Implantable carbon electrode

• US 4,281,668 A
• Filed: 09/21/1979
• Issued: 08/04/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter AB
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Richter, Gerhard, Weidlich, Erhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/077,622
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 128/784-786, 128/419 P, 128/642
• US Class Current: 607/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to an implantable carbon electrode. With such an electrode, the energy loss -- occurring after the implantation -- is to be largely avoided and also thrombus formation prevented. For this purpose the invention provides a smooth coating of hydrophilic ion conducting plastic for the electrode, comprising at least on the surface thereof, body and/or blood compatible material. The carbon electrode according to the invention serves in particular as a stimulus electrode, preferably in cardiac pacemakers.

Claims

1. An implantable carbon electrode comprised of an electrically conductive electrode body and an electrode head, said electrode adapted for contact with an insulated lead-in cable, wherein at least the surface of said electrode head comprises a material selected from the group consisting of glass carbon and pyrolytic carbon which has been superficially activated to present a microporous surface, and wherein the surface of said electrode is provided with a smooth coating consisting of a hydrophilic, ion-conducting plastic having at least a surface thereof comprised of a body and/or blood compatible material.

2. The implantable carbon electrode of claim 1 wherein said coating consists of a hydrogel.

3. The implantable electrode of claim 1 wherein said coating consists of an ion exchange material.

4. The implantable carbon electrode of claim 1 wherein said electrode comprises a carbon fiber bundle.