Method of fabricating an array of recessed radially oriented bipolar electrodes
First Claim
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1. A method for fabricating an electrode assembly in a body of electrically insulating flexible material comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a two-part injection molding mold having a molding cavity and at least one vacuum hole through a wall in at least one of the parts of the mold;
(b) providing an electrode for each vacuum hole;
(c) forming an electrically insulating flexible material about each vacuum hole to create a contact well around each said hole;
(d) positioning an electrode over each said contact well;
(e) applying a vacuum to each vacuum hole to hold the electrode in place over the contact well;
(f) fastening the mold parts together and molding the body of the electrode assembly in the mold from an electrically insulating flexible material whereby each said electrode is adhered to the body; and
(g) removing the electrode assembly from the mold whereby an electrode assembly with at least one electrode is provided.
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Abstract
An array of electrodes, suitable for use as an auditory prosthesis, and a method for fabricating such an array, are disclosed. The array includes an electrode body formed from an electrically insulating flexible material, preferably at least one annulus of an electrically insulating flexible material which is formed separately from the body and adhered thereto, at least one electrode positioned concentrically about each of the at least one annulus or electrode body, with the surface of each electrode being recessed and being exposed.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating an electrode assembly in a body of electrically insulating flexible material comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a two-part injection molding mold having a molding cavity and at least one vacuum hole through a wall in at least one of the parts of the mold; (b) providing an electrode for each vacuum hole; (c) forming an electrically insulating flexible material about each vacuum hole to create a contact well around each said hole; (d) positioning an electrode over each said contact well; (e) applying a vacuum to each vacuum hole to hold the electrode in place over the contact well; (f) fastening the mold parts together and molding the body of the electrode assembly in the mold from an electrically insulating flexible material whereby each said electrode is adhered to the body; and (g) removing the electrode assembly from the mold whereby an electrode assembly with at least one electrode is provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for imbedding an electrode in an electrode assembly body comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a mold having a wall which defines a molding cavity therein and having at least one vacuum hole passing through the wall into the molding cavity; (b) providing an electrode; (c) coating the wall of the mold surrounding each vacuum hole with an annulus of flexible material to form a contact well; (d) positioning an electrode over the well; (e) applying a vacuum to the vacuum hole to hold the electrode in place over the contact well and tacking the electrode in place; (f) molding the body of the electrode assembly with flexible material in the mold so that the annulus and electrode are adhered to the body; and (g) removing the electrode assembly and body from the mold. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification