CONDUCTIVE POLYMER PATTERNED ELECTRODE FOR PACING

• US 20080071338A1
• Filed: 09/20/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Jiang, Xiangchun, Ely, Kevin J., Polkinghorne, Jeannette C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,311,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0568 with drug delivery

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus and method for making a polymer patterned electrode for cardiac pacing and sensing. The electrode surface includes a polymer overlayed on an electrode. The polymer layer is patterned to form an electrode surface consisting of a polymer and a conductive metal surface. The electrode can be made of a high or low impedance electrode by changing the conductivity of the polymer. Furthermore, the electrode surface texture can be optimized with a micro pattern that may enhance the biocompatibility. The polymer may be conductive or insulative.

Claims

1. A method of making an implantable electrode comprising:

forming a polymer layer on a conductive metal substrate;

patterning the polymer layer to form an electrode surface that includes a polymer with exposed conductive metal substrate.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein forming the polymer layer includes depositing on the conductive metal substrate one of the group consisting of a conductive polymer, a non-conductive polymer, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein depositing a conductive polymer further comprises depositing one or more of the group consisting of polypyrrole, polyethylene glycol, poly(pyrrole), poly(naphthalene), poly(thiophene), PEDOT, Nafion, poly(ethylene) oxide or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein depositing a conductive polymer further comprises depositing Parylene.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein forming the conductive polymer layer includes depositing the conductive polymer layer on a metal substrate made of one or more of platinum, titanium, platinum iridium, iridium oxide, titanium nitride, titanium oxide, titanium oxynitride, titanium carbide, tantalum oxide, tantalum nitride, tantalum oxynitride, platinum, titanium, tantalum, and combinations thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein patterning the conductive polymer layer further comprises patterning the polymer with a laser.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein patterning the conductive polymer layer further comprises patterning the polymer with a chemical.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprises placing a mask on the polymer layer.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming a micropattern on the polymer layer.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein forming the polymer layer further comprises depositing the polymer using one or more of dip-coating, brush-coating, drop coating, electrochemical deposition, electrospinning, sputtering or by electrodeposited.

11. The method of claims 1 wherein forming the polymer layer further includes forming a layer by physical vapor deposition.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising loading a drug into or onto the polymer coating.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying a degradable coating after covering the surface with a capacitive coating.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein patterning the polymer layer further comprises making holes in the polymer layer.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein patterning the polymer layer further comprises removing strips of the polymer.

17. The implantable electrode of claim 14 wherein the patterned coating further comprises a patterned polymer and exposed electrode substrate.

18. The implantable electrode of claim 15 wherein the patterned polymer further comprises a conductive polymer

19. The implantable electrode of claim 15 wherein the patterned polymer further comprises a insulative polymer

16. An implantable electrode comprising:

a conductive electrode substrate;

a patterned polymer coating placed on the electrode substrate whereby an impedance of the electrode is increased.

20. An implantable lead for use with a cardiac pacemaker comprising:

an electrical conductor having a proximal end and a distal end;

an insulative sheath covering said conductor;

an electrical connector coupled to said proximal end of said conductor; and

an electrode coupled to said distal end of said conductor, said electrode including a polymer placed on the surface of the electrode, the polymer being patterned in a desired pattern.