Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument configured for connection to a supply apparatus for operation. The instrument has an end opening at the distal end and supports at least one electrode in the area of the end opening to which an alternating voltage potential can be applied. Directly adjoining the end opening, a liner of the electrosurgical instrument limits a flow chamber inside the liner. With distance to the end opening a flushing channel opens out into the flow chamber via an exit opening and a suction channel opens out into the flow chamber via an inlet opening. A flushing fluid can be introduced in the flow chamber via the flushing channel and can be extracted by suction via the suction channel.

Abstract: A method and a test device are disclosed for testing whether the relative position and orientation of a distal end of an optical fiber relative to its electrode and/or handle piece of a medical instrument is correct. Light is coupled into a proximal end of optical fiber and is emitted at the distal end thereof onto a projection surface. At the proximal end the light of the light source is coupled eccentrically and/or asymmetrically relative to a center of a proximal face of the optical fiber. A light pattern is created on the projection surface that can be tested based on at least one test criterion in order to test the correct arrangement or orientation of the distal end. The test can be carried out automatically by a camera and a central unit or by a user by observing the light pattern on the projection surface.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a condition of an optical fiber cable of an electrosurgical instrument with regard to its transfer characteristic for light are described. The system can comprise an evaluation unit having a light source and a light analysis unit that can be optically coupled with the optical fiber cable. The emission light emitted from the light source is coupled in the optical fiber cable, reflected at its distal end and transmitted back to the light analysis unit and is received as receipt light. The receipt light is correlated with the emission light and therefrom a transfer characteristic can be determined. If this is carried out prior to the first use of the electrosurgical instrument and subsequently at least once, changes in the transfer characteristic can be determined and the condition of the optical fiber cable can be concluded.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) serves for attachment of a light receiving device (24) for light analysis on an instrument (11) or an instrument component (12) during surgery by the surgery user of a surgical instrument (11) or their assistant. The apparatus (10) is preferably configured to releasably attach the light receiving device (24) on the instrument (11) or the instrument component (12). The apparatus (10) can comprise a light receiving device (24) and an electrode (15) fixed relative thereto. The electrode (15) can alternatively also be part of the instrument (11). The apparatus (10) can be releasably attachable to the instrument (11) or the instrument component (12) and can form an adapter for attachment of the light receiving device (24) on the instrument (11) or the instrument component (12) or can also be configured as part of the instrument (10).

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument configured for connection to a supply apparatus for operation. The instrument has an end opening at the distal end and supports at least one electrode in the area of the end opening to which an alternating voltage potential can be applied. Directly adjoining the end opening, a liner of the electrosurgical instrument limits a flow chamber inside the liner. With distance to the end opening a flushing channel opens out into the flow chamber via an exit opening and a suction channel opens out into the flow chamber via an inlet opening. A flushing fluid can be introduced in the flow chamber via the flushing channel and can be extracted by suction via the suction channel.

Abstract: A two-piece flexplate assembly having a ring gear welded to a central plate using a capacitor discharge welding process. The weld is established between a joining structure defined between the ring gear and the central plate using either an overlap arrangement, a projection arrangement, or a chamfer arrangement.

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 two-piece flexplate assembly having a ring gear welded to a central plate using a capacitor discharge welding process. The weld is established between a joining structure defined between the ring gear and the central plate using either an overlap arrangement, a projection arrangement, or a chamfer arrangement.

Abstract: A two-piece flexplate assembly having a ring gear welded to a central plate using a capacitor discharge welding process. The weld is established between a joining structure defined between the ring gear and the central plate using either an overlap arrangement, a projection arrangement, or a chamfer arrangement.

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 gear housing comprised of a first gear housing portion and a second gear housing portion, wherein the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion are permanently connected to each other by means of a friction stir welding connection, and a corresponding method for producing such a gear housing.

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 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.