Abstract: An active medical device has a feedthrough with at least two terminal pins that are connected to electronic components in the device housing. A lead connector is connected to a strain-relief device for a lead. The lead connector supports at least two proximally-facing C-shaped inserts with an annular spring nested therein that are detachably connected to the device terminal pins to thereby connect the device electronic components to the lead electrodes. The device housing has a length extending along a longitudinal axis, and secondary axes of the terminal pins connected to the C-shaped inserts/annular springs are aligned parallel to the axis with imaginary extensions of the connector axes extending into the device housing.

Abstract: In various examples, an audible frequency generating system for use in an implantable device including a housing of the implantable device. The housing includes at least one wall formed to at least partially surround an interior of the housing. A frequency generator is configured to produce an audible sound within the interior of the housing. At least one conductor is electrically coupled to the frequency generator. A fastening element secures the conductor to the at least one wall of the housing, wherein the frequency generator is constrained within the housing by the at least one conductor secured to the at least one wall of the housing, such that the frequency generator includes a floating configuration relative to the housing.

Abstract: In various examples, a connector for an implantable medical device is configured to accept a lead therein and electrically couple to a lead contact of the lead. The connector includes a connector housing, which includes a bore portion including a bore hole therethrough. The bore hole includes a bore hole axis, the bore hole being sized and shaped to accept the lead within the bore hole. An attachment portion is coupled to the bore portion. The attachment portion includes an attachment hole within the attachment portion sized and shaped to accept a feedthrough wire within the attachment hole. The attachment hole includes an attachment hole axis offset from and non-parallel to the bore hole axis.

Abstract: An AMD has a main housing closed by an end cap. A PCB supports electrical contacts connected to electronic components. An electrical power source powers the electronic components. A metallic sleeve connected to an inner surface of the end cap has a sleeve lumen aligned with a cap lead opening. A terminal housing assembly has a number of insulator rings connected to a number of the metallic terminal housings in an alternating sequence extending distally from the sleeve. The insulator rings support silicone ring seals and the terminal housings support canted coil springs. Jumper wires connect the terminal housings of the terminal housing assembly to the electrical contacts of the PCB without an intermediate feedthrough. In use, the electrical contacts of a lead are moved through the sleeve lumen and into the terminal housing assembly to connect the electrical contacts to the canted coil springs of the terminal housings.

Abstract: A miniature electrochemical cell has a total volume that is less than 0.5 cc. The anode is a lithium sheet that is swaged onto an inner surface of a casing tube to form an anode lumen. The cathode comprises CFx contacting a rod-shaped current collector and the cathode having a cylindrical shape resides in the anode lumen. The rod-shaped cathode current collector has a cylindrically-shaped outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis. At least one helical groove recessed into the outer surface turns around the longitudinal axis at a constant distance while moving parallel to the axis. The helical groove prevents the CFx from sliding on or delaminating from the rod-shaped current collector. A separator segregates the anode from contacting the cathode, and an electrolyte activates the anode/cathode.

Abstract: A deflectable vascular peel away introducer assembly includes an elongated sheath including opposed proximal and distal end portions and at least two axial lumens extending therethrough. The elongated sheath includes at least two axially extending lines of weakness. A movable pull-wire is positioned within one of the two axial lumens. The movable pull-wire is anchored to the distal end portion of the elongated sheath to deflect a distal tip of the distal end portion of the elongated sheath. A method for deflecting and removing a vascular peel away assembly includes turning a deflection knob which causes deflection of a softer distal end portion of an elongated sheath along a primary curve. The method includes splitting spreadable handles at a proximal end portion of the elongated sheath along peel lines. The deflection can be 45 degrees or more.

