Patent · US Expired

Polymer-metal foil structure for neural stimulating electrodes

US5987361A · kind A · utility

129Cited by
3References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 13, 1998
Grant dateNov 16, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 13, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49117
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A neural stimulating electrode structure includes a sheet of metal foil having portions defining holes. The holes form patterns allowing the metal foil to flex without buckling when subjected to compressive forces. The holes also define discrete electrodes on the metal foil when the foil is cut. A first polymeric base layer covers a first face of the metal foil. A second polymeric base layer covers a second face of the metal foil. The first and second polymeric base layers fill the holes in the metal foil. A third polymeric base layer covers both the first and second polymeric base layers. The third polymeric base layer has portions defining pairs of holes. Each pair of holes is associated with one of the discrete electrodes. Each hole exposes a different portion of the discrete electrode for contacting tissue, passing current and/or measuring voltage.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.