US4773433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Implantable electrode
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1982-04-01
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Granted: 1988-09-27
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Expires: 2002-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An implantable electrode, particularly a stimulation electrode, in which the electrode head consists of vitreous carbon which is preferably surface activated.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Richter
- 👤 Erhard Weidlich
- 👤 Konrad Mund
- 👤 Horst Boder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61N1/0565
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A tissue-implantable electrode, particularly a stimulating electrode, including an electrode head and an electrical lead connected thereto, the head consisting of a vitreous carbon body superficially activated by an oxidizing treatment, said treatment forming a thin, macroscopically-smooth surface layer of carbon having a microporous structure, whereby polarization losses which occur at the boundary surface between the electrode and the tissue are kept low, and the stimulation threshold voltage remains substantially constant over the duration of the implantation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A tissue-implantable electrode, particularly a stimulating electrode, including an electrode head and an electrical lead connected thereto, the head consisting of a vitreous carbon body superficially activated by an oxidizing treatment, said treatment forming a thin, macroscopically-smooth surface layer of carbon having a microporous structure, whereby polarization losses which occur at the boundary surface between the electrode and the tissue are kept low, and the stimulation threshold voltage remains substantially constant over the duration of the implantation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein the surface layer has a pore diameter of about 5 Angstroms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein the surface layer is formed by heating said vitreous carbon body in an oxidizing atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrode of claim 3 wherein the vitreous carbon body is heated in air at about 400°-800° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrode according to claim 3 wherein the vitreous carbon body is heated in air at a temperature above about 400° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrode of claim 1 wherein the vitreous carbon body further comprises about 50-500 μm pores adapted to adhere said electrode to said tissue.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-03-28 | 1992-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-27 | 1996-03-28 | 1996-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-27 | 2000-03-28 | 2000-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |