Abstract: An electrode having a substrate with a first layer covering at least a portion of the substrate, and a second layer covering at least a portion of the first layer is disclosed. The first layer includes a porous layer consisting of a carbide, nitride or carbonitride of at least one of the metals titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum or tungsten. The second layer includes iridium. In a method according to the present invention, a substrate is provided. A first layer is provided over at least a portion of the substrate, and a second layer is provided over at least a portion of the first layer. The first layer includes a layer consisting of a carbide, nitride or carbonitride of at least one of the metals titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum or tungsten. The second layer includes iridium.

Abstract: Coatings for implantable electrodes such as pacing electrodes, neurostimulator electrodes, and electroporating electrodes and sensing electrodes are described. The coatings are highly biocompatible, having low polarization. They consist of a biocompatible, conductive substrate, such as of sintered platinum/10% iridium; a thin film outer layer of biocompatible, conductive carbon; and a biocompatible, conductive intermediate layer having a high surface area. The intermediate layer is preferably of sputtered titanium nitride and increases the surface area of the carbonaceous outer layer.

Abstract: A feedthrough device and brazing process for joining the constituent parts of the feedthrough while allowing a lead to pass therethrough in a nonconductive manner is described. The feedthrough comprises at least one lead, a ferrule defining a capacitor recess and an insulator recess. An insulator disposed in the insulator recess defines a passageway allowing the lead to pass therethrough. A capacitor disposed in the capacitor recess defines a capacitor passageway allowing the lead to pass therethrough. The capacitor comprises first and second sets of plates, the first set being conductively coupled to the ferrule and the second set being conductively coupled to the lead. The braze joints between the insulator and the lead and between the insulator and ferrule are formed first at a first temperature using an insulator braze material.

Abstract: An electrode having a substrate with a first layer covering at least a portion of the substrate, and a second layer covering at least a portion of the first layer is disclosed. The first layer includes a porous layer consisting of a carbide, nitride or carbonitride of at least one of the metals titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum or tungsten. The second layer includes iridium. In a method according to the present invention, a substrate is provided. A first layer is provided over at least a portion of the substrate, and a second layer is provided over at least a portion of the first layer. The first layer includes a layer consisting of a carbide, nitride or carbonitride of at least one of the metals titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum or tungsten. The second layer includes iridium.

Abstract: A filtered feedthrough including a ferrule surrounding an insulator supporting one or more lead wires and at least one ground pin is described. The insulator defines a channel cutout extending from a first insulator side to a channel cutout bottom part way through the thickness of the insulator and in communication with the ferrule. An attached filter capacitor shunts electromagnetic interference from the lead wire to the ground pin, and the ground pin is in electrical communication with the ferrule by way of a ferrule-ground pin braze joint formed in the channel cutout.

Abstract: Filtered feedthrough assembly (100, 200) is formed by mounting a filter support assembly (130, 130', 230) having a capacitor (110,210) mounted thereto, to a conductive feedthrough (10, 10'). The conductive feedthrough includes a metallic ferrule (14, 14') having a centrally disposed through opening (28) extending between opposing ends thereof. At least one elongate lead wire (12) extends through the ferrule through opening. A hermetic seal insulator (20, 20') is disposed within the central opening of the ferrule and is sealed thereto. The filter support assembly (130, 130', 230) includes an insulative substrate (132, 132', 132") having a first metallization pattern (133, 314) formed on an upper surface (138, 138") thereof. A second metallization pattern (135, 316) is formed on the lower surface (124, 124') of substrate (132, 132', 132").