Abstract: Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention is directed to a cortical stimulator for neuromodulation. The cortical stimulator is configured so as to stimulate or block the operation of a portion of the cortex, for example, but not limited to, the motor cortex of a subject who has suffered a stroke. The present disclosure of a cortical stimulator includes a flexible circuit electrode array connected to an electronics package and a coil inductively coupled to an external coil for power and data. The present invention includes an electrode array significantly larger than the area intended to be stimulated. The larger electrode array allows a clinician to select the location of stimulation after completion of the surgery.

Abstract: A peripheral nerve stimulator configured as a flexible circuit to stimulate or block the operation of a nerve or nerve bundle, including electrode array, cable and bond pad portions connected to an electronics package. The electrode array is configured for peripheral nerve modulation and may be curved cylindrically to encompass a nerve. A cylindrical curve can be imparted through thermoforming or by applying a stretchable polymer. The stretchable polymer places the electrode array portion into a cylinder when the electrode array portion is in a relaxed position. The electronics package includes low profile, stacked thin chip electronic components that are tunable in-situ, requiring less vertical and lateral space than stacked passives. The thin chip components may be high density trench capacitors, metal-on-semiconductor capacitors positioned on an integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode array, comprising: a) depositing a metal trace layer containing a base coating layer, a conducting layer and a top coating layer on the insulator polymer base layer; b) applying a layer of photoresist on the metal trace layer and patterning the metal trace layer and forming metal traces on the insulator polymer base layer; c) activating the insulator polymer base layer and depositing a top insulator polymer layer and forming one single insulating polymer layer with the base insulator polymer layer; d) applying a thin metal layer and a layer of photoresist on the surface of the insulator polymer layer and selective etching the insulator layer and the top coating layer to obtain at least one via; and e) filling the via with electrode material. A layer of polymer is laid down. A layer of metal is applied to the polymer and patterned to create electrodes and leads for those electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for detecting, tracking and recognizing human faces in a visual prosthesis. In a visual prosthesis, the input camera is always higher resolution than the electrode array providing percepts to the subject. It is advantageous to detect, track and recognize human faces. This information can be provided to the subject by highlighting the face in the visual scene, providing auditor or vibratory notice that a human face is in the visual scene, looking up the face in a database to identify and annunciate the name of the person in the visual scene, or otherwise communicate the identity of the person, like providing a custom vibratory pattern corresponding to known individuals (like custom ring tones associated with caller ID) or automatically zooming in on a face to aid the subject in identifying the face.

Abstract: Electrode arrays for biological implants are disclosed. The present disclosure provides array designs for improving apposition (reducing the space between the array and neural tissue). The present disclosure also provides electrode array designs that can be made approximately spherical to increase the field of view of a visual prosthesis while still maintaining good apposition to neural tissue.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the processing of platinum metallized high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) components with minimum deleterious reactions between platinum and the glass constituents of the ceramic-glass body. The process comprises co-firing a multilayer laminate green ceramic-glass body with via structures filled with a platinum powder-based material in a reducing atmosphere with a specified level of oxygen partial pressure. The oxygen partial pressure should be maintained above a minimum threshold value for a given temperature level.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for detecting, tracking and recognizing human faces in a visual prosthesis. In a visual prosthesis, the input camera is always higher resolution than the electrode array providing percepts to the subject. It is advantageous to detect, track and recognize human faces. This information can be provided to the subject by highlighting the face in the visual scene, providing auditor or vibratory notice that a human face is in the visual scene, looking up the face in a database to identify and annunciate the name of the person in the visual scene, or otherwise communicate the identity of the person, like providing a custom vibratory pattern corresponding to known individuals (like custom ring tones associated with caller ID) or automatically zooming in on a face to aid the subject in identifying the face.

Abstract: An implantable device having a biocompatible hermetic package made from a biocompatible electrically non-conductive substrate and a cover bonded to the substrate. In integrated circuit and passive circuits all bonded directly to the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for detecting, tracking and recognizing human faces in a visual prosthesis. In a visual prosthesis, the input camera is always higher resolution than the electrode array providing percepts to the subject. It is advantageous to detect, track and recognize human faces. Then information can be provided to the subject by highlighting the face in the visual scene, providing auditor or vibratory notice that a human face is in the visual scene, looking up the face in a database to state the name of the person in the visual scene, otherwise communication id like providing a custom vibratory pattern corresponding to known individuals (like custom ring tones associated with caller ID) or automatically zooming in on a face to aid the subject in identifying the face.

