Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for active implantable medical devices includes a structural wire bond pad for a convenient attachment of wires from either the circuitry inside the implantable medical device or wires external to the device. Direct attachment of wire bond pads to terminal pins enables thermal or ultrasonic bonding of lead wires, while shielding the capacitor or other delicate components from the forces applied to the assembly during attachment of the wires.

Abstract: An EMI filter capacitor assembly utilizes biocompatible and non-migratable materials to adapt electronic components for direct body fluid exposure. The assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates which are constructed of non-migratable biocompatible material A conductive hermetic terminal of non-migratable and biocompatible material adjacent to the capacitor is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. One or more conductive terminal pins having at least an outer surface of non-migratable and biocompatible material are conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, while extending through the hermetic terminal in non-conductive relation. The terminal pins may be in direct contact with the first set of electrode plates, or in contact with a termination surface of conductive connection material. The termination surface is also constructed of non-migratable and biocompatible materials.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device (AIMD) having a magnetic shield on its housing for shielding the interior of the device from magnetic fields originating outside the housing. The magnetic shield is created using a magnetic absorbing coating on the inner surface of the housing. The AIMD includes an area of the housing left without the magnetic shield, a magnetic window, adjacent to a magnetically actuated device located inside of the housing. The magnetic window permits activation of the magnetically actuated device.

Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) includes magnetic shielding elements to block incident magnetic fields during medical procedures such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The assembly includes conductive or ground plate(s) embedded in an insulator surrounding elements of the assembly, a plurality of lead wires extending from electronic circuitry of the AIMD, and a lossy ferrite inductor through which the lead wires extend in non-conductive relation for increasing the impedance of the lead wires at selected RF frequencies. Alternatively, the assembly includes a conductive sleeve or cap surrounding the feedthrough capacitor and/or conductive support.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic interference filter terminal assembly for active implantable medical devices includes a structural pad in the form of a substrate or attached wire bond pad, for convenient attachment of wires from the circuitry inside the implantable medical device to the capacitor structure via thermal or ultrasonic bonding, soldering or the like while shielding the capacitor from forces applied to the assembly during attachment of the wires.

Abstract: In EMI filter assemblies incorporating one or more passive filter elements including feedthrough capacitors and lossy ferrite inductors, a process is provided for tuning the various components to reduce the amount of heat generated in implanted lead wires during medical procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging. The process includes selection and testing of individual components and an interative process involving tradeoffs and subsequent testing prior to finalization of the feedthrough design.

Abstract: A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly includes a conductive terminal pin which extends through a first passageway of a capacitor in conductive relation with a first set of electrode plates, and through a conductive ground plane and an insulator in non-conductive relation. The insulator includes ground plates conductively coupled to the ferrule. A second set of electrode plates of the capacitor are conductively coupled to the insulator ground plates, such as by a ground pin extending through the capacitor in relation with the second set of electrode plates, and at least partially extending through a second passageway of the insulator in conductive relation with the ground plates. In this manner, the exterior electrical/mechanical connection between the capacitor and ground plane or other ground member is eliminated.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter terminal for an active implantable medical device (AIMD), an insulated and shielded RF telemetry pin is provided to prevent re-radiation of unwanted stray signals, including the telemetry signal itself, to adjacent sensitive circuits or lead wires. The invention provides for an EMI filter terminal assembly for an AIMD including a radio frequency (RF) telemetry pin antenna extending therethrough. The RF telemetry pin antenna includes a conductive shield extending over a portion of the RF telemetry pin antenna in non-conductive relation with the telemetry pin, and conductively connected to a ground associated with the AIMD. The assembly may also include an insulation tube between the RF telemetry pin antenna and the conductive shield covering a portion of the RF telemetry pin antenna.

Abstract: A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly includes a conductive terminal pin which extends through a first passageway of a capacitor in conductive relation with a first set of electrode plates, and through a conductive ground plane and an insulator in non-conductive relation. The insulator includes ground plates conductively coupled to the ferrule. A second set of electrode plates of the capacitor are conductively coupled to the insulator ground plates, such as by a ground pin extending through the capacitor in relation with the second set of electrode plates, and at least partially extending through a second passageway of the insulator in conductive relation with the ground plates. In this manner, the exterior electrical/mechanical connection between the capacitor and ground plane or other ground member is eliminated.

