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").

Abstract: A filtered feedthrough assembly (100, 100', 100", 200, 200", 300) for use in implantable medical devices is provided. The filtered feedthrough assembly provides at least one chip capacitor (110, 210) or an LC circuit coupled between a lead wire (12) and an end surface (18) of a metallic ferrule (14). The chip capacitor is secured in position by means of a [non-conductive film (122) and] conductive material (120) applied to opposing ends of the chip capacitor. The end portion of the feedthrough and chip capacitor may be encapsulated by an encapsulant (102) to provide a moisture resistant coating therefor.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for indicating pressure in the animal or human body, such as intracranial pressure, including a housing, a bellows contained within the housing, a body pressure sensing tambour for placing the bellows in communication with pressure in the body so that the pressure will cause the bellows to move as a function of the pressure, output means, such as a radioactive source and associated shielding, contained within the housing and associated with the bellows for providing an output which is a function of the movement of the bellows, and a receiver, such as a radiation detector, located external to the body to receive the output and provide data indicative of the pressure in the body. The pressure sensor includes means associated with the bellows to enable in vivo calibration of the pressure sensor after implantation by establishing a preselected output condition during calibration. An ambient pressure sensing tambour is associated with the bellows for compensating for ambient pressure variations.

Abstract: A non-invasive nuclear device for communicating pressure inside a body to the exterior, such as from within the cranium, bladder or vena cava, of an animal or human, the device including a housing having an interior communicating through a conduit of deformable metallic material with a fluid pressure sensing device positioned within the body portion being monitored, the housing being mounted on the body adjacent the body portion being monitored, a shaped mass of radioactive material together with radiation shield means being disposed within the housing interior together with urging means for producing a predetermined shielding relationship between the radioactive mass and the shield means, the radioactive mass being supported on the urging means for guide movement relative to the shield means and the sensed pressure being exerted through a pressure transmitting fluid flowing within the deformable metal conduit against the urging means for modifying the shielding relationship between the radioactive mass and t

Abstract: A pressure sensor apparatus primarily for sensing pressure in a body cavity such as the cranium, bladder or vena cava of an animal or human comprising a housing having non-radioactive fluids contained in two spaced apart regions of the housing. A radioactive fluid immiscible with at least one of the non-radioactive fluids is also contained within the housing between the non-radioactive fluids. The interface between the radioactive fluid and one of the non-radioactive fluids is optionally formed by a resilient member such as an elastomeric diaphragm. A flexible member is connected to the housing and communicates with one of the two spaced apart regions in the housing. The other spaced apart region in the housing is closed by a resilient member such as a metallic diaphragm. With this arrangement, the movement of the radioactive fluid is proportional to the pressure sensed by the flexible member and is sensed by a radiation detector.

Abstract: A microwatt thermoelectric generator suitable for implanting in the body. The disclosed generator utilizes a nuclear energy source. Provision is made for temporary electrical connection to the generator for testing purposes, and for ensuring that the heat generated by the nuclear source does not bypass the pile. Also disclosed is a getter which is resistant to shrinkage during sintering, and a foil configuration for controlling the radiation of heat from the nuclear source to the hot plate of the pile.