Abstract: A method of hermetically bonding components of an implantable pump made of biocompatible materials comprises the steps of providing a first SiO2 layer of predetermined first thickness onto a selected bonding surface of a first biocompatible component of the implantable pump to reduce the surface roughness, Ra, available for bonding below a first predetermined magnitude; providing a second SiO2 layer of predetermined second thickness onto a selected bonding surface of a second biocompatible component of the implantable pump to reduce the surface roughness of the selected bonding surface; and bringing the first and second SiO2 layers into contact with each other at a low temperature with a low pressure to form a high quality hermetic bond and seal between first and second SiO2 layers. The invention includes an implantable pump having a hermetic seal manufactured by the method.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiments of the invention include an MRI compatible apparatus having: a refillable drug reservoir; a hermetically sealed, implantable chamber; a pump disposed in and hermetically sealed within the hermetically sealed, implantable chamber and fluidicly communicated to the drug reservoir; and control electronics disposed in and hermetically sealed within the hermetically sealed, implantable chamber and electrically communicated to the pump. The refillable drug reservoir, hermetically sealed, implantable chamber, pump and control electronics are MRI compatible.