US 2011/0034977 A1 · IMPLANTABLE ELECTRODE ARRAY ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A CARRIER FOR SUPPORTING THE ELECTRODES AND CONTROL MODULES FOR REGULATING OPERATION OF THE ELECTRODES EMBEDDED IN THE CARRIER, AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

Abstract

An implantable electrode array that includes multiple spaced apart electrodes to which current can be individually sourced and sunk. The array includes a carrier that supports the electrodes. One or more control modules that source current to or sink current from the electrodes are disposed in recesses within the carrier. A sheet of material more flexible than the carrier is disposed between, on one side, the carrier and the control modules and, on the other side, the electrodes. Conductors over which instructions and power are applied to the control modules and conductors that extend between the control modules are the electrodes are embedded in and extend through the sheet of flexible material.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An electrode array assembly:

a substrate formed from flexible material, said substrate having first and second opposed sides, said substrate formed so as to define at least one recess that extends inwardly from the first side;
a control module for regulating operation of at least one electrode, said control module disposed in the at least one recess of said substrate so as to have an exposed face;
at least one first side insulating layer disposed over the exposed face of said control module;
a plurality of electrodes disposed over said substrate, said electrodes being spaced apart from each other;
at least one first conductor that extends over said substrate to said control module over which power or command signals are forwarded to said control module;
and
at least one second conductor that extends from said control module through said at least one first side insulating layer to said electrodes over which current is sourced to or sunk from said electrodes.

4 more elements

A method of fabricating an implantable electrode array, said method including the steps of:

providing a flexible sheet formed from electrically insulating material, the sheet having first and second opposed sides;
affixing at least one control module to the first side of the flexible sheet, the at least one control module able to source current to or sink current from at least one electrode;
forming a plurality of spaced apart electrodes on the second side of the flexible sheet;
providing at least one first conductor that extends on or through the flexible sheet to the control module over which power or command signals are forwarded to said control module;
providing at least one second conductor that extends from the control module through the flexible sheet to the electrodes over which current is sourced to or sunk from the electrodes;
providing a carrier formed from flexible material that is less flexible than the flexible sheet, the carrier having at least one recess;
and
after said step of affixing the at least one control module to the flexible sheet, bonding the first side of the flexible sheet to the carrier so that, as part of said bonding step, the at least one control module is seated in the carrier recess.

5 more elements

A method of fabricating an implantable electrode array, said method including the steps of:

providing a carrier formed from flexible material, the carrier having at least one recess;
placing at least one control module in the carrier recess, the at least one control module able to source current to or sink current from at least one electrode;
after said step of placing the at least one control module in the carrier recess, applying a flexible sheet formed from insulating material over an exposed surface of the control module and an adjacent surface of the carrier, the sheet of insulating material being more flexible than the carrier, the sheet of insulating material having an inner surface directed towards the carrier and an opposed exposed surface;
after said step of applying the flexible sheet over the at least one control module and the carrier, forming a plurality of spaced apart electrodes on the exposed surface of the flexible sheet;
and
forming at least one first conductor that extends through the flexible sheet, the at least one first conductor extending from the control module, through the sheet of insulating material to one of the electrodes so as to function as a conductive path over which current is sourced to or sunk from the associated electrode;
and
forming at least one second conductor that extends at least partially through the flexible sheet over which power or command signals are applied to the control module.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Implantable electrode array assembly including a carrier for supporting the electrodes and control modules for regulating operation of the electrodes embedded in the carrier, and method of making same

Life of this patent

Implantable electrode array assembly including a carrier for supporting the electrodes and control modules for regulating operation of the electrodes embedded in the carrier, and method of making same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20