Low polarization coatings for implantable electrodes
AssigneeGreatbatch-Hittman, Inc.
InventorRobert C. O'Brien
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Abstract
Coatings for inplantable electrodes such as pacing electrodes, neurostimulator electrodes, and electroporating electrodes and sensing electrodes are described. The coatings are highly biocompatible, having low polarization. They consist of a biocompatible, conductive substrate, such as of sintered platinum/10% iridium; a thin film outer layer of biocompatible, conductive carbon; and a biocompatible, conductive intermediate layer having a high surface area. The intermediate layer is preferably of sputtered titanium nitride and increases the surface area of the carbonaceous outer layer.
Claims16
An implantable electrode, which comprises:
- a) a substrate;
- b) a biocompatible and electrically conductive intermediate coating supported on the substrate;
- and
- c) a carbon-containing coating adhered to the intermediate coating.
An implantable electrode, which comprises:
- a) a substrate comprising platinum and iridium;
- b) a biocompatible and electrically conductive intermediate coating comprising titanium nitride or diamond doped with boron supported on the substrate;
- and
- c) an amorphous carbon-containing coating adhered to the intermediate coating.
A method for providing an implantable electrode, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a substrate comprising platinum and iridium;
- b) coating an intermediate layer selected from the group consisting of carbon, boron, platinum, iridium, gold, titanium, tantalum, niobium, ruthenium, zirconium, iridium oxide, iridium nitride, titanium nitride, titanium carbide, titanium carbonitride, tantalum nitride, tantalum carbide, tantalum carbonitride, niobium carbide, niobium nitride, niobium carbonitride, ruthenium oxide, ruthenium nitride, zirconium oxide, zirconium nitride, zirconium carbide, titanium dioxide doped with niobium, diamond doped with boron, and mixtures thereof on the substrate;
- c) sputtering a carbon-containing coating to the intermediate layer;
- and
- d) utilizing the coated substrate as an implantable electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.