Zirconia to platinum assembly using a titanium connector

• US 8,447,402 B1
• Filed: 03/26/2007
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: Jiang, Guangqiang, Antalfy, Attila
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIATESKI, ERIN M
• Application Number:
  US11/691,293
• Time in Patent Office: 2,248 Days
• Field of Search: 607/2, 607/121, 600/301, 604/20, 128/899
• US Class Current: 607/36
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 1/19 taking account of the properties of the materials to be soldered
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/08 Non-ferrous metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/14 Titanium or alloys thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/18 Dissimilar materials
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/52 Ceramics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12535 with additional, spatially distinct nonmetal component

Abstract

The invention is a component assembly and method of hermetically bonding a ceramic part to a metal part by welding and brazing a component assembly comprised of metal parts, a ceramic part, and an intermediate metal ferrule. The ceramic part is preferably a hollow tube of partially-stabilized zirconia that is brazed to an alignment ferrule that is preferably titanium or a titanium alloy, such as Ti-6Al-4V. On one end the component assembly is brazed to an end cap for closure. On the other end the alignment ferrule is preferably brazed to a ring that is preferably comprised of a noble metal, such as platinum, iridium, or alloys of platinum and iridium. The ring is then laser welded to an eyelet that is preferably comprised of a noble metal.

Claims

1. A component assembly for use in living tissue comprising:

a ceramic part;

at least one titanium or titanium alloy metal alignment ferrule that is braze bonded to said ceramic part;

a ring comprised of a noble metal that is brazed to said alignment ferrule;

said metal alignment ferrule further comprising at least one integral lip that enables alignment of said ceramic part and said ring; and

an eyelet comprised of a noble metal that is metallurgically bonded to said ring.

2. The component assembly of claim 1 further comprising an end cap comprised of a noble metal that is metallurgically bonded to said at least one titanium or titanium alloy metal alignment ferrule.

3. The component assembly of claim 1 wherein said noble metal is selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, and their alloys.

4. The component assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one titanium or titanium alloy metal alignment ferrule has concentric lips that define a double cup.

5. The component assembly of claim 1 wherein said ceramic part is comprised of partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal material.

6. A component assembly comprising:

an implantable miniature device having a ceramic tube adapted to contain electronic components and an alignment ferrule comprised of titanium or its alloys brazed thereto and having means for centering said ceramic tube therein;

a noble metal ring brazed to said alignment ferrule; and

a noble metal eyelet having alignment means for centering said ring therein.

7. The component assembly of claim 6 wherein said ceramic tube is comprised of partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal material.

8. The component assembly of claim 6 wherein said noble metal is selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, and their alloys.

9. The component assembly of claim 6 wherein said ring is laser welded to said eyelet.

10. The component assembly of claim 6 wherein said eyelet comprises means for centering said ring, which consists of an alignment tab with an alignment face that contacts said ring.

11. The component assembly of claim 6 wherein said component assembly further comprises an end cap that is comprised of a noble metal, said end cap is brazed to said alignment ferrule.

12. The component assembly of claim 6 wherein said alignment ferrule is coated with iridium.