Hermetic Lead Connector Made By Diffusion Bonding An Intermediate Ceramic Ring To Opposed Conductive Contact Rings

A lead connector assembly for a medical device, the lead connector assembly comprising:

• a) at least two modular lead connectors, each modular lead connector comprising:
• i) first and second titanium contact rings;
• ii) an alumina ring having opposed first and second faces provided with respective first and second metallizations;
• and
• iii) first and second gold washers contacted to the respective first and second metallizations, wherein the alumina ring supporting the first and second gold washers is intermediate the first and second titanium contact rings, and
• iv) wherein the alumina ring is in axial alignment with and hermetically connected to the respective first and second titanium contact rings at respective first and second titanium/alumina diffusion bonds, and
• v) wherein the at least two modular lead connectors are axially aligned and welded together;
• and
• b) an open sleeve connected to a proximal-most one of the at least two axially aligned modular lead connectors;
• and
• c) a terminal plate welded to a distal-most one of the at least two axially aligned modular lead connectors.

An active medical device (AMD), comprising:

• a) a device housing comprising a housing sidewall defining an open housing interior, the housing sidewall extending to a device housing annular rim;
• b) a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly comprising a printed circuit board supporting at least one electronic component, wherein the PCB assembly is housed inside the housing interior;
• c) an electrical power source housed inside the housing interior and connected to the PCB assembly;
• d) a housing cap comprising a housing cap sidewall defining an open housing cap interior, the housing cap sidewall extending to an housing cap annular rim, wherein the housing cap sidewall comprising a lead opening;
• and
• e) a lead connector assembly, comprising:
• i) at least two modular lead connectors, each modular lead connector comprising:
• A) first and second titanium contact rings;
• B) an alumina ring having opposed first and second faces provided with respective first and second metallizations;
• and
• C) first and second gold washers contacted to the respective first and second metallizations, wherein the alumina ring supporting the first and second gold washers is intermediate the first and second titanium contact rings, and
• D) wherein the alumina ring is in axial alignment with and hermetically connected to the respective first and second titanium contact rings at respective first and second titanium/alumina diffusion bonds;
• and
• ii) wherein the at least two modular lead connectors are axially aligned and welded together;
• and
• iii) an open sleeve connected to a proximal-most one of the at least two axially aligned modular lead connectors;
• and
• iv) a terminal plate welded to a distal-most one of the at least two axially aligned modular lead connectors,
• v) wherein the open sleeve of the lead connector assembly is welded to an interior surface of the housing cap aligned with the lead opening;
• and
• f) at least one jumper wire extending from at least one of a second titanium contact ring welded to a first titanium contact ring of the respective at least two modular lead connectors to the PCB assembly housed inside the housing interior and connected to the electrical power source.