Package for an implantable medical device

• US 7,565,203 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Greenberg, Robert J., Schulman, Joseph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, YUN H
• Application Number:
  US11/206,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 607/54, 623/6.63
• US Class Current: 607/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0543 Retinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36046 of the eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37247 User interfaces, e.g. input or presentation means
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16225 the item being non-metallic, e.g. insulating substrate with or without metallisation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49165 by forming conductive walled aperture in base

Abstract

An implantable electronic device is formed within a biocompatible hermetic package. Preferably the implantable electronic device is used for a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The package may include a hard hermetic box, a thin film hermetic coating, or both.

Claims

1. An implantable device comprising:

an internal electronics unit, suitable to be implanted within a living body, at least a portion of said internal electronics unit is formed within a biocompatible hermetic box including a metal portion and a ceramic portion, said ceramic portion having feed-throughs

an integrated circuit flip-chip bonded to said ceramic portion; and

a plurality of electrodes electrically coupled to said feed-throughs and driven by said internal electronics unit suitable to stimulate neurons.

2. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein said metal portion is braised to said ceramic portion.

3. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein said metal portion includes a metal ring brazed to said ceramic portion and a metal lid welded to said metal ring.

4. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein the implantable device is a visual prosthesis.

5. The implantable device according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of electrodes are suitable to stimulate a retina.

6. The implantable device according to claim 4, wherein said internal electronics unit is suitable to be placed within a vitreous humor, but distant from a retina.

7. The implantable device according to claim 4, wherein said internal electronics unit is suitable to be placed in the vicinity of the eye.

8. The implantable device according to claim 1, wherein aside of said ceramic portion opposite said internal electronics unit is adapted to contact tissue.

9. The implantable device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of capacitors electrically coupled to said feed-throughs and supported by said ceramic portion.