Hermetically sealed three-dimensional electrode array
First Claim
1. An implantable electrode arrangement for establishing electrical contact with living tissue, the electrode arrangement comprising:
- a substrate having a plurality of feedthrough holes, a top surface and a bottom surface;
a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes, each electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, each electrode configured, at its proximal end, to be positioned within a feedthrough hole;
each of said electrodes extending from said top surface, said electrodes hermetically bonded to said substrate;
a dielectric coating covering and electrically insulating at least a portion of said electrodes; and
at least one reveal zone not at the distal end on said electrodes, wherein the at least one reveal zone is sized to contact only a single nerve fiber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The electrode array is a device for making electrical contacts with cellular tissue or organs. The electrode array includes an assembly of electrically conductive electrodes arising from a substrate where the electrodes are hermetically bonded to the substrate. The electrodes also include an insulating layer which leaves at least one zone or at least one hole exposed for making focused electrical contact with the tissue. A hole passing completely or partially through the electrode may further provide an anchor to the living tissue, thereby stabilizing the array with respect to the tissue being examined. Also, a method of manufacture of an electrode array and associated circuitry is disclosed.
75 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An implantable electrode arrangement for establishing electrical contact with living tissue, the electrode arrangement comprising:
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a substrate having a plurality of feedthrough holes, a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes, each electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, each electrode configured, at its proximal end, to be positioned within a feedthrough hole; each of said electrodes extending from said top surface, said electrodes hermetically bonded to said substrate; a dielectric coating covering and electrically insulating at least a portion of said electrodes; and at least one reveal zone not at the distal end on said electrodes, wherein the at least one reveal zone is sized to contact only a single nerve fiber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An implantable electrode arrangement for establishing electrical contact with living tissue, the electrode arrangement comprising:
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a substrate having a plurality of feedthroughs; a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes, each electrode having a proximal end and a distal end with a reveal zone sized to contact only a single nerve fiber therebetween, each electrode configured, at it proximal end, for electrical communication with a respective one of the feedthroughs; each of said electrodes extending substantially perpendicular from said substrate, each of said electrodes being hermetically bonded to said substrate; and a dielectric coating covering and electrically insulating said electrodes, exclusive of the reveal zone. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An implantable electrode arrangement for establishing electrical contact with living tissue, the electrode arrangement comprising:
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a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes defining an arrangement thereof, each electrode having a proximal end and a distal end; said electrodes extending substantially perpendicular from a substrate, said electrodes being hermetically bonded to said substrate; and wherein each electrode has at least one reveal zone, sized to contact only a single nerve fiber, located between the proximal and distal ends, each electrode having a dielectric coat covering and electrically insulating at least a portion of said electrode. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An implantable electrode arrangement for establishing electrical contact with living tissue, the electrode arrangement comprising:
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a plurality of electrically conductive electrode, each electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, each electrode configured, at its proximal end, for electrical communication with a respective one of the feedthroughs; each of said electrodes extending substantially perpendicular from a substrate, said electrodes being hermetically bonded to said substrate; said electrodes having a plurality of reveal zones located between the proximal and distal ends, each electrode having a dielectric coating covering and electrically insulating at least a portion of said electrodes; and wherein each of the plurality of reveal zones is sized to contact only a single nerve fiber.
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Specification