초록 ▼

An implant stimulator device uses tantalum and tantalum pentoxide as a system for the conveyance of electrical stimulation pulses from stimulus-forming circuitry contained within an hermetic enclosure to the saline fluids of body tissue to be stimulated. Internal coupling capacitors are not used, ye

An implant stimulator device uses tantalum and tantalum pentoxide as a system for the conveyance of electrical stimulation pulses from stimulus-forming circuitry contained within an hermetic enclosure to the saline fluids of body tissue to be stimulated. Internal coupling capacitors are not used, yet the danger of having DC current flow to the saline fluids is eliminated. A preferred embodiment provides a multiplicity of electrode contacts made from sintered, anodized tantalum, connected via tantalum wire leads to tantalum feedthroughs into the hermetically sealed package containing the stimulus pulse-forming electronic circuitry. One or more counter electrode contacts (for monopolar or bipolar configurations, respectively) made of activated iridium, non-activated iridium, iridium in combination with a noble or non-noble metal, platinum, gold, or other metal which forms a low impedance contact with body fluids, is/are connected via platinum or other conductive metal leads to return feedthroughs. When powered-up, the stimulus generating circuit produces a steady polarizing potential of approximately half its maximum output voltage range, which potential is applied as a positive (anodizing) voltage to each tantalum electrode and associated lead and feedthrough, with respect to the counter electrode(s), which act as the reference point for the circuit.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprisingan hermically sealed package;implantable stimulus-forming electronic circuitry housed inside of said sealed package;at least one tantalum feedthrough which provides an electrical path to the stimulus-forming electroni

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An implantable tissue-stimulating prosthesis comprisingan hermically sealed package;implantable stimulus-forming electronic circuitry housed inside of said sealed package;at least one tantalum feedthrough which provides an electrical path to the stimulus-forming electronic circuitry housed within said package;at least one return feedthrough through said package that provides a return electrical path to the stimulus-forming electronic circuitry housed within said package,at least one sintered, anodized tantalum electrode contact;a tantalum wire lead connecting each tantalum electrode contact to a respective tantalum feedthrough, whereby each tantalum electrode contact is electrically connected to a respective tantalum feedthrough, and hence to the stimulus-forming electronic circuitry;a layer of tantalum pentoxide covering said tantalum wire lead on at least those portions of said tantalum wire lead that are exposed to body fluids;at least one counter electrode contact, each counter electrode contact comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of tantalum, non-activated iridium and gold; anda metal lead connecting each counter electrode contact to a respective return feedthrough.