Bio-implant and method of making the same

• US 6,678,564 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2001
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Cochlear Systems, Inc., Microconnex Corp. (Carlisle Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Cochlear Systems, Inc., Microconnex Corp. (Carlisle Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Corbett, Scott S. III, Clary, Thomas R., Yarno, John P., Ketterl, Joseph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Application Number:
  US10/012,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20030109913A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 607/116-119, 607/122-128, 607/136-137, 607/55-57, 600/373-381, 298/25, 298/29, 298/46, 298/49, 298/50
• US Class Current: 607/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.

Abstract

A bio-implant having a length and a proximal and a distal end. The bio-implant has at least two lamina of dielectric material joined together, thereby defining a boundary and also defining a side surface that is intersected by this boundary. In addition, at least one set of conductors is interposed between the two lamina and extend lengthwise from the proximal end toward the distal end, each one of the set of conductors being terminated adjacent to the side surface to form a set of conductor terminations. Further, a set of electrode contact points are constructed on the side surface, with each electrode contact point contacting one of said conductor terminations.

Claims

1. A bio-implant having a length and a proximal and a distal end, said bio-implant comprising:

(a) at least a first, second and third lamina of dielectric material joined together, thereby defining boundaries between said lamina and also defining a side surface that is intersected by said boundaries;

(b) at least a first set of conductors interposed between said first and second lamina and a second set of conductors interposed between said second and third lamina, said first and second set of conductors extending lengthwise from said proximal end toward said distal end, each one of said set of conductors being terminated at said side surface to form a set of conductor terminations; and

(c) a set of electrode contacts constructed on said side surface, each said electrode contact contacting one of said conductor terminations.

2. The bio-implant of claim 1 further being defined as helical in shape.

3. The bio-implant of claim 1 wherein said side surface includes inward recesses positioned transversely to said length of said bio-implant and wherein said electrode contact points take the form of conductive plating on said inward recesses.

4. The bio-implant of claim 3 wherein said contact points are recessed inwardly.

5. The bio-implant of claim 1 wherein said conductor terminations abut said side surface.

6. A method of constructing a bio-implant having a length and a proximal and a distal end, said method comprising:

(a) providing a first, second and third lamina of dielectric material, each said lamina defining a top surface, a bottom surface, a lamina side surface, a proximal end and a distal end, said bottom surface of said first layer and said top surface of said second layer being termed a pair of first surfaces and said bottom surface of said second layer and said top surface of said third layer being termed a pair of second surfaces;

(b) providing at least a first set of conductors positioned on said pair of first surfaces and a second set of conductors positioned on said pair of second surfaces, said first and second sets of conductors extending lengthwise from said proximal end toward said distal end, each one of said set of conductors being terminated adjacent to said side surface to form a set of conductor terminations;

(c) adhering said second lamina to said first lamina about said first set of conductors, and adhering said third lamina to said second lamina about said second set of conductors thereby defining a boundary and also defining a joined side surface that is intersected by said boundary; and

(d) forming a set of electrode contact points constructed on said joined side surface, each said electrode contact point contacting a one of said conductor terminations.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein inward recesses are formed in said joined side surface, said inward recesses positioned transversely to said length of said bio-implant and conductive material is plated onto said inward recesses to form said contact points.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said contact points are recessed inwardly.