Abstract: An implantable pulse generator configured for delivering one or more electrical pulses to a target region within a body of a patient using an implantable neurostimulation lead, the implantable pulse generator comprising a hermetically sealed housing comprising a ceramic portion defining an inner volume configured to receive a charging coil assembly comprising a charging coil wrapped around an optional ferrite core material; an intermediate metal ring; and a case, wherein the intermediate metal ring comprises a first side joined to the ceramic portion by either a braze material or a diffusion bond, wherein the braze material or the diffusion bond is substantially free of nickel, and wherein the intermediate metal ring comprises a second side joined to the case portion.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting a conductor and a hermetic feedthrough of an implantable medical device includes welding a lead to a pad on a feedthrough. The feedthrough includes a ceramic insulator and a via hermetically bonded to the insulator. The via includes platinum. The pad is bonded to the insulator and electrically connected to the via, includes platinum, and has a thickness of at least 50 ?m. The lead includes at least one of niobium, platinum, titanium, tantalum, palladium, gold, nickel, tungsten, and oxides and alloys thereof.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes a sheet having a hole defined therethrough, wherein the sheet comprises a first material that is an electrically insulative ceramic comprising alumina. The feedthrough further includes a second material substantially filling the hole so as to form a conduit, the second material having platinum and an additive that includes alumina. The second material does not include SiO2, MgO, or CaO. The first and second materials have a co-fired bond therebetween, the co-fired bond hermetically sealing the hole.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting a conductor and a hermetic feedthrough of an implantable medical device includes welding a lead to a pad on a feedthrough. The feedthrough includes a ceramic insulator and a via hermetically bonded to the insulator. The via includes platinum. The pad is bonded to the insulator and electrically connected to the via, includes platinum, and has a thickness of at least 50 ?m.

Abstract: A method of interconnecting a conductor and a hermetic feedthrough of an implantable medical device includes welding a lead to a pad on a feedthrough. The feedthrough includes a ceramic insulator and a via hermetically bonded to the insulator. The via includes platinum. The pad is bonded to the insulator and electrically connected to the via, includes platinum, and has a thickness of at least 50 ?m. The lead includes at least one of niobium, platinum, titanium, tantalum, palladium, gold, nickel, tungsten, and oxides and alloys thereof.

Abstract: A lead frame for attaching leads to a hermetic feedthrough includes a cross-member and a plurality of leads. Each of the leads has an elongate body extending from the cross-member in a direction substantially parallel with one another, and each lead includes at least one of a notch on an end thereof opposite to the cross-member or a hole proximate to the end.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an implantable medical device includes manufacturing a hermetic feedthrough by providing a first sheet of unfired ceramic material, forming one or more holes through the sheet, inserting a first conductive material into one of the holes, and forming a pad in electrical contact with the first conductive material in one of the holes, wherein the pad comprises a plurality of layers and has a thickness of at least 50 micrometers, at least one layer comprising a second conductive material having a different composition than the first conductive material. The method further includes co-firing the unfired ceramic material, the first conductive material, and the second conductive material. The method further includes coupling the feedthrough to an encasement structure of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes an insulator, a conduit configured to conduct electricity through the insulator, and a ferrule coupled to the insulator. The insulator is formed from a ceramic material and the conduit and insulator have a co-fired bond therebetween, which hermetically seals the conduit with the insulator. The insulator is elongate and has opposing ends that include flat surfaces and the ferrule includes a frame for receiving the insulator.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes an insulator body and a ferrule. The insulator body includes ceramic material and one or more electrically conductive conduits extending through the insulator body. The insulator is disposed in an opening of the ferrule. The insulator body includes a plurality of substantially flat surfaces that each include a plurality of edges. A rounded corner extends between adjacent edges of any two adjacent substantially flat surfaces. Each corner between any two adjacent substantially flat surfaces that face toward the ferrule has an average radius that is less than approximately 25% of a length of the corresponding edges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), or an agronomically acceptable salt of said compounds wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined herein. The invention further relates to herbicidal compositions which comprise a compound of Formula (I), and to their use for controlling weeds, in particular in crops of useful plants.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes a sheet having a hole, where the sheet includes a ceramic comprising alumina. The feedthrough also includes a second material substantially filling the hole, where the second material includes a platinum powder mixture and an alumina additive. The platinum powder mixture includes a first platinum powder having a median particle size of between approximately 3 and 10 micrometers and a second platinum powder that is coarser than the first platinum powder and has a median particle size of between approximately 5 and 20 micrometers. The platinum powder mixture includes between approximately 50 and 80 percent by weight of the first platinum powder and between approximately 20 and 50 percent by weight of the second platinum powder. The first and second materials have a co-fired bond therebetween that hermetically seals the hole.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes an insulator, a conduit configured to conduct electricity through the insulator, and a ferrule coupled to the insulator. The insulator is formed from a ceramic material and the conduit and insulator have a co-fired bond therebetween, which hermetically seals the conduit with the insulator. The insulator is elongate and has opposing ends that include flat surfaces and the ferrule includes a frame for receiving the insulator.

