Alumina insulation for coating implantable components and other microminiature devices
US6043437A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/265
- WIPO fieldSemiconductors
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material includes a thin layer or layers of alumina, zirconia, or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80.degree. C. over a three month period.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.