Passivation Opening Sidewall Isolation for Medical Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Artificially created openings in passivation layers of medical implants are vulnerable to electrical and fluid degradation, leading to unintended electrical access and exposure to external influences, which compromises the integrity of the implant's electrical and insulating properties.
Innovation Solution
An electrically and/or fluid-tight and/or gas-tight insulating side wall is applied to the perimeter of the opening in the passivation layer, preventing electrical contact with electrolytes and protecting the implant from further degradation while allowing the opening to remain functional for applications like feedthroughs or plug connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If galvanic filling with electrically conductive material is used to close the opening, then the electrode side wall is protected against degradation, but electrical access to other electrically active layers is created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a different material property (electrical insulation) to the specific location of the opening side wall, while leaving the rest of the passivation structure unchanged. The insulating coating is applied only to the inner surface of the opening, creating local electrical insulation that prevents harmful electrical access to underlying active layers while maintaining the overall passivation integrity.
2Reliability
If the opening is completely filled galvanically, then the passivation defect is closed, but the opening cannot be used for feedthroughs or plug connections
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely filling the opening with conductive material, the patent applies only a partial coating - an insulating layer on the inner wall surface. This partial action provides sufficient protection against degradation while leaving the opening space available for functional elements like feedthroughs or plug connections, thus maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If an insulating coating is applied to the opening side wall, then electrical insulation is maintained, but the passivation structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the insulation function from the bulk passivation material and applies it specifically to the opening side wall as a separate coating layer. This extraction allows the insulating property to be applied only where needed (at the opening), simplifying the overall structure compared to making the entire passivation system more complex.
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 insulating side wall effectively isolates the passivation layer from external influences, maintaining electrical insulation and protecting the implant from fluid penetration, while enabling continued use of the opening for necessary functions.
Implementation Method 1
An electrically and/or fluid-tight and/or gas-tight insulating side wall is applied to the perimeter of the opening in the passivation layer, preventing electrical contact with electrolytes
Implementation Method 2
An electrically and/or fluid-tight and/or gas-tight insulating side wall is applied to the perimeter of the opening in the passivation layer
Implementation Method 3
An electrically and/or fluid-tight and/or gas-tight insulating side wall is applied to the perimeter of the opening in the passivation layer
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method for isolating a passivation (10), an isolating wall (30) is arranged along the circumference of at least one opening (15) created in a predetermined way in the passivation (10). A resultant passivation system has an electrically and/or fluid-tightly and gas-tightly isolating wall (30) along the circumference of at least the opening (15) created in a predetermined way in the passivation (10). The isolating wall (30) of a predetermined thickness along a circumference of an opening (15) produced in a predetermined way in a passivation (10) of a medical implant advantageously provides an isolation of the passivation (10) or components of the same with respect to electricity and/or liquid from the opening (15) acting on the passivation (10) or the components of the same.