Micromachined electrode array

Patent · Mon Dec 10 23:00:00 EST 2007

OSTI ID:920986

Okandan, Murat ^[1]; Wessendorf, Kurt O ^[2]

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1. Edgewood, NM
2. Albuquerque, NM

An electrode array is disclosed which has applications for neural stimulation and sensing. The electrode array, in certain embodiments, can include a plurality of electrodes each of which is flexibly attached to a common substrate using a plurality of springs to allow the electrodes to move independently. In other embodiments of the electrode array, the electrodes can be fixed to the substrate. The electrode array can be formed from a combination of bulk and surface micromachining, and can include electrode tips having an electroplated metal (e.g. platinum, iridium, gold or titanium) or a metal oxide (e.g. iridium oxide) for biocompatibility. The electrode array can be used to form a part of a neural prosthesis, and is particularly well adapted for use in an implantable retinal prosthesis.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM
• Sponsoring Organization: United States Department of Energy
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): 7,308,317
• Application Number: 11/060,473
• OSTI ID: 920986
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English