RF resistant feedthrough assembly and electrical stimulation systems containing the assembly

• US 8,954,151 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2014
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Lopez, Thomas, McDonald, Matthew Lee, Gupta, Gaurav
• Primary Examiner(s): Gedeon, Brian T
• Application Number:
  US14/166,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20140214130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs

Abstract

A control module for an electrical stimulation system includes a casing having an electrically-conductive portion; an electronic subassembly disposed in the casing; and a header portion coupled to the casing and including a connector for a lead or lead extension. The control module also includes a feedthrough assembly coupling the casing to the header portion. The feedthrough assembly includes a non-conductive ceramic block; conductive feedthrough pins passing through the ceramic block and electrically coupling the connector to the electronic subassembly disposed in the casing; a metal flange disposed around, and attached to, the ceramic block, and a non-conductive spacer attached to the metal flange and to the casing to raise the ceramic block above, and away from, the casing. Other control modules include a ceramic block that has a rim portion that raises the plate portion, through which the feedthrough pins pass, of the block away from the casing.

Claims

1. A control module for an electrical stimulation system, comprising:

a casing defining an inner space, the casing comprising at least one electrically-conductive portion;

an electronic subassembly disposed in the inner space of the casing, the electronic subassembly comprising a pulse generator;

a header portion coupled to the casing and comprising a connector configured and arranged to receive a proximal end of at least one lead or lead extension, the connector comprising a plurality of conductive contacts configured and arranged to electrically couple to terminal contacts on the at least one lead or lead extension;

a feedthrough assembly coupling the casing to the header portion and, in combination with the casing, sealing the inner space of the casing, the feedthrough assembly comprising

a non-conductive ceramic block having a first surface facing the inner space of the casing, a second surface, opposite the first surface, facing the header portion, and a side surface disposed between, and connecting, the first and second surfaces,

a plurality of conductive feedthrough pins passing through the ceramic block from the first surface to the second surface, the feedthrough pins electrically coupling the conductive contacts of the connector to the electronic subassembly disposed in the inner space of the casing,

a metal flange disposed around, and attached to, the side surface of the ceramic block, and

a non-conductive spacer attached to the metal flange and to the casing to raise the ceramic block above, and away from, the casing.

2. The control module of claim 1, wherein the metal flange is brazed to the ceramic block.

3. The control module of claim 1, wherein the feedthrough assembly further comprises a first metal ring that attaches the metal flange to the non-conductive spacer.

4. The control module of claim 3, wherein the feedthrough assembly further comprises a second metal ring that attaches the non-conductive spacer to the casing.

5. The control module of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive spacer is a ceramic spacer.

6. The control module of claim 1, wherein the metal flange is seated on top of the non-conductive spacer.

7. The control module of claim 1, wherein the feedthrough assembly and the casing hermetically seal the inner space of the casing.

8. An electrical stimulation system, comprising

the control module of claim 1;

and

a lead having a proximal end configured and arranged to be received in the connector of the control module.