Abstract: A process for creating a laser braze weld joint between a current collector and a terminal pin in the construction of electrochemical cells is described. The laser braze welding process utilizes a laser weld instrument to create a braze-like joint between two work pieces. The weld joint is created by controlling the amount of laser heat and energy imparted to the work pieces through proper control and positioning of the laser beam with respect to the work pieces. Preferably, the method is used to bond the terminal pin to the cathode current collector. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary or secondary cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices.

Abstract: A co-connected hermetic feedthrough, feedthrough capacitor, and leadwire assembly includes a dielectric substrate with a via hole disposed through the dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A conductive fill is disposed within the via forming a hermetic seal and is electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A feedthrough capacitor is attached to the dielectric substrate and includes a capacitor dielectric substrate, an unfilled capacitor via hole including an inner metallization, a set of capacitor active electrode plates electrically coupled to the inner metallization, an outer metallization disposed and a set of capacitor ground electrode plates electrically coupled to the outer metallization. A conductive leadwire is disposed within the unfilled capacitor via hole. An electrical joint connects the conductive fill, the capacitor inner metallization along with the capacitor active electrode plates and the conductive leadwire.

Abstract: A shielded component or network for an active medical device (AMD) implantable lead includes (1) an implantable lead having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, all external of an AMD housing, (2) a passive component or network disposed somewhere along the length of the implantable lead, the passive component or network including at least one inductive component having a first inductive value, and (3) an electromagnetic shield substantially surrounding the inductive component or the passive network. The first inductive value of the inductive component is adjusted to a account for a shift in its inductance to a second inductive value when shielded.

Abstract: Deep brain electrodes are remotely sensed and activated by means of a remote active implantable medical device (AIMD). In a preferred form, a pulse generator is implanted in the pectoral region and includes a hermetic seal through which protrudes a conductive leadwire which provides an external antenna for transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) pulses. One or more deep brain electrode modules are constructed and placed which can transmit and receive RF energy from the pulse generator. An RF telemetry link is established between the implanted pulse generator and the deep brain electrode assemblies. The satellite modules are configured for generating pacing pulses for a variety of disease conditions, including epileptic seizures, Turrets Syndrome, Parkinson's Tremor, and a variety of other neurological or brain disorders.

Abstract: A method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy, including the option of using such arbitrary waveforms for charge balancing purposes.

Abstract: An RFID tag interrogator is described. The interrogator comprises a time-out circuit and an actuatable RF signal generator for transmitting an electromagnetic signal. Upon first actuation, the RF signal generator transmits a first electromagnetic signal having a first limited total continuous transmit time that is no longer than a predetermined transmit-time. That transmission is followed by an interim period of a defined length where the time-out circuit renders the interrogator incapable of transmitting the electromagnetic signal. The interim period is followed by the RF signal generator transmitting a second electromagnetic signal having a second limited total continuous transmit time that is no longer than the predetermined transmit time. The time-out circuit prevents the first, second and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal that are each no longer than the predetermined transmit time after a prior electromagnetic signal has been transmitted until the interim period has expired.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods incorporate the most-used functions of a electrical stimulator's controller into a small, thin pocket controller that is not only comfortable to carry in a pocket, but can also be attached to a key ring, lanyard, or other such carrying device for ease of daily use. A separate patient controller charger is used to charge and control the implanted medical device.

Abstract: A co-fired hermetically sealed feedthrough is attachable to an active implantable medical device. The feedthrough comprises an alumina dielectric substrate comprising at least 96 or 99% alumina. A via hole is disposed through the alumina dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A substantially closed pore, fritless and substantially pure platinum fill is disposed within the via hole forming a platinum filled via electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A hermetic seal is between the platinum fill and the alumina dielectric substrate, wherein the hermetic seal comprises a tortuous and mutually conformal interface between the alumina dielectric substrate and the platinum fill.

Abstract: An elevated feedthrough is attachable to a top or a side of an active implantable medical device. The feedthrough includes a conductive ferrule and a dielectric substrate. The dielectric substrate is defined as comprising a body fluid side and a device side disposed within the conductive ferrule. The dielectric substrate includes a body fluid side elevated portion generally raised above the conductive ferrule. At least one via hole is disposed through the dielectric substrate from the body fluid side to the device side. A conductive fill is disposed within the at least one via hole forming a hermetic seal and electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A leadwire connection feature is on the body fluid side electrically coupled to the conductive fill and disposed adjacent to the elevated portion of the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: An ambulatory monitoring device includes a sensor to monitor a physiological signal and a battery power source. The device also includes a wireless transceiver adapted to monitor a first frequency band having frequencies below 1 MHz and configured to detect and receive, using less than 10 micro-amps of current from the battery power source when operating, wireless communications within the first frequency band from a remote device at least one meter away. The wireless transceiver is further adapted to transmit—after receipt from the remote device of a first wireless communication within the first frequency band that includes an invitation for further communication—a second wireless communication in a second frequency band having frequencies above 10 MHz, the second wireless communication comprising data indicative of the physiological signal as sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a handle assembly, and a catheter body coupled with the handle assembly, where the catheter body extends to a deflectable distal end portion, and the deflectable distal end is controllable by a flexible element. A lever actuator member is operatively coupled with the flexible element, and movement of the actuator member provides for movement of the flexible element.

Abstract: An implantable lead includes a lead conductor having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end. A self-resonant inductor is connected in series along a portion of the length of the lead conductor. The self-resonant inductor includes a single length of conductive material including a dielectric coating substantially surrounding the single length of conductive material. The self-resonant inductor includes a first coiled or spiral conductor disposed along an inductor section spanning in a first direction from a first location to a second location. A second coiled or spiral conductor is disposed along the inductor section spanning in a second direction from the second location to the first location, where the second direction is opposite the first direction. A third coiled or spiral conductor is disposed along the inductor section spanning in the first direction from the first location to the second location.