Abstract: A miniature electrochemical cell has a total volume that is less than 0.5 cc. The anode is a lithium sheet that is swaged onto an inner surface of a casing tube to form an anode lumen. The cathode comprises CFx contacting a rod-shaped current collector and the cathode having a cylindrical shape resides in the anode lumen. The rod-shaped cathode current collector has a cylindrically-shaped outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis. At least one helical groove recessed into the outer surface turns around the longitudinal axis at a constant distance while moving parallel to the axis. The helical groove prevents the CFx from sliding on or delaminating from the rod-shaped current collector. A separator segregates the anode from contacting the cathode, and an electrolyte activates the anode/cathode.

Abstract: A deflectable guiding catheter that includes a proximal handle assembly, an elongated catheter shaft extending distally from the proximal handle assembly and including a deflectable distal end portion, a drive mechanism within the proximal handle assembly for steering the deflectable distal end portion of the catheter shaft, an anchor ring positioned adjacent a distal end of the catheter shaft, an elongated pull wire extending from the drive mechanism and connected to the anchor ring, a braided sleeve extending from a proximal end of the catheter shaft to a proximal end of the anchor ring, and a containment ring positioned over a distal end portion of the braided sleeve at the proximal end of the anchor ring.

Abstract: An implantable neural stimulation device is provided, comprising a body containing stimulation electronics, and a battery to provide stimulation energy, a lid, coupled to the body, the lid configured to at least partially seal the body and a header coupled to the body of the device. The header comprises a contact assembly electrically coupled to the stimulation electronics via at least one feedthrough wire extending through the lid, the contact assembly configured to connect to a stimulation lead to deliver the stimulation energy from the battery under control by the stimulation electronics, a charge coil configured to charge the battery, and a support component configured to support the charge coil. The support component is supported in position by the contact assembly.

Abstract: The high-voltage and/or high-frequency pulse dielectric breakdown strength (DBS) of an implantable medical device is increased by strategically positioning insulation materials on or adjacent to the external surfaces of a filter capacitor. Dielectric breakdown strength is further increased by adding polymeric or ceramic nanoscale metal oxide insulative powders to the insulation materials.

Abstract: A miniature electrochemical cell having a volume of less than 0.5 cc is described. The cell casing comprises an open-ended ceramic container having a via hole providing an electrically conductive pathway extending through the container. A metal lid closes the open-end of the container. An electrode assembly housed inside the casing comprises an anode current collector deposited on an inner surface of the ceramic container in contact with the electrically conductive pathway in the via hole. An anode active material contacts the current collector and a cathode active material contacts the metal lid. A separator is disposed between the anode and cathode active materials. That way, the electrically conductive pathway serves as a negative terminal, and the lid, electrically isolated from the conductive pathway by the ceramic container, serves as a positive terminal. The negative and positive terminals are configured for electrical connection to a load.

Abstract: A kink-resistance catheter has a first pair of core wires residing in the catheter body on opposed side of a catheter lumen. The core wires have relatively stiff proximal ends but taper toward their distal ends. The tapered construction provides the core wires with a degree of distal flexibility that helps the catheter advance along a vasculature to a site of interest without kinking and with improved torsional rigidity. If desired, shaping ribbons are provided in the catheter body adjacent to the distal ends of the core wires. The shaping ribbons can be pre-bent before a surgical procedure to help the physician advance the catheter along the vasculature. Finally, the core wires provide the ability to push the catheter through the vasculature with out the need for the catheter to go over a guidewire already in-situ in the vasculature.

Abstract: An active medical device comprises an electrical energy power source powering a medical device. The power source has an open-ended casing that is hermetically sealed with a glass-to-metal seal (GTMS) supported in a lid closing the casing. The medical device has an open-ended housing that houses a PCB assembly which is configured to control functions of the active medical device. A sleeve provides a sleeve lumen, and a flex circuit resides inside the sleeve lumen. The flex circuit inside the sleeve lumen is connected to the power source and to the PCB assembly to power the active medical device, and the sleeve is connected to the medical device housing at the housing open end and to the power source casing adjacent to the lid supporting the GTMS to hermetically seal the active medical device.

