초록 ▼

A method and apparatus suitable for forming hermetic electrical feedthroughs in a ceramic sheet having a thickness of .ltoreq.40 mils. More particularly, the method yields an apparatus including a hermetic electrical feedthrough which is both biocompatible and electrochemically stable and suitable f

A method and apparatus suitable for forming hermetic electrical feedthroughs in a ceramic sheet having a thickness of .ltoreq.40 mils. More particularly, the method yields an apparatus including a hermetic electrical feedthrough which is both biocompatible and electrochemically stable and suitable for implantation in a patient's body. The method involves: (a) providing an unfired, ceramic sheet having a thickness of .ltoreq.40 mils and preferably comprising .ltoreq.99% aluminum oxide; (b) forming multiple blind holes in said sheet; (c) inserting solid wires, preferably of platinum, in said holes; (d) firing the assembly of sheet and wires to a temperature sufficient to sinter the sheet material but insufficient to melt the wires; and (e) removing sufficient material from the sheet lower surface so that the lower ends of said wires are flush with the finished sheet lower surface.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A hermetic structure comprising: a sheet of ceramic material having upper and lower parallel surfaces spaced by less than 40 mils; at least one feedthrough filled with electrically conductive material formed of substantially pure platinum, extending through said sheet, in contact with said sheet;

1. A hermetic structure comprising: a sheet of ceramic material having upper and lower parallel surfaces spaced by less than 40 mils; at least one feedthrough filled with electrically conductive material formed of substantially pure platinum, extending through said sheet, in contact with said sheet; and wherein said sheet of ceramic material forms a hermetic seal around said electrically conductive material. 2. The hermetic structure according to claim 1, wherein said upper and lower surfaces are spaced by less than 20 mils. 3. The hermetic structure according to claim 1, including a plurality of feedthroughs filled with electrically conductive material extending through said sheet; and wherein at least some of said feedthroughs are spaced by less than 20 mils. 4. The hermetic structure according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive material includes an end terminating flush with one of said sheet surfaces. 5. The hermetic structure according to claim 1, wherein one end of said electrically conductive material protrudes beyond one of said sheet surfaces. 6. The hermetic structure according to claim 1, wherein said feedthrough has a diameter of less than 10 mils. 7. The hermetic structure according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic material is from the group comprised of aluminum oxide and zirconia. 8. The hermetic structure according to claim 1, wherein said ceramic material comprises at least 99% aluminum oxide. 9. A hermetic structure comprising: a sheet of ceramic material having upper and lower parallel surfaces spaced by less than about 40 mils; at least one feedthrough filled with electrically conductive material formed of substantially pure platinum, extending through said sheet, in contact with said sheet; said sheet of ceramic material forming a hermetic seal around said electrically conductive material; and wherein said feedthrough has a diameter of less than 10 mils. 10. The hermetic structure according to claim 9, wherein said upper and lower surfaces are spaced by less than 20 mils. 11. The hermetic structure according to claim 9, including a plurality of feedthroughs filled with electrically conductive material extending through said sheet; and wherein at least some of said electrically conductive materials are spaced by less than 20 mils. 12. The hermetic structure according to claim 9, wherein said electrically conductive material includes an end terminating flush with one of said sheet surfaces. 13. The hermetic structure according to claim 9, wherein one end of said electrically conductive material protrudes beyond one of said sheet surfaces. 14. The hermetic structure according to claim 9, wherein said ceramic material comprises aluminum oxide, zirconia, or mixtures thereof. 15. The hermetic structure according to claim 9, wherein said ceramic material comprises at least 99% aluminum oxide.