Gold Surface Protection in Hermetic Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gold surfaces in hermetically sealed biomedical devices, such as cochlear implants, are susceptible to corrosion due to high electrical current densities and voltage potentials, leading to increased surface corrosion when exposed to bodily fluids and tissues.
Innovation Solution
Application of a thin film coating with organosulfur compounds or other functional groups that form strong bonds with gold surfaces, creating a protective barrier against corrosion by preventing fluid and vapor contact, thereby shielding the gold surfaces from the implanted environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gold surfaces are used in hermetically sealed biomedical devices, then electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance are improved, but susceptibility to corrosion under high current densities and voltage potentials increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thin film coating serves as an intermediary layer between the gold surface and the corrosive implanted environment. This coating prevents direct contact between bodily fluids and the gold surface, thereby eliminating the corrosion mechanism while preserving the electrical functionality of the gold underlying structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin film coating is applied to the gold surface to provide protection. This thin film acts as a flexible barrier that prevents fluid and vapor penetration while maintaining the electrical conductivity and mechanical integrity of the underlying gold structure in the implanted environment.
2Reliability
If gold braze joints are used to seal conductive pins and feedthroughs, then hermetic sealing is improved, but corrosion susceptibility under high current densities increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film coating acts as a protective intermediary on the gold braze joint surfaces, preventing direct exposure to corrosive bodily fluids while allowing the joint to maintain its hermetic sealing function under high current density conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Application of a thin film coating to the gold braze joint surfaces provides a protective barrier that prevents fluid penetration and corrosion, thereby extending the service life and reliability of the hermetic seal in implanted devices.
3Reliability
If thin film coatings are applied to protect gold surfaces, then corrosion resistance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By controlling the thickness and composition parameters of the thin film coating, the patent achieves effective corrosion protection with a minimal added layer that does not significantly alter the electrical or mechanical properties of the underlying gold structure, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The thin film coatings effectively prevent medically significant amounts of liquid and vapor from penetrating the gold surfaces for extended periods, significantly reducing corrosion and ensuring the longevity and reliability of the implanted devices.
Implementation Method 1
Application of a thin film coating with organosulfur compounds or other functional groups that form strong bonds with gold surfaces
Implementation Method 2
creating a protective barrier against corrosion by preventing fluid and vapor contact
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable device includes an exterior gold surface and a thin film disposed on the exterior gold surface and forming a barrier between the exterior gold surface and an implanted environment, in which the thin film includes molecules with a head portion, the head portion attached to the exterior gold surface.