Abstract: A stimulation electrode is provided having an electrically conducting electrode base member which is partially covered with an electrically insulating ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is formed of an oxide and/or an oxynitride of at least one metal of the group of titanium, niobium. tantalum, zirconium, aluminum and silicon. Various methods are provided for production of the stimulation electrode, including methods in which the ceramic layer is formed in situ by a thermal, chemical or electrochemical oxidation or oxynitridation process. The stimulation electrode may be used as a cardiac pacemaker electrode, a neuro-stimulation electrode, or another human implant.

Abstract: An electrode for medical applications is provided with a PtIr coating which is at least partly porous. The coating contains more than 20% iridium by weight and at least 100 ppm Pt. The coated areas of the electrode exhibit an electrochemical capacitance of more than 5 mF/cm2 in physiological saline solution at 37° C. and a measurement frequency of 100 mHz. A sputter process is suitable for this purpose, in which a porous platinum-iridium layer is deposited on the electrode by simultaneously sputtering at least one iridium target and at least one platinum target.

Abstract: A stimulation electrode is provided having an electrically conducting electrode base member which is partially covered with an electrically insulating ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is formed of an oxide and/or an oxynitride of at least one metal of the group of titanium, niobium. tantalum, zirconium, aluminum and silicon. Various methods are provided for production of the stimulation electrode, including methods in which the ceramic layer is formed in situ by a thermal, chemical or electrochemical oxidation or oxynitridation process. The stimulation electrode may be used as a cardiac pacemaker electrode, a neuro-stimulation electrode, or another human implant.

Abstract: A stimulation electrode is provided having an electrically conducting electrode base member which is partially covered with an electrically insulating ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is formed of an oxide and/or an oxynitride of at least one metal of the group of titanium, niobium. tantalum, zirconium, aluminum and silicon. Various methods are provided for production of the stimulation electrode, including methods in which the ceramic layer is formed in situ by a thermal, chemical or electrochemical oxidation or oxynitridation process. The stimulation electrode may be used as a cardiac pacemaker electrode, a neuro-stimulation electrode, or another human implant.

Abstract: An electrode for medical applications is provided with a PtIr coating which is at least partly porous. The coating contains more than 20% iridium by weight and at least 100 ppm Pt. The coated areas of the electrode exhibit an electrochemical capacitance of more than 5 mF/cm2 in physiological saline solution at 37° C. and a measurement frequency of 100 mHz. A sputter process is suitable for this purpose, in which a porous platinum-iridium layer is deposited on the electrode by simultaneously sputtering at least one iridium target and at least one platinum target.

Abstract: A medical implant or device which is at least partially fabricated from a metal alloy consisting essentially of (a) 98.85-99.15 weight percent Niobium, (b) 0.85-1.15% weight percent Zirconium.

Abstract: A stimulation electrode is provided having an electrically conducting electrode base member which is partially covered with an electrically insulating ceramic layer. The ceramic layer is formed of an oxide and/or an oxynitride of at least one metal of the group of titanium, niobium. tantalum, zirconium, aluminum and silicon. Various methods are provided for production of the stimulation electrode, including methods in which the ceramic layer is formed in situ by a thermal, chemical or electrochemical oxidation or oxynitridation process. The stimulation electrode may be used as a cardiac pacemaker electrode, a neuro-stimulation electrode, or another human implant.