Tubular feedthrough system for hermetically sealed devices
First Claim
1. A tubular feedthrough system for an implanted device comprising:
- a casing,a tube having one end positioned within the casing and the other end extending out of the casing,the tube being hermetically sealed to the casing so that the only non-sealed opening into the casing is through the tube, the non-sealed tube thereby functioning as a means for venting moisture and other volatile gases formed within the casing, andsealing means for sealing the end of the tube extending out of the casing after the moisture and other volatile gases have been vented therethrough, thereby hermetically sealing the casing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for hermetically sealing implantable devices, such as a microstimulator, moicrotransducer, microtelemeter, or the like, prevents entrapment of water vapors and other volatile gases, and allows hermeticity testing at all manufacturing levels. The venting of water vapors and other volatile gases is accomplished with a tubular feedthrough that allows such gases trapped within the sealed device to vent during the manufacturing process. The tubular feedthrough also establishes a conduit through which leakage tests or other hermeticity tests can be conducted prior to and after sealing the feedthrough. The tubular feedthrough, when made from conductive materials, also provides for electrical connections between electronic circuits sealed within the device and electrodes and other electrical terminals on the outside of the capsule.
210 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A tubular feedthrough system for an implanted device comprising:
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a casing, a tube having one end positioned within the casing and the other end extending out of the casing, the tube being hermetically sealed to the casing so that the only non-sealed opening into the casing is through the tube, the non-sealed tube thereby functioning as a means for venting moisture and other volatile gases formed within the casing, and sealing means for sealing the end of the tube extending out of the casing after the moisture and other volatile gases have been vented therethrough, thereby hermetically sealing the casing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A tubular feedthrough system for an implantable device comprising:
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a casing (20) adapted for implantation in living tissue, said casing having an opening (32) therein; a tube (30) having a first end, a second end, and a passageway therethrough connecting the first end with the second end; means for hermetically sealing a sealing element (28,
29) around the tube;means for hermetically sealing the sealing element to the opening in the casing such that the first end of the tube resides inside of the casing while the second end of the tube resides outside of the casing, the passageway through the tube thereby providing a vent hole through which volatile gases within the casing may escape; means for hermetically sealing the tube. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification