Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for connecting electrically conductive wire to a miniature, implantable sensor or stimulator device for detecting electrical signals or stimulating living tissue. The implantable device has an electrically conductive end on its case which is intimately connected to a doorknob electrode for communicating electrical signals between the living tissue and the device by a biocompatible wire. A spring clip removably attaches to the doorknob electrode so that the wire may be easily attached to the doorknob electrode during surgery. An insulating rubber boot, which may be silicone, surrounds the case end, doorknob electrode, and spring clip to isolate the living tissue from the conductive components. The components are biocompatible materials.

Abstract: An implantable enzyme-based monitoring system suitable for long term in vivo use to measure the concentration of prescribed substances such as glucose is provided. In one embodiment, the implantable enzyme-based monitoring system includes at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and having a window therein, and a polymeric window cover affixed to the outer membrane and covering the window. Preferably, the outer membrane of the monitoring system is silicone and the window cover is a polymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), N,N,-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and methacrylic acid (MA). Also provided herein is an implantable enzyme-based monitoring system having at least one sensor assembly, an outer membrane surrounding the sensor assembly and a coating affixed to the exterior surface of the outer membrane, wherein the coating resists blood coagulation and protein binding to the exterior surface of the outer membrane.

Abstract: An electronics filter circuit includes an electromechanical resonator that is mounted directly to the surface of a silicon integrated circuit, rather than being a surface mounted or leaded filter can on a circuit board. This filter circuit allows the integrated circuit electronic package to be significantly smaller than a conventional electromechanical resonator package. The electromechanical resonator may be protected during processing and during use with a protective cover that is made of a material such as titanium. The protective cover is attached to the integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A system and method that facilitates stimulating neural pathways, e.g., muscles and/or associated nerves, of a patient's body for the purpose of therapeutic medical treatment by rehabilitating weakened muscles and using neuroplasticity to retrain sequential muscle movements and/or to provide the ability to directly deliver functional motor movements. Use of the present invention is of particular value for treating a patient following a stroke. More particularly, such systems are characterized by a plurality of discrete devices, preferably battery powered but may alternatively include RF-powered devices as well or in combination, configured for implanting within a patient's body via injection, each device being configured to affect a parameter, e.g., via nerve and/or muscle stimulation and/or to sense a body parameter, e.g., temperature, O2 content, physical position, electrical potential, etc.

Abstract: A device configured for implanting beneath a patient's skin for the purpose of tissue, e.g., nerve or muscle, stimulation and/or parameter monitoring and/or data communication. Devices in accordance with the invention are comprised of a sealed housing, typically having an axial dimension of less than 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than 6 mm, containing a power source for powering electronic circuitry within including a controller, an address storage means, a data signal receiver and an input/output transducer. When used as a stimulator, such a device is useful in a wide variety of applications to stimulate nerves and associated neural pathways. Alternatively, devices of the present invention are configurable to monitor a biological parameter. Furthermore, a placement structure is shown for facilitating placement of the implantable device proximate to neural/muscular tissue.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zerconia, or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: Systems and method utilizing microelectronic devices for determining relative positions such as distances and/or angles between at least two points is described. The points may be locations of parts of the body such as the fingers on a person's hand. A first microelectronic device is adapted to emit magnetic signals and at least a second microelectronic device is adapted to receive the magnetic signals, wherein a controller is adapted to communicate with the first and second microelectronic devices. The second microelectronic device and/or the controller are adapted to determine a distance and angle between the first and the second microelectronic devices based on the strength of the magnetic signals received by the second microelectronic device.

Abstract: An implantable device comprising a sensing unit, wherein the sensing unit is adapted to rectify biological/neurological signals in the form of sensed electrical signals from body tissue adjacent to the location of the implantable device. The sensing unit of the implantable device comprises at least one amplifier, wherein the supply current to the at least one amplifier is responsive to the magnitude of the sensed electrical signals provided to the at least one amplifier. The implantable device is further capable of integrating the rectified sensed electrical signals and generating output signals, wherein the output signals contain indicia of biopotential parameters of the body tissue.

Abstract: A neural device comprising a housing and at least one integrated circuit having a temperature sensor for sensing temperature in a body, wherein the at least one integrated circuit is attached to said housing. The neural device may be a neural stimulator for stimulating nerves in a body or a neural sensor for sensing electrical signals from nerve tissue in a body or adapted to have both capabilities of electrically stimulating and/or sensing the nerves in a body. Furthermore, the temperature sensor may be integrated in the integrated circuit.

Abstract: System and apparatus for measuring pressure comprising a microelectronic device, an interface member attached to the microelectronic device, a pressure sensor having a diaphragm responsive to external pressure exerted upon the diaphragm, wherein the interface member is positioned between the microelectronic device and the pressure sensor and is attached to the pressure sensor providing a first cavity between the pressure sensor diaphragm and the interface member and wherein the pressure in the first cavity is set at an initial predetermined pressure.

Abstract: The invention is a method of qualifying an implantable ceramic component made of high-purity dense yttria tetragonal zirconium oxide polycrystal (Y-TZP) by application of non-destructive tests. Specifically, a qualified Y-TZP ceramic component or witness sample is examined by X-ray diffraction to determine the initial monoclinic phase content. The component or witness sample is exposed to steam at 127° C. for a predetermined period of time, preferably six hours. The monoclinic phase content is determined for the post-exposure sample. The absolute difference between the initial monoclinic phase content and the post-exposure monoclinic phase content is calculated by difference. If the difference is less than 2.1% the sample is accepted. In an alternate embodiment, the components that pass the screening test are examined by ultrasonic testing to evaluate soundness of the ceramic component. Any component that presents a flaw of greater than three microns is rejected.