Robert Timothy Stevenson

US Patent:

6424234, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Sep 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/396021

Inventors:

Robert A. Stevenson - Canyon Country CA

Assignee:

Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

H01G 435

US Classification:

333182, 333185, 361302

Abstract:

A novel electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter is designed to attenuate one or more specific frequencies in order to provide electromagnetic compatibility of an electronic device while in the presence of an electromagnetic emitter operating at the same or similar frequencies. The EMI filter of the present invention combines an EMI low pass filter with one or more ânotchâ EMI filters tuned to the specific frequencies of interest. When combined in this fashion, the notch EMI filter can effectively attenuate the electromagnetic field of a powerful low frequency emitter which is outside the effective attenuation frequency range of the low pass filter, which is itself effective at filtering a broad range of higher frequencies. In a preferred embodiment, the notch EMI filter capacitive element is integrated in a co-planar relationship with a ceramic feedthrough filter capacitor assembly. This combined notch and low pass filter arrangement is particularly effective in an implantable medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) against passage of external interference signals, such as those caused by both digital cellular phones and electronic article surveillance systems operating at low frequencies.

US Patent:

6456481, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

May 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/872092

Inventors:

Robert A. Stevenson - Canyon Country CA

Assignee:

Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

H01G 435

US Classification:

361302, 3613061, 361303

Abstract:

An integrated electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter capacitor and DC blocking capacitor is provided in a single monolithic casing of ceramic dielectric material. First and second sets of electrode plates are disposed within the monolithic casing to form the DC blocking capacitor, and ground electrode plates are disposed between selected portions of the first and second sets of electrode plates to form the EMI filter. In several of the embodiments, the first and second sets of electrode plates form a plurality of distinct DC blocking capacitors. The ground electrode plates cooperatively form, with the first and second sets of electrode plates, EMI filters for each of the distinct DC blocking capacitors. Discontinuous lead wires may be provided which extend at least partially into the casing, wherein a first segment of the lead wire is conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, and a second set of the lead wire is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. Grounded shields also may be co-planarly disposed between adjacent components of the first and second sets of electrode plates to reduce cross-talk therebetween.

US Patent:

6473291, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Mar 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/820998

Inventors:

Robert A. Stevenson - Canyon Country CA

Assignee:

GB Aquisition Co., Inc. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

H01G 4228

US Classification:

3613063, 361309, 361311, 3613014

Abstract:

A chip capacitor is conductively coupled to spaced-apart (i. e. , non-conductively coupled) circuit traces of an integrated circuit to provide a four terminal network. The chip capacitor includes a casing of dielectric material having first and second sets of electrode plates disposed therein, a first conductive lead frame which is conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, and a second conductive lead frame which is conductively coupled to the second set of electrode plates. The first and second lead frames are, in turn, conductively coupled to the circuit traces so as to route the output (or input) current of an electronic device through the capacitor.

US Patent:

6566978, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Dec 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/733342

Inventors:

Robert A. Stevenson - Canyon Country CA
Matthew A. Dobbs - Gardnerville NV

Assignee:

Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

H03H 701

US Classification:

333182, 333185, 361302

Abstract:

A feedthrough capacitor filter assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of conductive electrode plates embedded within an insulative or dielectric body, and a leak detection vent for facilitated hermetic seal testing prior to use. At least one feedthrough terminal pin extends through the capacitor in conductive relative 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. A hermetic seal is seated within the ferrule at one side of the capacitor to prevent leakage of fluid through the filter assembly. The hermetic seal is spaced from a face of the capacitor to form a gap therebetween.

US Patent:

6567259, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Sep 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/251672

Inventors:

Robert A. Stevenson - Canyon Country CA
Donald K. Haskell - Flagstaff AZ
John E. Roberts - Carson City NV

Assignee:

Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. - Canyon Country CA

International Classification:

H01G 435

US Classification:

361302, 3613061, 361303

Abstract:

A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly for use in active implantable medical devices and a related process for manufacturing a monolithic ceramic capacitor utilizing dielectric materials having a dielectric constant greater than 7000, and preferably in the range of 8500 to 22,000. In the manufacture of the monolithic ceramic capacitor, one or more Curie point shifters and/or other dopants are added to the dielectric material to optimize the dielectric constant at the human body temperature of 37Â C. For manufacturing purposes, dopants may be added to the dielectric material to broaden the Curie point peak or point of maximum dielectric constant thereof. The effect is that when such capacitors and terminal assemblies are utilized in a high-voltage defibrillator circuit of an implantable medical device, the dielectric material is optimized so that during the delivery of high-voltage electrical energy, capacitance value of the capacitor drops substantially.

US Patent:

6529103, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

Sep 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/657123

Inventors:

Richard L. Brendel - Carson City NV
Robert A. Stevenson - Canyon Country CA

Assignee:

Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

H03H 701

US Classification:

333182, 333185, 361302

Abstract:

An improved internally grounded feedthrough filter capacitor includes at least one conductive terminal pin, a feedthrough filter capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates and a first passageway through which the terminal pin extends in conductive relation with the first set of electrode plates, and a conductive ferrule through which the terminal pin passes in non-conductive relation. A conductive ground plane includes a plate which substantially spans and supports an adjacent face of the feedthrough filter capacitor, and an integral grounded terminal pin which extends into a second passageway through the feedthrough filter capacitor in conductive relation with the second set of electrode plates. A washer electrically insulates the feedthrough filter capacitor from the conductive ferrule except for the conductive relation between the grounded terminal pin and the second set of electrode plates.

US Patent:

6643903, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Mar 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812371

Inventors:

Robert A. Stevenson - Canyon Country CA
Donald K. Haskell - Minden NV
Richard L. Brendel - Carson City NV

Assignee:

Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

H01G 700

US Classification:

29 2542, 29 2541, 295921, 29832, 29837, 174256, 174257, 361302, 361303, 3613061, 361309

Abstract:

A process for manufacturing an EMI filter feedthrough terminal assembly is provided for mating a feedthrough filter capacitor with an hermetic terminal assembly including a ferrule and one or more lead wires which extend through the ferrule in non-conductive relation. The process includes the steps of placing the hermetic terminal assembly, having a capture flange, into a holding fixture, and forming a seat of non-conductive thermal-setting material onto the terminal assembly within the capture flange. A feedthrough filter capacitor is loaded into the capture flange on top of the seat, and then the seat is cured. A conductive thermal-setting material is dispensed between an outer diameter of the feedthrough filter capacitor and the capture flange. The assembly is then centrifuged to pack the conductive thermal-setting material. The conductive thermal-setting material is then cured between the outer diameter of the feedthrough filter capacitor and the capture flange.

US Patent:

6765779, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Feb 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/377086

Inventors:

Robert A. Stevenson - Canyon Country CA
Jason Woods - Carson City NV
Christine A. Frysz - Columbia MD
Richard L. Brendel - Carson City NV
Haitong Zeng - Columbia MD

Assignee:

Greatbatch-Sierra, Inc. - Carson City NV

International Classification:

H01G 435

US Classification:

361302, 3613061, 607 5

Abstract:

An EMI feedthrough filter terminal assembly includes a feedthrough filter capacitor having first and second sets of electrode plates, a passageway having a first termination surface conductively coupling the first set of electrode plates, and a second termination surface exteriorly coupling the second set of electrode plates. A conductive ferrule disposed adjacent to the capacitor includes a conductive pad of an oxide resistant biostable material on a surface thereof conductively coupled to the second termination surface. A conductive terminal pin extends through the passageway in conductive relation with the first set of electrode plates, and through the ferrule in non-conductive relation. An insulator is fixed to the ferrule for conductively isolating the terminal pin from the ferrule. A hermetic seal is disposed between the insulator and the ferrule.