The primary requirement of any nerve stimulation
device is to deliver electrical signals from a stimulation device
to target nerves. In addition to this basic requirement, the neurotechnology
industry strives toward attaining the following requirements:
| Neurotechnology
Industry Requirements |
EpicCircuit
Features and Benefits |
| Proven
Biocompatibility |
The
compatibility of a device with the living tissue is extremely
important. Careful consideration must be given to the selection
of materials for implantation. |
All
materials (fluoropolymer, platinum, silicone) were chosen for
their known biocompatibility. The end product is designed to
safely withstand the rigorous conditions experienced within
the human body. |
| Excellent
mechanical flexibility |
An
implantable device must withstand biomechanical stresses over
its lifetime of use. Failure may result in premature explantation
and increased trauma to the patient. |
Superior
mechanical flexibility promises long term resistance to wire
breakage, and an inert material system designed to last a lifetime.
Micro-cables are designed to withstand 360º twists, elongation
over 115%, and lateral and horizontal flexure through millions
of cycles under load. |
| Exceptionally
small feature size |
The
smaller the implantable device, the less intrusive it is and
the less traumatic it is to the surrounding tissue. |
A
photolithographic processing method enables the creation of
a multitude of electrodes and conductors with very small dimensions.
One cable design contains 16 electrodes and 64 conductors
within an 800µm x 300µm cross-sectional area. Silicone encapsulated micro-cables
can have a diameter as small as 1.5mm. |
| Enhanced
programming flexibility |
As
the number of separate channels increases, so does the potential
range of stimuli and the area of stimulation. |
A
multitude of electrodes each with multiple redundant microconductors
are designed to allow for a host of programming options. |
| Complex
geometries |
Implantable
devices must be designed to access restricted areas while minimizing
tissue trauma. |
A
thermoplastic fluoropolymer allows for the design and fabrication
of complex three dimensional configurations. To make the structure
more robust, an optional silicone sheath can be added using
patented surface activation technology. |
| Rapid
prototyping |
Prototype
development must be timely and cost effective to meet the rapidly
changing technological environment of the neurotechnology industry.
|
EpicCircuit
provides exceptional design flexibility and rapid modifications.
Changing an electrode array or lead design can be as quick as
revising a CAD file and making a new photo tool. All of the
other processes remain the same. |
| Batch
fabrication |
New
manufacturing techniques are needed to replace costly hand fabrication
methods. |
A
combination of photolithography, encapsulation and micro molding
techniques are designed to achieve efficient, reliable, repeatable,
scalable batch fabrication. |
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