Abstract: A feedthrough includes a sheet having a hole, where the sheet includes a first material that is a ceramic comprising alumina. The feedthrough further includes a second material substantially filling the hole. The second material is different than the first material and includes platinum and an additive that includes alumina. The first and second materials have a co-fired bond therebetween that hermetically seals the hole.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes an insulator body and a ferrule. The insulator body includes ceramic material and one or more electrically conductive conduits extending through the insulator body. The insulator is disposed in an opening of the ferrule. The insulator body includes a plurality of substantially flat surfaces that each include a plurality of edges. A rounded corner extends between adjacent edges of any two adjacent substantially flat surfaces. Each corner between any two adjacent substantially flat surfaces that face toward the ferrule has an average radius that is less than approximately 25% of a length of the corresponding edges.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes an insulator, a conduit configured to conduct electricity through the insulator, and a ferrule coupled to the insulator. The insulator is formed from a ceramic material and the conduit and insulator have a co-fired bond therebetween, which hermetically seals the conduit with the insulator. The insulator is elongate and has opposing ends that include flat surfaces and the ferrule includes a frame for receiving the insulator.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes an insulator, a conduit integrated with the insulator, and a pad coupled to an exterior surface of the insulator. The insulator includes a first material and the conduit includes a second material that is electrically conductive. The pad is configured to receive a lead coupled thereto. Further, the pad is electrically conductive and coupled to the conduit. The pad includes a first layer and a second layer overlaying at least a portion of the first layer.

Abstract: A feedthrough includes a sheet having a hole, where the sheet includes a first material that is a ceramic comprising alumina. The feedthrough further includes a second material substantially filling the hole. The second material is different than the first material and includes platinum and an additive that includes alumina. The first and second materials have a co-fired bond therebetween that hermetically seals the hole.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes an insulator, a conduit configured to conduct electricity through the insulator, and a ferrule coupled to the insulator. The insulator is formed from a ceramic material and the conduit and insulator have a co-fired bond therebetween, which hermetically seals the conduit with the insulator. The insulator is elongate and has opposing ends that include flat surfaces and the ferrule includes a frame for receiving the insulator.

Abstract: A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes a sheet having a hole, where the sheet includes a ceramic comprising alumina. The feedthrough also includes a second material substantially filling the hole, where the second material includes a platinum powder mixture and an alumina additive. The platinum powder mixture includes a first platinum powder having a median particle size of between approximately 3 and 10 micrometers and a second platinum powder that is coarser than the first platinum powder and has a median particle size of between approximately 5 and 20 micrometers. The platinum powder mixture includes between approximately 50 and 80 percent by weight of the first platinum powder and between approximately 20 and 50 percent by weight of the second platinum powder. The first and second materials have a co-fired bond therebetween that hermetically seals the hole.

Abstract: A lead frame for attaching leads to a hermetic feedthrough includes a cross-member and a plurality of leads. Each of the leads has an elongate body extending from the cross-member in a direction substantially parallel with one another, and each lead includes at least one of a notch on an end thereof opposite to the cross-member or a hole proximate to the end.