Abstract: In various examples, a shaft for an elongate medical device extends along a shaft length. The shaft includes a shaft axis, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an inner lumen. A liner forms the inner surface of the shaft. A coil is disposed around and outwardly from the liner. The coil is formed from a flat wire. The flat wire includes a wire width and a wire height, wherein the wire height is greater than the wire width. The wire height extends substantially radially with respect to the shaft and the wire width extends substantially longitudinally with respect to the shaft. A jacket is disposed around and outwardly from the coil. The jacket forms the outer surface of the shaft.

Abstract: A medical device including an elongated tubular body having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated tubular body including an interior lumen extending therethrough, wherein an inner surface of the interior lumen includes at least one longitudinal depression formed therein, configured to provide pressure relief to accommodate movement of a medical device passing through the interior lumen.

Abstract: In various examples, a guidewire for temporary pacing of tissue includes an elongate core wire and a coil disposed along at least a portion of a length of the core wire. The coil is disposed radially outwardly from and around the core wire, wherein a core axis and a coil axis are substantially aligned. At least one electrode is disposed along the guidewire and includes an uninsulated portion of the core wire disposed within an electrode section of the coil. A spacing between adjacent windings of the electrode section of the coil is configured to allow a stimulation pulse to travel from the uninsulated portion of the core wire, through the spacing between the adjacent windings of the electrode section, and to the tissue in order to stimulate the tissue.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device (AIMD) has a high-purity fused silica wafer assembly micro-bonded to the housing for the device's electrical energy power source. During the micro-bonding process, electromagnetic radiation passes through the fused silica wafer but impinges on the metal housing to create a micro-bond at the interface between the two materials. A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly resides inside a power source housing recess closed by the micro-bonded fused silica wafer. Two conductive pathways extend through the fused silica wafer from electrodes supported on a body fluid side of the wafer to the PCB. The PCB, in turn, is connected to the power source to energize the electrodes for providing stimulation therapy to a patient or for sensing biological signals from the patient.

Abstract: A miniature electrochemical cell of a primary or secondary chemistry with a total volume that is less than 0.5 cc is described. The cell casing comprises an annular sidewall connected to a base plate opposite an upper lid. A sealing glass forms a hermetic glass-to-ceramic seal with a dielectric material contacting a lower portion of the annular sidewall and a glass-to-metal seal with the base plate. Since the glass seals against three surfaces of the annular sidewall, which are the inner and outer sidewall surfaces adjacent to the lower edge, the glass seal is robust enough to withstand the heat generated when the lid is welded to the upper edge of the annular sidewall. The lid has a sealed electrolyte fill port that is axially aligned with an annulus residing between the inner surface of the annular sidewall and the electrode assembly.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device (AIMD) is described. The AIMD has a rechargeable electrical energy power source connected to a PCB assembly for powering the medical device. The AIMD can sense biological signals from a patient, or it can have at least two electrodes that provide stimulation therapy to the patient. An inductive charging coil housed inside an elongate device enclosure is connected to the power source. The inductive charging coil has winds of an electrically conductive wire or tape that wrap around the PCB. The winds of the inductive charging coil have an upper wind portion residing above the PCB and a lower wind portion below the PCB. Opposed curved ends of the inductive charging coil winds are continuous with the upper and lower wind portions. This structure provides the inductive charging coil with a length aligned along a longitudinal axis of the PCB. In that manner, the inductive charging coil occupies a space otherwise not used in an elongate cylindrical enclosure for an AIMD.

Abstract: A heart valve replacement device and methods of manufacturing same are provided. The heart valve replacement device includes a substrate and a low-profile composite covering in conformal contact with the substrate and suturelessly attached to the substrate. The low-profile composite covering includes a textile base layer and a thermoplastic polymer coating integrated with the textile base layer. The thermoplastic polymer coating or select portions thereof are substantially fluid impermeable.