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Implantable electrode arrays

  • US 5,957,958 A
  • Filed: 10/16/1997
  • Issued: 09/28/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprisingan hermically sealed package;

  • implantable stimulus-forming electronic circuitry housed inside of said sealed package;

    at least one tantalum feedthrough which provides an electrical path to the stimulus-forming electronic circuitry housed within said package;

    at least one return feedthrough through said package that provides a return electrical path to the stimulus-forming electronic circuitry housed within said package,at least one sintered, anodized tantalum electrode contact;

    a tantalum wire lead connecting each tantalum electrode contact to a respective tantalum feedthrough, whereby each tantalum electrode contact is electrically connected to a respective tantalum feedthrough, and hence to the stimulus-forming electronic circuitry;

    a layer of tantalum pentoxide covering said tantalum wire lead on at least those portions of said tantalum wire lead that are exposed to body fluids;

    at least one counter electrode contact, each counter electrode contact comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of tantalum, non-activated iridium and gold; and

    a metal lead connecting each counter electrode contact to a respective return feedthrough.

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