Abstract: Platinum-nickel-based ternary or higher alloys include platinum at about 65-80 wt. %, nickel at about 18-27 wt. %, and about 2-8 wt. % of ternary or higher additions that may include one or more of Ir, Pd, Rh, Ru, Nb, Mo, Re, W, and/or Ta. These alloys are age-hardenable, provide hardness greater than 580 Knoop, ultimate tensile strength in excess of 320 ksi, and elongation to failure of at least 1.5%. The alloys may be used in static and moveable electrical contact and probe applications. The alloys may also be used in medical devices.

Abstract: Palladium-based ternary or higher alloys include palladium at about 45-55 wt %, copper about 32-42 wt %, silver at about 8-15 wt %, rhenium at about 0-5 wt %, and optionally one or more modifying elements at up to 1.0 wt %. The alloys are age-hardenable, provide hardness in excess of 350 HK (Knoop, 100 g load), have electrical conductivities above 19.5% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard), have an elevated temperature strength above 100 ksi at temperatures up to 480° F. (250° C.), and remain ductile (tensile elongation>2%) in their fully age-hardened condition. The alloys may be used in static and moveable electrical contact and probe applications.

Abstract: Platinum-nickel-based ternary or higher alloys include platinum at about 65-80 wt. %, nickel at about 18-27 wt. %, and about 2-8 wt. % of ternary or higher additions that may include one or more of Ir, Pd, Rh, Ru, Nb, Mo, Re, W, and/or Ta. These alloys are age-hardenable, provide hardness greater than 580 Knoop, ultimate tensile strength in excess of 320 ksi, and elongation to failure of at least 1.5%. The alloys may be used in static and moveable electrical contact and probe applications. The alloys may also be used in medical devices.

Abstract: Palladium-based ternary or higher alloys include palladium at about 45-55 wt %, copper about 32-42 wt %, silver at about 8-15 wt %, rhenium at about 0-5 wt %, and optionally one or more modifying elements at up to 1.0 wt %. The alloys are age-hardenable, provide hardness in excess of 350 HK (Knoop, 100 g load), have electrical conductivities above 19.5% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard), have an elevated temperature strength above 100 ksi at temperatures up to 480° F. (250° C.), and remain ductile (tensile elongation >2%) in their fully age-hardened condition. The alloys may be used in static and moveable electrical contact and probe applications.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fuel level sensing are described herein. An example sensor may include a sealed housing and an electrically conductive coil. The sealed housing may comprise a pivot end, a float end opposite the pivot end, and an interior defined by walls extending therebetween. The pivot end may be adapted to join a pivot point and the float end may be adapted to join to a float at an exterior of the housing. The electrically conductive coil spring is disposed in the housing interior and comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The coil spring is adapted to expand and retract in response to movement of the internal float within the housing and to electrically couple to a circuit configured to sense a change in resistance in the coil spring in response to expansion and retraction of windings of the coil spring.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for fuel level sensing are described herein. An example sensor includes a sealed housing comprising a first end, a second end, and an interior defined by walls extending therebetween. The sensor includes a float surrounding an exterior of the sealed housing and is configured to move longitudinally along the sealed housing between the first end second ends. The float may include a magnetic element configured to provide a magnetic field. The sealed housing may include an electrically conductive spring coupled to at least one of the first end or the second end, and may include a ferrous element coupled to the electrically conductive spring and configured to be displaced relative to the sealed housing based on the magnetic field. The electrically conductive spring may expand and retract to adjust a resistance of the electrically conductive spring in response to the ferrous element being displaced.

Abstract: Ultra-low magnetic susceptibility, biocompatible palladium-tin, palladium-aluminum, and palladium-tantalum alloys include at least 75 at % palladium, between about 3 and 20 at % tin, aluminum, or tantalum, respectively, and one or more other additives chosen from niobium, tungsten, molybdenum, zirconium, titanium, tin for non-palladium-tin alloys, aluminum for non-palladium-aluminum alloys, or tantalum for non-palladium-tantalum alloys, up to about 22 at % total.

Abstract: Alloys and dental copings or abutments formed of alloys include 50-60 wt % gold, 5-14 wt % platinum, 0.1-3.0 wt % iridium and the remainder palladium. Other alloys and dental copings or abutments formed of alloys include 58 wt % gold, 10 wt % platinum, 1.0 wt % iridium, and 31 wt % palladium. The alloys are capable of withstanding temperature profiles during casting and multiple high temperature exposures of porcelain firing without excessive softening. The alloys also exhibit advantageous shear strain properties giving the alloys improved manufacturability characteristics.

Abstract: A multiple contact connector interfaces between an implanted medical device and an implanted cable or lead. A connector connects between multiple implanted leads, each of which has multiple independent conductors. The connection system is a planar array of male connector pins on one portion, and a matching array of female connector receptacles on a second portion. Alignment via alignment features and pressing together the portions allows pins to engage with the receptacles providing a secure electrical connection. Sealing features on the connector apparatus seal out external fluids and isolate fluid present in the connector apparatus prior to mating, which electrically isolates each pin and its corresponding receptacle from other pin and receptacle pairs. Latching features retains the relative position of the pins, receptacle, and the positioning of the fluid seals, and is reversible for removal of the connector.

Abstract: During implant of an implantable medical device, implanted cables or leads are inserted to a connector block. An insertion indicator provides the user with a visual indication the cables or leads have been correctly inserted into the connector block, which enables the implanted medical device to properly deliver treatment or receive signals via the implanted cables or leads. The insertion indicator may be provided by a mechanical indicator optically viewable once the lead has been correctly inserted, and/or may be provided by an electrically activated light indicator illuminated by a power source associated with the connector block or with a connector tool used to connect the lead or cable to the connector block upon correct insertion of the lead or cable. The insertion indicator may be permanently or removably disposed on the connector block, a connector tool, and/or a can associated with the connector block.

Abstract: An electrical connection apparatus includes an electrical connection contact and an adjustment component within an interior of the electrical connection apparatus. The electrical connection contact is operatively coupled to the adjustment component so that the electrical connection contact adjusts between an insertion position and a contact position in response to rotating the adjustment component. A slider movably arranged within the interior of the electrical connection apparatus causes the electrical connection contact to move in response to rotation of the adjustment component. The electrical connection apparatus includes one or more blocks, and the adjustment component, electrical contact and slider are arranged within an interior of the one or more blocks.

Abstract: An electrical connection apparatus includes an electrical connection contact and an adjustment component within an interior of the electrical connection apparatus. The electrical connection contact is operatively coupled to the adjustment component so that the electrical connection contact adjusts between an insertion position and a contact position in response to rotating the adjustment component. A slider may be movably arranged within the interior of the electrical connection apparatus to cause the electrical connection contact to move in response to rotation of the adjustment component. The electrical connection apparatus may include stackable blocks coupled to each other so that the adjustment component, electrical contact and slider, when provided, are arranged within an interior of the coupled stackable blocks.

Abstract: Multiple seals, internal to a connector block, provide for connecting an implantable medical device and an implanted cable or lead. The forces to engage sealing or releasing the seals are derived from a mechanism so they can be relaxed to permit ease of insertion or withdrawal of a lead, or can be increased to tightly seal against fluid migration, and to provide an electrical insulation between adjacent conductors of the lead and connector block. During implant of the medical device, the lead is inserted and a shaft is rotated with a tool to engage the seals. Later, the seals can be released by rotating the control shaft in the opposite direction to allow extraction of the lead from the connector block. The seals therefore are able to provide improved sealing without increasing the insertion or the extraction forces for the lead.

Abstract: An electrical connection apparatus includes at least one stackable block operably coupleable to another stackable block, at least one pin receiving portion defined by an inner wall within the stackable block, and at least one electrical connection contact having a C-shaped contact portion with elastic properties disposed within the pin receiving portion and a lead portion disposed at a location exterior to the stackable block. The electrical connection apparatus may further include an adjustment component and an adjustment component receiving portion defined by in inner wall within the stackable block. In addition, sliders may be arranged on the stackable block and may engage with tabs formed on the at least one electrical connection contact. The sliders may be moved to a raised or lowered position in order to move the at least one electrical connection contact between a contact and an insertion position.

Abstract: Ultra-low magnetic susceptibility, biocompatible palladium-tin, palladium-aluminum, and palladium-tantalum alloys include at least 75 at % palladium, between about 3 and 20 at % tin, aluminum, or tantalum, respectively, and one or more other additives chosen from niobium, tungsten, molybdenum, zirconium, titanium, tin for non-palladium-tin alloys, aluminum for non-palladium-aluminum alloys, or tantalum for non-palladium-tantalum alloys, up to about 22 at % total.

Abstract: A family of alloys for use in medical, electrical contact and jewelry applications includes as primary components palladium, and boron and at least one of ruthenium, rhenium, platinum, gold, zirconium, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, tantalum and iridium. An alternative embodiment includes palladium and rhenium and/or ruthenium with an additional element iridium, platinum, tungsten, boron, gold, zirconium, cobalt, nickel and tantalum. The present alloy family has a high strength, high radio opacity, and biocompatibility characteristics, while also being workable into various configurations. Where required, some of the alloys also offer post form, heat treatment (age hardening) capabilities for even higher hardness and strength levels.