Patent ID: 7060216
Filing Date: 2006-06-13
Classification: B29C,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of encapsulating a pressure sensitive integrated circuit within a plastic molded package, comprising: providing an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including a pressure sensing element; applying a quantity of gel to the integrated circuit such as to cover at least the pressure sensing element, thereby forming a gel-covered assembly; inserting the gel-covered assembly into a cavity of a molding tool; attaching a retractable pin to the gel-covered assembly; introducing a plastic mold compound into the cavity so as to encapsulate the gel-covered assembly and at least a portion of the pin; and removing the pin from the gel such as to leave a passageway in the plastic mold encapsulating the gel-covered assembly, thereby exposing the gel to the pressure of the atmosphere through the passageway, whereby the gel transfers the pressure to the pressure sensitive integrated circuit, wherein the pin is a hollow tube, and wherein the method further comprises applying a reduced air pressure to an external end of the tube to maintain contact between the gel-covered assembly and the tube during the encapsulation.