Abstract: An EMI filter capacitor assembly utilizes biocompatible and non-migratable materials to adapt electronic components for direct body fluid exposure. The assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates which are constructed of non-migratable biocompatible material A conductive hermetic terminal of non-migratable and biocompatible material adjacent to the capacitor is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. One or more conductive terminal pins having at least an outer surface of non-migratable and biocompatible material are conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, while extending through the hermetic terminal in non-conductive relation. The terminal pins may be in direct contact with the first set of electrode plates, or in contact with a termination surface of conductive connection material. The termination surface is also constructed of non-migratable and biocompatible materials.

Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for active implantable medical devices includes a structural wire bond pad for a convenient attachment of wires from either the circuitry inside the implantable medical device or wires external to the device. Direct attachment of wire bond pads to terminal pins enables thermal or ultrasonic bonding of lead wires, while shielding the capacitor or other delicate components from the forces applied to the assembly during attachment of the wires.

Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for an active implantable medical device utilizes an insert to establish a reliable electrical connection between capacitor electrode plates, via inner surface metallization of a capacitor aperture, and an associated terminal pin 10, which passes at least partially therethrough. The inserts are preferably resiliently flexible, such as a spring, to establish this connection. The insert also serves to establish a mechanical connection between the capacitor and the terminal pin.

Abstract: A band stop filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The band stop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band stop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the band stop filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the band stop filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device.

Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for an active implantable medical device utilizes an insert to establish a reliable electrical connection between capacitor electrode plates, via inner surface metallization of a capacitor aperture, and an associated terminal pin 10, which passes at least partially therethrough. The inserts are preferably resiliently flexible, such as a spring, to establish this connection. The insert also serves to establish a mechanical connection between the capacitor and the terminal pin.

Abstract: An active implantable medical device (AIMD) having a magnetic shield on its housing for shielding the interior of the device from magnetic fields originating outside the housing. The magnetic shield is created using a magnetic absorbing coating on the inner surface of the housing. The AIMD includes an area of the housing left without the magnetic shield, a magnetic window, adjacent to a magnetically actuated device located inside of the housing. The magnetic window permits activation of the magnetically actuated device.

Abstract: An EMI filter capacitor assembly utilizes biocompatible and non-migratable materials to adapt electronic components for direct body fluid exposure. The assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates which are constructed of non-migratable biocompatible material. A conductive hermetic terminal of non-migratable and biocompatible material adjacent to the capacitor is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. One or more conductive terminal pins having at least an outer surface of non-migratable and biocompatible material are conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, while extending through the hermetic terminal in non-conductive relation. The terminal pins may be in direct contact with the first set of electrode plates, or in contact with a termination surface of conductive connection material. The termination surface is also constructed of non-migratable and biocompatible materials.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for use with active implantable medical devices (AIMD) implanted in a patient comprises an interrogator and an RFID tag comprising a substrate, an RFID chip, and an antenna. The RFID is typically enclosed in a biocompatible and hermetically sealed container comprising a ceramic housing, an end cap and an encapsulant. The RFID tag or sealed container may be affixed to an AIMD or surgically implanted in a patient adjacent to an AIMD. Alternatively, the sealed container may be injected into body tissue by a large needle syringe. The RFID tag may store information about an AIMD including manufacturer, model number and serial number. The RFID tag may also store information about a treating physician and/or patient including the treating physician's name and contact information, the patient's name, contact information, medical condition, treatment and other relevant information.

Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for an active implantable medical device includes a conductive terminal pin or leadwire, a feedthrough filter capacitor having a first set of electrode plates conductively coupled to the terminal pin or leadwire, and a second set of electrode plates conductively coupled to a housing, ferrule or ground plane of the active implantable medical device, and a non-conductive mullion disposed relative to the terminal pin or leadwire for increasing creepage distance between the terminal pin or leadwire and another conductive element, creating a tortuous path that increases resistance to arcing/flashover.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic interference filter terminal assembly for active implantable medical devices includes a structural pad in the form of a substrate or attached wire bond pad, for convenient attachment of wires from the circuitry inside the implantable medical device to the capacitor structure via thermal or ultrasonic bonding, soldering or the like while shielding the capacitor from forces applied to the assembly during attachment of the wires.

Abstract: An insulative shield is co-bonded to the top of a ceramic capacitor in a feedthrough terminal assembly on an active implantable medical device. The insulative shield is a thin substrate that provides protection against damage and degradation of the feedthrough capacitor and/or its conformal coating from heat, splatter or debris resulting from the electromechanical connection of components during construction of the assembly. Laser welding, thermal or ultrasonic bonding, soldering, brazing or related lead attachment techniques can create such heat, splatter or debris. In a preferred embodiment, the insulative shield is co-bonded using the capacitor's own conformal coating.