Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for active implantable medical devices includes a structural wire bond pad for a convenient attachment of wires from either the circuitry inside the implantable medical device or wires external to the device. Direct attachment of wire bond pads to terminal pins enables thermal or ultrasonic bonding of lead wires, while shielding the capacitor or other delicate components from the forces applied to the assembly during attachment of the wires.

Abstract: An implantable passive or active electronic network component or component network is provided which is suitable for prolonged direct body fluid exposure and is attachable to a conductive surface, circuit trace, lead or electrode. The electronic network component or component network includes (1) a non-conductive body of biocompatible and non-migratable material, (2) a conductive termination surface of biocompatible and non-migratable material, associated with the body, and (3) a connection material of biocompatible and non-migratable material, for conductively coupling the termination surface to the conductive surface, circuit trace, lead or electrode. The electronic network component may include a capacitor, a resistor, an inductor, a diode, a transistor, an electronic switch, a MEMs device, or a microchip.

Abstract: A shielded three-terminal flat-through EMI/energy dissipating filter includes an active electrode plate through which a circuit current passes between a first terminal and a second terminal, a first shield plate on a first side of the active electrode plate, and a second shield plate on a second side of the active electrode plate opposite the first shield plate. The first and second shield plates are conductively coupled to a grounded third terminal. In preferred embodiments, the active electrode plate and the shield plates are at least partially disposed with a hybrid flat-through substrate that may include a flex cable section, a rigid cable section, or both.

Abstract: A hybrid capacitor includes a body of dielectric material having spaced-apart first and second surfaces. A first electrode is associated with the first surface. A second electrode is associated with the second surface. One or more third electrodes are transversely disposed within the dielectric body between the first and second electrodes. Either the first or second electrode is not conductively coupled to any electrode transversely extending into the body. The resulting arrangement provides a hybrid capacitor having characteristics of both a tubular capacitor and a discoidal capacitor.

Abstract: An EMI filter capacitor assembly utilizes biocompatible and non-migratable materials to adapt electronic components for direct body fluid exposure. The assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates which are constructed of non-migratable biocompatible material A conductive hermetic terminal of non-migratable and biocompatible material adjacent to the capacitor is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. One or more conductive terminal pins having at least an outer surface of non-migratable and biocompatible material are conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, while extending through the hermetic terminal in non-conductive relation. The terminal pins may be in direct contact with the first set of electrode plates, or in contact with a termination surface of conductive connection material. The termination surface is also constructed of non-migratable and biocompatible materials.

Abstract: An EMI filter capacitor assembly and implantable passive electronic network components utilize biocompatible and non-migratable materials to adapt the electronic components for direct body fluid exposure. The assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates which are constructed of non-migratable biocompatible material. A conductive hermetic terminal of non-migratable and biocompatible material adjacent to the capacitor is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. One or more conductive terminal pins having at least an outer surface of non-migratable and biocompatible material are conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, while extending through the hermetic terminal in non-conductive relation. The terminal pins may be in direct contact with the first set of electrode plates, or in contact with a termination surface of conductive connection material. The termination surface is also constructed of non-migratable and biocompatible materials.

Abstract: A tank filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The tank filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the tank filter is resonant at a selected frequency. A passageway through the tank filter permits selective slidable passage of a guide wire therethrough for locating the lead wire in an implantable position. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the tank filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the tank filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device.

Abstract: A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of conductive electrode plates embedded within a dielectric body and mounted to the hermetic terminal of an implantable medical device. A laminar delamination gap is provided between the capacitor sealing materials and the hermetic terminal assembly to facilitate helium leak detection. At least one feedthrough terminal pin extends through the capacitor in conductive relation with the first set of electrode plates, and an outer ferrule is mounted about the capacitor in conductive relation with the second set of electrode plates. The mounting washer is spaced against the hermetic seal and is adhesively connected to the feedthrough capacitor. The mounting washer forms a laminar flow delamination through which helium molecules can flow during a helium leak detection test. Provision is made for a pre-connection to the gold braze so that the capacitor inside diameter termination is not electrically isolated from the lead wire.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic interference filter terminal assembly for active implantable medical devices includes a structural pad in the form of a substrate or attached wire bond pad, for convenient attachment of wires from the circuitry inside the implantable medical device to the capacitor structure via thermal or ultrasonic bonding, soldering or the like while shielding the capacitor from forces applied to the assembly during attachment of the wires.

Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for an active implantable medical device utilizes an insert to establish a reliable electrical connection between capacitor electrode plates, via inner surface metallization of a capacitor aperture, and an associated terminal pin 10, which passes at least partially therethrough. The inserts are preferably resiliently flexible, such as a spring, to establish this connection. The insert also serves to establish a mechanical connection between the capacitor and the terminal pin.

