Abstract: The invention is a method of making a flexible electrode array, comprising a silicone containing body, a metal trace layer and an electrode pad on the surface, including the steps of irradiating a surface area of a molded silicone containing layer yielding traces with the light beam from a pulsed ultraviolet laser source; immersing said irradiated molded silicone layer for inducing the deposit of metal ions to form metal traces; applying a silicone containing layer on the silicone containing layer and the metal traces; irradiating the surface for drilling holes in the molded silicone containing layer; and immersing the irradiated molded silicone layer for inducing the deposit of metal ions to form metal electrode pads.

Abstract: The invention provides a biocompatible silicone implant that can be securely affixed to living tissue through interaction with integral membrane proteins (integrins). A silicone article containing a laser-activated surface is utilized to make the implant. One example is an implantable prosthesis to treat blindness caused by outer retinal degenerative diseases. The device bypasses damaged photoreceptors and electrically stimulates the undamaged neurons of the retina. Electrical stimulation is achieved using a silicone microelectrode array (MEA). A safe, protein adhesive is used in attaching the MEA to the retinal surface and assist in alleviating focal pressure effects. Methods of making and attaching such implants are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a biocompatible silicone implant that can be securely affixed to living tissue through interaction with integral membrane proteins (integrins). A silicone article containing a laser-activated surface is utilized to make the implant. One example is an implantable prosthesis to treat blindness caused by outer retinal degenerative diseases. The device bypasses damaged photoreceptors and electrically stimulates the undamaged neurons of the retina. Electrical stimulation is achieved using a silicone microelectrode array (MEA). A safe, protein adhesive is used in attaching the MEA to the retinal surface and assist in alleviating focal pressure effects. Methods of making and attaching such implants are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for embedding at least one layer of at least one metal trace in a silicone-containing polymer, comprising: a) applying a polymer layer on a substrate; b) thermally treating the polymer; c) irradiating at least one surface area of the polymer with a light beam emitted by an excimer laser; d) immersing the irradiated polymer in at least one autocatalytic bath containing ions of at least one metal, and metallizing the polymer; e) thermally treating the metallized polymer; f) applying a polymer layer covering the thermally treated metallized polymer; and g) thermally treating the metallized covered polymer. The present invention further provides a polymer layer comprising silicone containing oxide particles of SiO2, TiO2, Sb2O3, SnO2, Al2O3, ZnO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, talc, hydroxyapatite or mixtures thereof and at least one metal trace embedded in said polymer layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of embedding a metal trace in a silicone containing polymer layer, by the steps of applying an agent that does not adhere to a substrate; applying a polymer layer on the non adhering agent; irradiating a surface of the polymer with a light beam emitted by an excimer laser creating cuts, grooves, blind holes or vias; immersing the irradiated polymer in an autocatalytic bath containing metal ions and metallizing the polymer; thermally treating the metallized polymer layer to induce diffusion of the metalized metal into the first polymer layer; applying a polymer layer on the thermally treated metallized polymer; and thermally treating the metallized polymer.

Abstract: A flexible electrode array of silicone containing oxide particles of SiO2, TiO2, Sb2O3, SnO2, Al2O3, ZnO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, talc, hydroxyapatite or their mixtures and at least one metal trace in a silicone-containing polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible electrode array, comprising a silicone containing body, at least one metal trace layer and at least one electrode pad on the surface.

Abstract: A polymer layer comprising silicone contains oxide particles of SiO2, TiO2, Sb2O3, SnO2, Al2O3, ZnO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, talc, hydroxyapatite or mixtures thereof and one or more metal traces embedded in the polymer layer, where the metal trace is bonded to the polymer silicon metal bond.

Abstract: The invention provides a biocompatible silicone implant that can be securely affixed to living tissue through interaction with integral membrane proteins (integrins). A silicone article containing a laser-activated surface is utilized to make the implant. One example is an implantable prosthesis to treat blindness caused by outer retinal degenerative diseases. The device bypasses damaged photoreceptors and electrically stimulates the undamaged neurons of the retina. Electrical stimulation is achieved using a silicone microelectrode array (MEA). A safe, protein adhesive is used in attaching the MEA to the retinal surface and assist in alleviating focal pressure effects. Methods of making and attaching such implants are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for embedding at least one layer of at least one metal trace in a silicone containing polymer, comprising: a) applying a non adhering on a substrate; b) applying a polymer layer on the non adhering agent; c) irradiation at least one surface area of said polymer with a light beam emitted by an excimer laser; d) immersing said irradiated polymer in at least one autocatalytic bath containing metal ions of at least one metal and metallizing the polymer; e) thermally treating said metallized polymer; f) applying a polymer layer on said thermally treated metallized polymer; and g) thermally treating said metallized polymer.

Abstract: A positive metallization process for metallizing a plastic composite piece containing a polymer and grains of one or more oxides, includes three successive steps. The first step consists of irradiating the plastic piece surface to be metallized with a light beam emitted by an excimer laser. The second step consists of immersing the irradiated piece into at least one autocatalytic bath containing metal ions and without palladium. This immersion induces the deposit of the metal ions onto the irradiated surface to form a metal film onto the surface. The third step consists of thermally processing the metallized plastic piece to induce the diffusion of the deposited metal into the plastic piece.

Abstract: The method for metallizing the surface of dielectric materials according to the invention comprises a first step wherein a metal powder, the size of the grains of which is comprised between 10 and 5000 nm, is deposited and then incorporated into the surface of the dielectric material. In a second step of the method, the dielectric material which is so impregnated with metal, is immersed into an autocatalytic bath to coat the impregnated zones of the material with a layer of the metal contained in the bath in a thickness which is proportional to the immersion time. This method enables to metallize materials such as oxides, polymers and composites containing these oxides and/or these polymers. The characteristics of the metal deposits are controlled, on the one hand, by the type of metal, and the size and the geometry of the metal powder grains and, on the other hand, by the type and the structure of the dielectric materials coated with these deposits.

Abstract: There is described a method for crystallizing films selected from the group comprising the amorphous elementary semi-conducting films and the polymetallic films comprised of two elements belonging respectively to Groups III and V, or Groups II and VI of the Periodic Table, which comprises irradiating the film surface with a laser beam guided by an assembly from optic fibers which are arranged in parallel relationship with one another, each fiber having a diameter which is not larger than 50.mu., said irradiating causing crystallizing into crystallites which are regularly distributed and closely confined.

Abstract: There is described a method for preparing polycrystalline semi-conducting films comprised of two elements respectively from Groups III and V, or Groups II and VI of the Periodic Table, by irradiating with a laser beam a film which is comprised of at least two layers from elements selected with a stoichiometric ratio, said film being deposited over a non-crystalline substrate and being coated with a protective layer, which method is comprised of irradiating said film with a structured laser beam to cause crystallizing into crystallites which are regularly aligned and with a size at least equal to the thickness of the resulting film.