Hermetic implantable sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sensor, comprising:
- a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance;
at least one conductor disposed over a preselected external surface location on the substrate, wherein the external surface location is planar and disposed on an upper or lower external surface of the substrate, and the at least one conductor is elongated along the external surface location and made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material which contains particles of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium;
a coating made of a second insulating material formed over at least a portion of the at least one conductor to hermetically seal at least a portion of the at least one conductor;
an exposed distal region of the at least one conductor providing a detection electrode; and
the at least one conductor being sintered by heating to a temperature within a range that extends from below a melting point of the particles of metal to approximately 300°
C. below the melting point of the particles of metal and having a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or constituents thereof through the at least one conductor, wherein the at least one conductor is hermetic along its elongated length.
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Abstract
At least one conductor is formed at a preselected location on a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance. The conductor is made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material. A coating made of a second insulating material is formed over the substrate to hermetically seal at least a portion of the conductor. An exposed distal region of the conductor provides a detection electrode. The conductor has a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or constituents thereof through the conductor.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sensor, comprising:
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a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance; at least one conductor disposed over a preselected external surface location on the substrate, wherein the external surface location is planar and disposed on an upper or lower external surface of the substrate, and the at least one conductor is elongated along the external surface location and made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material which contains particles of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium; a coating made of a second insulating material formed over at least a portion of the at least one conductor to hermetically seal at least a portion of the at least one conductor; an exposed distal region of the at least one conductor providing a detection electrode; and the at least one conductor being sintered by heating to a temperature within a range that extends from below a melting point of the particles of metal to approximately 300°
C. below the melting point of the particles of metal and having a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or constituents thereof through the at least one conductor, wherein the at least one conductor is hermetic along its elongated length. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A sensor suitable for implanting in living tissue for monitoring the level of a biological agent in a tissue fluid, comprising:
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a substrate made of a first biocompatible insulating material having a high temperature resistance selected from the group consisting of ceramic and glass/ceramic combinations; at least one conductor disposed over a preselected external surface location on the substrate, wherein the external surface location is planar and disposed on an upper or lower external surface of the substrate, and the at least one conductor is elongated along the external surface location and made from an electrically conductive thick film material containing particles of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium; a coating made of a second biocompatible insulating material selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramic, glass/ceramic combinations, and polymers, and formed over at least a portion of the at least one conductor to hermetically seal at least a portion of the at least one conductor leaving at least one exposed region thereof to provide a detection electrode; and the at least one conductor being made of metal particles sintered by heating to a temperature within a range that extends from below a melting point of the particles of metal to approximately 300°
C. below the melting point of the particles of metal and the at least one conductor having a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of the tissue fluid or any constituents thereof through the at least one conductor, wherein the at least one conductor is hermetic along its elongated length;whereby instances of sensor failure and/or inaccuracy during implanted operation are minimized.
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12. An electrochemical sensor, comprising:
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a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance; at least one conductor disposed over a preselected external surface location on the substrate, wherein the external surface location is planar and disposed on an upper or lower external surface of the substrate, and the at least one conductor is elongated along the external surface location and made from an electrically conductive thick film material containing particles of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium; a coating made of a second insulating material formed over at least a portion of the at least one conductor to hermetically seal at least a portion of the at least one conductor leaving at least one exposed region to provide a detection electrode; and the at least one conductor being sintered by heating to a temperature within a range that extends from below a melting point of the particles of metal to approximately 300°
C. below the melting point of the particles of metal and having a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or gaseous diffusion through the at least one conductor, where the at least one conductor is hermetic along its elongated length.
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13. A device, a portion of which relies on the conduction of electricity for its function, suitable for implanting in living tissue, which may come into contact with tissue fluid, comprising:
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a substrate made of a first biocompatible insulating material having a high temperature resistance; at least one conductor disposed over a preselected external surface location on the substrate, wherein the external surface location is planar and disposed on an upper or lower external surface of the substrate, and the at least one conductor is elongated along the external surface location and made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material containing particles of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium; a coating made from a second biocompatible insulating material formed over at least a portion of the at least one conductor to hermetically seal at least a portion of the at least one conductor; the at least one conductor being sintered by heating to a temperature within a range that extends from below a melting point of the particles of metal to approximately 300°
C. below the melting point of the particles of metal and having a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of the tissue fluid or constituents thereof through the at least one conductor, wherein the at least one conductor is hermetic along its elongated length;a sealed internal portion of the device containing electrical circuitry; and means for making an electrical connection to the at least one conductor from the exterior of the device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A sensor, comprising:
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a substrate made of a first insulating material having a high temperature resistance; at least one conductor disposed over a preselected external surface location on the substrate, wherein the external surface location is planar and disposed on an upper or lower external surface of the substrate, and the at least one conductor is elongated along the external surface location and made from a solidified electrically conductive thick film material containing particles of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium; a coating made of a second insulating material formed over at least a portion of the at least one conductor to hermetically seal at least a portion of the at least one conductor; a conductive filled via formed in an aperture in the substrate and in electrical contact with the at least one conductor; and the at least one conductor being sintered by heating to a temperature within a range that extends from below a melting point of the particles of metal to approximately 300°
C. below the melting point of the particles of metal and having a reduced porosity that inhibits migration of fluid or constituents thereof through the at least one conductor, wherein the at least one conductor is hermetic along its elongated length.
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Specification