US5683443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Implantable stimulation electrodes with non-native metal oxide coating mixtures
Assignee: Intermedics Inc
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Filing: 1995-02-07
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Granted: 1997-11-04
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Expires: 2015-02-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an improved stimulation electrode for cardiac pacing and defibrillating, methods of manufacturing same, and methods of using same. Specifically, the electrodes of the invention by virtue of the methods of manufacturing and using, demonstrate improved capabilities of stimulating and sensing neuromuscular tissues. The electrodes have enhanced electrically-accessible surface areas which are coated with oxides of valve metals.
Inventors
- 👤 M. Zafar A. Munshi
- 👤 Chris A. Bonnerup
- 👤 John P. Rosborough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61N1/0565
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An implantable stimulation electrode, comprising: a metal surface essentially devoid of native metal oxides further comprising a metal selected from the group of metals consisting of valve metals or their alloys; said metal surface further comprising an electrically-accessible area; said electrically-accessible area further comprising a macroscopically-enhanced surface area; said macroscopically-enhanced area further comprising a microscopically-enhanced surface area; and, a non-native coating upon said metal surface comprising a mixture of at least two metal oxides selected from the group of metal oxides consisting of oxides of valve metals, noble metals, alloys of valve metals, alloys of noble metals, mixtures of valve and noble metals, said metal oxide or metal oxides capable of reversible reduction-oxidation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An implantable stimulation electrode, comprising: a metal surface essentially devoid of native metal oxides further comprising a metal selected from the group of metals consisting of valve metals or their alloys; said metal surface further comprising an electrically-accessible area; said electrically-accessible area further comprising a macroscopically-enhanced surface area; said macroscopically-enhanced area further comprising a microscopically-enhanced surface area; and, a non-native coating upon said metal surface comprising a mixture of at least two metal oxides selected from the group of metal oxides consisting of oxides of valve metals, noble metals, alloys of valve metals, alloys of noble metals, mixtures of valve and noble metals, said metal oxide or metal oxides capable of reversible reduction-oxidation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode comprises a pacing electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode comprises a defibrillating electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said valve metals or their alloys further comprise iridium, iridium alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, platinum, platinum alloys, tantalum, and tantalum alloys.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said macroscopically-enhanced area further comprises indentations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 5, wherein said indentation comprises a multiplicity of tube-shaped receptacles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 6, wherein said receptacles are between about 10 and 90% of the depth of said metal surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 6, wherein said receptacles are between about 20 and 100 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 6, wherein said receptacles are between about 20 and 30 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 6, wherein said receptacles occur at a density of at least 10 to 400 receptacles per square millimeter of said metal surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 6, wherein said receptacles occur at a density of at least 150 to 350 receptacles per square millimeter of said metal surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 6, wherein said receptacles occur at a density of at least 250 to 300 receptacles per square millimeter of said metal surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 5, wherein said indentation enhances the electrically-accessible area by a factor of at least 100% to 300%.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said macroscopically-enhanced area further comprises corrugations.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 14, wherein said corrugation enhances the electrically-accessible area by a factor of at least 50 to 100%.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 14, wherein said corrugation enhances the electrically-accessible area by a factor of at least 70 to 90%.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 14, wherein said corrugation enhances the electrically-accessible area by a factor of at least 85%.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said microscopically-enhanced area further comprises a chemically-corroded area.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 18, wherein said chemically-corroded area results from exposure to an acid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 19, wherein said acid is oxalic acid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 19, wherein said controlled chemical corrosion induces a density of pitting of at least 50,000-110,000 pits per square millimeter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 19, wherein said controlled chemical corrosion results in a uniformity in the electrically-accessible surface characterized by a preferred aspect ratio.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said microscopically-enhanced area further comprises involutions caused by controlled ion-bombardment.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said mixture of at least two metal oxides further comprises a mixture of ruthenium oxide, iridium oxide, and tantalum oxide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 24 wherein said mixture of ruthenium oxide, iridium oxide, and tantalum oxide comprises a ratio of 50:25:25 weight percent, respectively.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode is capable of reducing the amount of acute coagulation of blood surrounding said electrode by 20-40% over that exhibited by a titanium electrode coated with iridium oxide, by virtue of the combination of said macroscopically-enhanced surface area, said microscopically-enhanced surface area, and said non-native coating.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
53 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode is capable of reducing the amount of fibrotic growth surrounding said electrode by 20-40% over that exhibited by a titanium electrode coated with iridium oxide, by virtue of the combination of said macroscopically-enhanced surface area, said microscopically-enhanced surface area, and said non-native coating.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode is capable of sensing of the electrical state of the excitable tissue most closely adjacent to said electrode by 150-600% over that exhibited by a titanium electrode coated with iridium oxide, by virtue of the combination of said macroscopically-enhanced surface area, said microscopically-enhanced surface area, and said non-native coating.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode exhibits a higher pacing impedance, a lower sensing impedance, and a lower stimulation threshold over that exhibited by a titanium electrode coated with iridium oxide, by virtue of the combination of said macroscopically-enhanced surface area, said microscopically-enhanced surface area, and said non-native coating.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
49 words
The implantable stimulation electrode of claim 1, wherein said electrode is a defibrillation electrode and exhibits a lower defibrillation threshold over that exhibited by a titanium electrode coated with iridium oxide, by virtue of the combination of said macroscopically-enhanced surface area, said microscopically-enhanced surface area, and said non-native coating.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for making an improved metallic electrode for injecting charge into a biological tissue using controlled electrical pulses, said electrode made of a metal and having a metal surface, wherein the method consists of removing essentially all native metal oxides from said metal surface, macroscopically enhancing said metal surface, microscopically enhancing said metal surface and applying a coating upon said metal surface of a mixture of at least two metal oxides selected from the group of metal oxides consisting of oxides of valve metals, noble metals, alloys of valve metals, alloys of noble metals, mixtures of valve and noble metals, capable of reversible reduction-oxidation.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for making an improved metallic electrode for injecting charge into a biological tissue using controlled electrical pulses, said electrode made of a metal and having a metal surface, wherein the method consists of removing essentially all native metal oxides from said metal surface, macroscopically enhancing said metal surface, microscopically enhancing said metal surface and applying a coating upon said metal surface of a mixture of at least two metal oxides selected from the group of metal oxides consisting of oxides of valve metals, noble metals, alloys of valve metals, alloys of noble metals, mixtures of valve and noble metals, capable of reversible reduction-oxidation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improved metal electrode of claim 31 wherein said mixture of at least two metal oxides further comprises a mixture of ruthenium oxide, iridium oxide, and tantalum oxide.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved metal electrode of claim 32 wherein said mixture of ruthenium oxide, iridium oxide, and tantalum oxide comprises a ratio of 50:25:25 weight percent, respectively.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process for applying electrical pulses to a human heart comprising contacting said heart with the electrode of claim 1.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of improving the R-wave sensing capabilities of an implantable cardiac stimulation device comprising connecting said cardiac stimulation device to the electrode of claim 1.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of reducing the amount of coagulation of sera surrounding an implantable electrode comprising contacting said heart with the electrode of claim 1.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-03 | 2001-05-05 | 2001-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | 2005-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-03 | 2009-05-05 | 2009-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |