Abstract: A combination of materials and processing parameters have been developed for hermetic seals for electrical feedthroughs in high performance applications. A glass-ceramic forms a hermetic seal between a stainless steel shell and a platinum-nickel-based (Pt—Ni) pin alloy for electrical feedthroughs. The glass-ceramic is processed to develop a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) slightly higher than the pin alloy but lower than the stainless steel. The seal system employing the new processing conditions and Pt—Ni-based pin alloy alleviates several problems encountered in previous seal systems and improves the hermetic connector performance.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Apparatuses and methods for fuel level sensing use a rotatable housing configured to rotate about an axis based on a fuel level. Within the rotatable housing is a roller ball sensor assembly including a resistive trace having a plurality of portions, a conductive trace and a conductive element. The roller ball sensor assembly is configured to provide a resistance indicative of a rotation of the rotatable housing about the axis by using the conductive element to electrically couple a portion of the plurality of portions corresponding to the resistance to the conductive trace.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 seal 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.

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.

Abstract: A manifold system allows for the movement of a radioactive fluid from a container to a treatment balloon or other device, and the withdrawal of the radioactive fluid from the treatment device. The system allows for the convenient movement of the fluid, with minimal radiation exposure for those using the system. The manifold system is particularly useful in the use of radiation to prevent restenosis of arteries.