Stimulation electrode and methods of making and using same

US7421299B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• W.C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Matthias Frericks · Hanau, DE
• Oliver Keitel · Aschaffenburg, DE
• Frank Krüger · Könnern, DE
• Heiko Specht · Hanau, DE
• Hans Jürgen WACHTER · Neuenstadt am Kocher, DE
• Christiane Leitold · Wölfersheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 2003
• Grant date: Sep 2, 2008
• Expiry date: Aug 28, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/0565
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A stimulation electrode is provided having an electrically conducting electrode base member which is partially covered with an electrically insulating ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is formed of an oxide and/or an oxynitride of at least one metal of the group of titanium, niobium. tantalum, zirconium, aluminum and silicon. Various methods are provided for production of the stimulation electrode, including methods in which the ceramic layer is formed in situ by a thermal, chemical or electrochemical oxidation or oxynitridation process. The stimulation electrode may be used as a cardiac pacemaker electrode, a neuro-stimulation electrode, or another human implant.