Abstract: Electrode arrays for biological implants are disclosed. The present disclosure provides array designs for improving apposition (reducing the space between the array and neural tissue). The present disclosure also provides electrode array designs that can be made approximately spherical to increase the field of view of a visual prosthesis while still maintaining good apposition to neural tissue.

Abstract: Electrode arrays for biological implants are disclosed, particularly for stimulating a retina. The present disclosure provides array for improving apposition (reducing the space between the array and the retina. The present disclosure also provides electrode array designs that can be made approximately spherical to increase the field of view of a visual prosthesis while still maintaining good apposition.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the processing of platinum metallized high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) components with minimum deleterious reactions between platinum and the glass constituents of the ceramic-glass body. The process comprises co-firing a multilayer laminate green ceramic-glass body with via structures filled with a platinum powder-based material in a reducing atmosphere with a specified level of oxygen partial pressure. The oxygen partial pressure should be maintained above a minimum threshold value for a given temperature level.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode array, comprising: a) depositing a metal trace layer containing a base coating layer, a conducting layer and a top coating layer on the insulator polymer base layer; b) applying a layer of photoresist on the metal trace layer and patterning the metal trace layer and forming metal traces on the insulator polymer base layer; c) activating the insulator polymer base layer and depositing a top insulator polymer layer and forming one single insulating polymer layer with the base insulator polymer layer; d) applying a thin metal layer and a layer of photoresist on the surface of the insulator polymer layer and selective etching the insulator layer and the top coating layer to obtain at least one via; and e) filling the via with electrode material. A layer of polymer is laid down. A layer of metal is applied to the polymer and patterned to create electrodes and leads for those electrodes.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for processing of platinum metallized high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) components with minimum deleterious reaction between platinum and the glass constituents of the ceramic-glass body. The process comprises co-firing a multilayer laminate green ceramic-glass body with via structures filled with a platinum powder-based material in a reducing atmosphere with a specified level of oxygen partial pressure. The oxygen partial pressure should be maintained above a minimum threshold value for a given temperature level.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable electrode with increased stability wherein the surface is of the electrode comprises mesh grids which are filled with sticks which are filed with a conducting or insulating material. The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing an electrode with increased stability, comprising: depositing a metal layer on an base layer; applying photoresist layer on the metal layer; patterning the photoresist layer providing openings; electroplating the openings with metal; removing the photoresist layer leaving spaces; and filling the spaces with polymer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of bonding a hermetically sealed electronics package to an electrode or a flexible circuit and the resulting electronics package that is suitable for implantation in living tissue, for a retinal or cortical electrode array to enable restoration of sight to certain non-sighted individuals. The hermetically sealed electronics package is directly bonded to the flex circuit or electrode by electroplating a biocompatible material, such as platinum or gold, effectively forming a plated rivet-shaped connection, which bonds the flex circuit to the electronics package. The resulting electronic device is biocompatible and is suitable for long-term implantation in living tissue.

Abstract: Novel multilayer composite material vias for biological implants are disclosed. The vias comprise two metals, so that the metal more compatible with biological environments is on one end of the via, and the metal more compatible with fabrication of a hermetic package is on the other end of the via.

Abstract: Novel multilayer composite material vias for biological implants are disclosed. The vias comprise two metals, so that the metal more compatible with biological environments is on one end of the via, and the metal more compatible with fabrication of a hermetic package is on the other end of the via.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved hermetic package for a retinal prosthesis implanted in the human body. The retinal prosthesis includes a flexible circuit electrode array suitable to stimulate the retina while connected to a hermetic package on the outside of the eye, the hermetic package including a cover and a base where the cover is bonded to the base such that the cover and base form the hermetic package.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a biocompatible hermetic housing including electrical feedthroughs, the method comprises providing a ceramic sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface, forming at least one via hole in said ceramic sheet extending from said upper surface to said lower surface, inserting a conductive thick film paste into said via hole, laminating the ceramic sheet with paste filled via hole between an upper ceramic sheet and a lower ceramic sheet to form a laminated ceramic substrate, firing the laminated ceramic substrate to a temperature to sinter the laminated ceramic substrate and cause the paste filled via hole to form metalized via and cause the laminated ceramic substrate to form a hermetic seal around said metalized via, and removing the upper ceramic sheet and the lower ceramic sheet material from the fired laminated ceramic substrate to expose an upper and a lower surface of the metalized via.