a male contact prong and a female contact socket. The electrical contact may be positioned within an insulated housing that is designed to connect both the male contact prong and the female contact socket when mated with another electrical device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a first wire to a second wire. More specifically, an apparatus that includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, an insulated housing, and a male contact prong (i.e., a shunt) is disclosed. In an embodiment, the first and second electrical contacts conductively connect with a first and second wire, respectively, via an insulation displacement connector. Furthermore, the male contact prong conductively connects (i.e., shunts) the first and second electrical contacts together. A wire-to-wire contact with shunt allows for two wires to be quickly and efficiently connected and disconnected.

Abstract: An electrical contact for use in connecting electrical wires is disclosed. The electrical contact includes a cage-like structure, a wire connecting portion, and a flexing contact portion. The cage-like structure includes a plurality of sidewalls and is configured to receive a wire. The wire connecting contact portion includes at least two contact tines that are configured to conductively couple with a corresponding wire. The flexing contact portion includes an end wall, an elastic portion, an extension portion, and a nose portion. The flexing contact portion can store elastic energy and apply a force to a corresponding electrical component.

Abstract: An ultra-thin electrochemical energy storage device is provided which utilizes electrode material with multi-layer current collectors and with an organic electrolyte between the electrodes. Multiple cells may be positioned in a plurality of stacks and all of the cells may be in series, parallel or some combination thereof. The energy storage device can be constructed at less than 0.5 millimeters thick and exhibit very low ESR and higher temperature range capabilities.

Abstract: A capacitor assembly for use in ultrahigh voltage environments is provided. To help achieve good performance at such high voltages, a variety of aspects of the assembly are controlled in the present invention, including the number of capacitor elements, the manner in which the capacitor elements are arranged and incorporated into the assembly, and the manner in which the capacitor elements are formed. For example, the capacitor assembly contains an anode termination to which the anode lead of a first capacitor element is electrically connected and a cathode termination to which the cathode of a second capacitor element is electrically connected. To help improve the breakdown voltage properties of the assembly, the capacitor elements are electrically connected in series such that the anode lead of the second capacitor element is also electrically connected to the cathode of the first capacitor element via a conductive member.

Abstract: A capacitor whose electrical properties can be stable under a variety of different conditions is provided. The solid electrolyte of the capacitor is formed from a combination of an in situ polymerized conductive polymer and a hydroxy-functional nonionic polymer. One benefit of such an in situ polymerized conductive polymer is that it does not require the use of polymeric counterions (e.g., polystyrenesulfonic anion) to compensate for charge, as with conventional particle dispersions, which tend to result in ionic polarization and instable electrical properties, particularly at the low temperatures noted above. Further, it is believed that hydroxy-functional nonionic polymers can improve the degree of contact between the polymer and the surface of the internal dielectric, which unexpectedly increases the capacitance performance and reduces ESR.

Abstract: A wet electrolytic capacitor containing a cathode, fluidic working electrolyte, and planar anode formed from an anodically oxidized sintered porous pellet is provided. The pellet may be formed from a pressed valve metal powder, which in turn, is formed by reacting an oxide of a valve metal compound (e.g., tantalum pentoxide) with a reducing agent that contains a metal having an oxidation state of 2 or more (e.g., magnesium). Through the use of such a powder, the present inventors have discovered that higher capacitance levels can be achieved than previously thought possible for the high voltage capacitors employed in implantable medical devices.

Abstract: An electrical contact includes a main body and a compliant pin extending from the main body. The compliant pin includes a through-hole. The compliant pin is configured to be compressed. The electrical contact also includes a first leg and a second leg that each extend from the main body. The compliant pin is between the first leg and the second leg. The compliant pin, the first leg, and the second leg extend from the main body in a same direction. The electrical contact further includes a first blade and a second blade that each extend from the main body. A slot is formed between the first blade and the second blade, and a width of the slot is larger at a first position adjacent a distal end of the first and second blades than at a second position adjacent a proximal end of the first and second blades.

Abstract: A capacitor assembly that is capable of performing under extreme conditions, such as at high temperatures and/or high voltages, is provided. The ability to perform at high temperature is achieved in part by enclosing and hermetically sealing the capacitor element within a housing in the presence of a gaseous atmosphere that contains an inert gas, thereby limiting the amount of oxygen and moisture supplied to the solid electrolyte of the capacitor element. Furthermore, the present inventors have also discovered that the ability to perform at high voltages can be achieved through a unique and controlled combination of features relating to the formation of the anode, dielectric, and solid electrolyte. For example, the solid electrolyte is formed from a combination of a conductive polymer and a hydroxy-functional nonionic polymer.

Abstract: A single element connector includes a first cage-like structure configured to receive a wire. The first cage-like structure includes an insert end and a single contact tine coupled to a top wall of the first cage-like structure. The single contact tine extends downward from the top wall to a base of the single element connector and directs a wire inserted into the single element connector to the base of the single element connector.

Abstract: Relatively low noise capacitors are provided for surface mounted applications. Electro-mechanical vibrations generate audible noise, which are otherwise relatively reduced through modifications to MLCC device structures, and/or their mounting interfaces on substrates such as printed circuit boards (PCBs). Different embodiments variously make use of flexible termination compliance so that surface mounting has reduced amplitude vibrations transmitted to the PCB. In other instances, side terminal and transposer embodiments effectively reduce the size of the mounting pads relative to the case of the capacitor, or a molded enclosure provides standoff, termination compliance and clamping of vibrations.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for connecting and disconnecting a first wire to a second wire. More specifically, an apparatus that includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, an insulated housing, and a male contact prong (i.e., a shunt) is disclosed. In an embodiment, the first and second electrical contacts conductively connect with a first and second wire, respectively, via an insulation displacement connector. Furthermore, the male contact prong conductively connects (i.e., shunts) the first and second electrical contacts together. A wire-to-wire contact with shunt allows for two wires to be quickly and efficiently connected and disconnected.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic device is disclosed that comprises a ceramic layer, a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer. The first electrode layer contains a first tab portion extending to the first lateral edge of the ceramic layer, the first electrode layer further defining a first cut-out region. The second electrode layer contains a second tab portion extending to the first lateral edge of the ceramic layer, the second electrode layer further defining a second cut-out region. The first tab portion of the first electrode layer is offset from the second tab portion of the second electrode layer in the longitudinal direction so that a first gap region is formed within which the first tab portion does not overlap the second tab portion. Further, the first cut-out region at least partially overlaps the second cut-out region.

Abstract: A capacitor assembly that is capable of exhibiting good electrical properties even under a variety of conditions is provided. More particularly, the capacitor contains a capacitor element that includes a sintered porous anode body, a dielectric that overlies the anode body, and a solid electrolyte that overlies the dielectric. The solid electrolyte also contains a pre-coat layer that overlies the dielectric and includes an organometallic compound. A solid electrolyte overlies the pre-coat layer that includes pre-polymerized conductive polymer particles, and an external polymer coating overlies the solid electrolyte that contains a pre-polymerized particles and a cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for providing a precision laser adjustable (e.g., trimmable) thin film capacitor array. A plurality of individual capacitors are formed on a common substrate and connected together in parallel by way of fusible links. The individual capacitors are provided as laddered capacitance value capacitors such that a plurality of lower valued capacitors corresponding to the lower steps of the ladder, and lesser numbers of capacitors, including a single capacitor, for successive steps of the ladder, are provided. Precision capacitance values can be achieved by either of fusing or ablating selected of the fusible links so as to remove the selected subcomponents from the parallel connection. In-situ live-trimming of selected fusible links may be performed after placement of the capacitor array on a hosting printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electromagnetic interference filter for various electronic devices such as implantable medical devices is provided. A plurality of signal electrodes can be configured in an array, where each signal electrode extends vertically from a top surface to a bottom surface of the filter such that the signal electrodes are flush with the top and bottom surface. Ground or common electrodes can have a parallel arrangement and be interposed between the signal electrodes. The ground electrodes can be grounded internally, externally, or both internally and externally. Dielectric material can be disposed between signal electrodes and ground electrodes to act as an insulator between adjacent electrodes.

Abstract: A module containing a plurality of active capacitors and a sacrificial capacitor is provided. The active capacitors and sacrificial capacitor are aligned along a horizontal direction so that the side surfaces of their cases are parallel to each other. The particular arrangement of the active capacitors and sacrificial capacitor results in a module configuration where the anode terminations for the active capacitors and an external component of the lead frame for the sacrificial capacitor are coplanar so that the module can be mounted to a circuit board via the anode terminations and the external component of the lead frame in a mechanically and electrically stable manner. Further, the center of gravity of the module in the length and/or width directions can be located at a midpoint of the overall module length and/or width, which enhances the stability of the module when mounted to a circuit board.