Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221653 | FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT ELECTRODE ARRAY - A flexible circuit electrode array comprising:
| 09-11-2008 |
20080268134 | ELECTRODE WITH INCREASED STABILITY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - The present invention provides an implantable electrode with increased stability having a clustered structure wherein the surface of the electrode is covered with a material comprising openings which are filled with sticks or posts. | 10-30-2008 |
20080288036 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array with Wire or Film Support - The disclosure relates to a flexible circuit electrode array comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and at least one support embedded in said array. The disclosure further relates to a flexible circuit electrode array comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; and a folded flexible circuit cable connecting the electrode array with an interconnection pad. The disclosure further relates to a method of making a flexible circuit electrode array comprising: depositing a polymer base layer; depositing metal on said polymer base layer; patterning said metal to form metal traces; depositing a polymer top layer on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; heating said flexible circuit electrode array in a mold to form a three dimensional shape in said flexible circuit electrode array, embedding a support at least in the base layer, top layer or between the base and top layer, and/or folding a flexible circuit cable at least once connecting the electrode array with an interconnection pad the array. | 11-20-2008 |
20080288037 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array - A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. | 11-20-2008 |
20090118805 | Return Electrode for a Flexible Circuit Electrode Array - In a visual prosthesis electrodes stimulate retinal tissue to induce the perception of light to a user implanted with the prosthesis. The prosthesis must have a return, or common, electrode to make a complete circuit with the retinal tissue. To avoid stimulating tissue with the return electrode, it is advantageous if the electrode is large. | 05-07-2009 |
20090143848 | Cochlear Stimulation Device - A cochlear stimulation device comprising an electrode array designed to provide enhanced charge injection capacity necessary for neural stimulation. The electrode array comprises electrodes with high surface area or a fractal geometry and correspondingly high electrode capacitance and low electrical impedance. The resultant electrodes have a robust surface and sufficient mechanical strength to withstand physical stress vital for long term stability. The device further comprises wire traces having a multilayer structure which provides a reduced width for the conducting part of the electrode array. The cochlear prosthesis is attached by a grommet to the cochleostomy that is made from a single piece of biocompatible polymer. The device, designed to achieve optimum neural stimulation by appropriate electrode design, is a significant improvement over commercially available hand-built devices. | 06-04-2009 |
20090270958 | Simply Supported Neural Stimulation Electrode Array for Applying Pressure on Neural Tissue - The present invention is an electrode array for neural stimulation suitable to be attached to neural tissue such that the attachment point acts as a fulcrum like point and contact with an end of the array body presses the other end of the array body into the neural tissue to be stimulated. This invention is particularly useful in a retinal electrode array for a visual prosthesis. By curving an electrode portion of an array body to approximate but not exceed (never more tightly curved) the curvature of the retina and applying force to the array by external means at the fulcrum like point, approximately even pressure across all electrodes is achieved. | 10-29-2009 |
20110118807 | Retinal Prosthesis and Method of Manufacturing a Retinal Prosthesis - The present invention is an improved package and configuration for an implantable retinal prosthesis. The retinal prosthesis of the present invention includes an electrode array suitable to be mounted in close proximity to a retina, an electronics package and inductive receiving coil mounted next to each other on a strap surrounding the sclera so that the height above the sclera of the prosthesis is minimized. | 05-19-2011 |
20110265322 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array with at least One Tack Opening - The present invention provides a flexible circuit electrode array adapted for neural stimulation, comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on the polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and the metal traces at least one tack opening. The present invention provides further a method of making a flexible circuit electrode array comprising depositing a polymer base layer; depositing metal on the polymer base layer; patterning the metal to form metal traces; depositing a polymer top layer on the polymer base layer and the metal traces; and preparing at least one tack opening. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270067 | Biocompatible Bonding Method - The invention is a device and method for connecting a hermetic package to a flexible circuit such as for an electrode array in an implantable device. Attaching metal pads on a flexible circuit to metal pads on a hermetic device by conductive adhesive is known. A smooth metal, such as platinum, does not bond well to conductive epoxy. The invention provides a roughened surface, such as etching or applying high surface area platinum gray, to improve adhesion to platinum or other metal pads. | 11-03-2011 |
20120136415 | Method for Inspection of Materials for Defects - The present invention is a non-destructive method of inspecting a bond, particularly a braze bond, in a hermetic package. The invention involves a unique hermetic package design adapted for ultrasonic inspection and a method of inspecting the package. This package and non-destructive inspection process are particularly useful in implantable neural stimulators such as visual prostheses. | 05-31-2012 |
20120150270 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array Device and a Method for Backside Processing of a Flexible Circuit Electrode Device - The invention involves a flexible circuit electrode array device comprising: a polymer layer; wherein the polymer layer includes one or more metal traces, an electrode array; one or more bond pads; and the electrode array is located on the opposite side of the polymer layer. | 06-14-2012 |
20120192416 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array - A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. | 08-02-2012 |
20120239126 | Visual Prosthesis Including a Flexible Circuit Electrode Array - A visual prosthesis which includes a hermetic package and flexible circuit electrode array is disclosed. The hermetic package includes electrode drivers and contacts. The flexible circuit electrode array includes a polymer base layer, metal traces, including electrodes suitable to stimulate visual neural tissue and bond pads bonded to contacts on the hermetic package, all deposited on the polymer base layer, a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and deposited on the metal traces, a partial or an entire coating of the polymer base layer and of the polymer top layer by a soft polymer that is softer than the polymer base layer; and the polymer base layer and the polymer top layer contain a plurality of aligned holes to facilitate bonding of the soft polymer. | 09-20-2012 |
20120296444 | Cortical Interface for Motor Signal Recording and Sensory Signal Stimulation - The present invention consists of an implantable device with at least one package that houses electronics that sends and receives data or signals, and optionally power, from an external system through at least one coil attached to the at least one package and processes the data, including recordings of neural activity, and delivers electrical pulses to neural tissue through at least one array of multiple electrodes that is/are attached to the at least one package. The device is adapted to electrocorticographic (ECoG) and local field potential (LFP) signals. The output signals provide control for a motor prosthesis and the inputs signals provide sensory feedback for the motor prosthesis. The invention, or components thereof, is/are intended to be installed in the head, or on or in the cranium or on the dura, or on or in the brain. | 11-22-2012 |
20130035742 | Face Detection, Tracking, and Recognition for a Visual Prosthesis - The present invention is a system for detecting, tracking and recognizing human faces in a visual prosthesis. In a visual prosthesis, the input camera is always higher resolution than the electrode array providing percepts to the subject. It is advantageous to detect, track and recognize human faces. Then information can be provided to the subject by highlighting the face in the visual scene, providing auditor or vibratory notice that a human face is in the visual scene, looking up the face in a database to state the name of the person in the visual scene, otherwise communication id like providing a custom vibratory pattern corresponding to known individuals (like custom ring tones associated with caller ID) or automatically zooming in on a face to aid the subject in identifying the face. | 02-07-2013 |
20130144360 | Retinal Prosthesis - The invention is a retinal prosthesis with an improved configuration mounting necessary components within and surrounding the eye. The present invention better allows for the implantation of electronics within the delicate eye structure. The invention provides for less height of the part external to the eye by mounting a receiver coil around an electronics package. | 06-06-2013 |
20130261717 | Retinal Prosthesis and Method of Manufacturing a Retinal Prosthesis - The present invention is an improved package and configuration for an implantable retinal prosthesis. The retinal prosthesis of the present invention includes an electrode array suitable to be mounted in close proximity to a retina, an electronics package and inductive receiving coil mounted next to each other on a strap surrounding the sclera so that the height above the sclera of the prosthesis is minimized. | 10-03-2013 |
20130268039 | Package for an Implantable Device - The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device of the present invention includes an eclectically non-conductive bass including electrically conductive vias through the substrate. A circuit is flip-chip bonded to a subset of the vias. A second circuit is wire bonded to another subset of the vias. Finally, a cover is bonded to the substrate such that the cover, substrate and vias form a hermetic package. | 10-10-2013 |
20130282092 | Adherent Metal Oxide Coating Forming a High Surface Area Electrode - An implantable electrode and method for manufacturing the electrode wherein the electrode has a strong, adherent surface inert coating on a conductive coating on the electrode surface, which demonstrates an increase in surface area of at least five times when compared to smooth platinum of the same geometry. An iridium oxide coating may be formed on a platinum coating by a physical deposition process, such as sputtering. The process of electroplating the iridium oxide surface coating is accomplished by voltage control processes. A gradient coating of iridium oxide ranging in composition from essentially pure platinum to essentially pure iridium oxide is produced by sputtering. | 10-24-2013 |
20130289688 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array Embedded in a Cured Body - Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, and cortical stimulation, and many related purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. It is advantageous that the array edges not contact tissue. | 10-31-2013 |
20130319971 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array and Method of Manufacturing the Same - A method for manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode array adapted to electrically communicate with organic tissue including the following steps:
| 12-05-2013 |
20130319972 | Method of Manufacturing a Flexible Circuit Electrode Array - Polymer materials make useful materials as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision. Regardless of which polymer is used, the basic construction method is the same. A layer of polymer is laid down. A layer of metal is applied to the polymer and patterned to create electrodes and leads for those electrodes. A second layer of polymer is applied over the metal layer and patterned to leave openings for the electrodes, or openings are created later by means such as laser ablation. Hence the array and its supply cable are formed of a single body. | 12-05-2013 |
20140115885 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array - Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced. With a thermoplastic polymer it may be further advantageous to repeatedly heat the flexible circuit in multiple molds, each with a decreasing radius. Further, it is advantageous to add material along the edges. It is further advantageous to provide a fold or twist in the flexible circuit array. Additional material may be added inside and outside the fold to promote a good seal with tissue. | 05-01-2014 |
20140222103 | Cortical Visual Prosthesis - The present invention is a visual prosthesis adapted for implantation in the brain, and more particularly with an electrode array adapted for implantation in the Calcarine Sulcus of the visual cortex. The electrode array of the invention has electrodes on each side and spaced appropriately for the Calcarine Sulcus and driven by an electronic circuit within a hermetic package small enough to be implanted with a skull. | 08-07-2014 |
20140234779 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array and a Method for Backside Processing of a Flexible Circuit Electrode Device - The invention involves a flexible circuit electrode array device comprising: a polymer layer; wherein the polymer layer includes one or more metal traces, an electrode array; one or more bond pads; and the electrode array is located on the opposite side of the polymer layer. | 08-21-2014 |
20150066106 | Flexible Circuit Electrode Array Embedded in a Cured Body - Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, and cortical stimulation, and many related purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. It is advantageous that the array edges not contact tissue. | 03-05-2015 |