Abstract: An EMI filter capacitor assembly utilizes biocompatible and non-migratable materials to adapt electronic components for direct body fluid exposure. The assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates which are constructed of non-migratable biocompatible material. A conductive hermetic terminal of non-migratable and biocompatible material adjacent to the capacitor is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. One or more conductive terminal pins having at least an outer surface of non-migratable and biocompatible material are conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, while extending through the hermetic terminal in non-conductive relation. The terminal pins may be in direct contact with the first set of electrode plates, or in contact with a termination surface of conductive connection material. The termination surface is also constructed of non-migratable and biocompatible materials.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic interference filter terminal assembly for active implantable medical devices includes a structural pad in the form of a substrate or attached wire bond pad, for convenient attachment of wires from the circuitry inside the implantable medical device to the capacitor structure via thermal or ultrasonic bonding, soldering or the like while shielding the capacitor from forces applied to the assembly during attachment of the wires.

Abstract: An insulative shield is co-bonded to the top of a ceramic capacitor in a feedthrough terminal assembly on an active implantable medical device. The insulative shield is a thin substrate that provides protection against damage and degradation of the feedthrough capacitor and/or its conformal coating from heat, splatter or debris resulting from the electromechanical connection of components during construction of the assembly. Laser welding, thermal or ultrasonic bonding, soldering, brazing or related lead attachment techniques can create such heat, splatter or debris. In a preferred embodiment, the insulative shield is co-bonded using the capacitor's own conformal coating.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for active implantable medical devices includes a structural pad, in the form of a substrate or attached wire bond pad, for convenient attachment of wires from the circuitry inside the implantable medical device.

Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for an active implantable medical device includes a conductive ferrule conductively coupled to a housing of the medical device, a feedthrough capacitor conductively coupled to the ferrule, an inductor closely associated with the capacitor in non-conductive relation, and a conductive terminal pin extending through the capacitor and the inductor. The terminal pin extends through the inductor in non-conductive relation and is conductively coupled to active electrode plates of the capacitor. In one preferred form, the terminal pin is wound about the inductor. Additionally, the inductor may be maintained in close association with the capacitor without forming a direct physical attachment therebetween.

Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for an active implantable medical device utilizes to establish a reliable electrical connection between capacitor electrode plates, via inner surface metallization of a capacitor aperture, and an associated terminal pin 10, which passes at least partially therethrough. The inserts are preferably resiliently flexible, such as a spring, to establish this connection. The insert also serves to establish a mechanical connection between the capacitor and the terminal pin.

Abstract: An EMI filter capacitor assembly utilizes biocompatible and non-migratable materials to adapt electronic components for direct body fluid exposure. The assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates which are constructed of non-migratable biocompatible material. A conductive hermetic terminal of non-migratable and biocompatible material adjacent to the capacitor is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. One or more conductive terminal pins having at least an outer surface of non-migratable and biocompatible material are conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, while extending through the hermetic terminal in non-conductive relation. The terminal pins may be in direct contact with the first set of electrode plates, or in contact with a termination surface of conductive connection material. The termination surface is also constructed of non-migratable and biocompatible materials.

Abstract: EMI feedthrough filter terminal assembly includes a feedthrough filter capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates, and a first passageway having a first termination surface conductively coupling the first set of electrode plates. At least one lead wire extends through the first passageway and is conductively attached to a first oxide resistant conductive pad. The first pad is conductively coupled to the first termination surface independently of the lead wire. The terminal assembly may also include a conductive ferrule through which the lead wire passes in non-conductive relation, and an insulator fixed to the ferrule for conductively isolating the lead wire from the ferrule. The ferrule and insulator form a pre-fabricated hermetic terminal pin sub-assembly. The capacitor may include a second passageway having a second termination surface conductively coupling the second set of electrode plates, and a conductive ground lead extending therethrough.

Abstract: An EMI filtered connector includes a plurality of conductive terminal pins, a grounded conductive connector housing through which the terminal pins pass in non-conductive relation, and an array of feedthrough filter capacitors. Each of the feedthrough filtered capacitors has a distinct first set of electrode plates, a non-distinct second set of electrode plates, and a first passageway through which a respective terminal pin extends in conductive relation with the first set of electrode plates. At least one ground lead is conductively coupled to the conductive connector housing and extends into a second passageway through the array of feedthrough filter capacitors in conductive relation with the second set of electrode plates. An insulator is disposed in or adjacent to the connector for mounting the conductive terminal pins for passage through the conductive connector with the conductive terminal pins and the connector in non-conductive relation.

Abstract: A feedthrough terminal assembly for an active implantable medical device includes a conductive ferrule conductively coupled to a housing of the medical device, a feedthrough capacitor conductively coupled to the ferrule, an inductor closely associated with the capacitor in non-conductive relation, and a conductive terminal pin extending through the capacitor and the inductor. The terminal pin extends through the inductor in non-conductive relation and is conductively coupled to active electrode plates of the capacitor. In one preferred form, the terminal pin is wound about the inductor. Additionally, the inductor may be maintained in close association with the capacitor without forming a direct physical attachment therebetween.