Patent ID: 7421299
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A stimulation electrode comprising an electrically conducting electrode base member ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , 2 d , 2 e , 2 f , 2 g ) formed of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, carbon, platinum, iridium, platinum-iridium alloys, and stainless steel, wherein the electrode base member is partially covered with an electrically insulating ceramic layer, wherein the ceramic layer ( 3 , 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d , 3 e , 3 f , 3 g ) has a thickness of about 1 nm to about 20 μm and is formed of an oxide and/or an oxynitride of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, aluminum, and silicon, and wherein the electrode base member ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , 2 d , 2 e , 2 f , 2 g ) is further at least partially coated with and in direct contact with an electrically conducting layer ( 4 b , 4 c , 4 d , 4 e , 4 f , 4 g ) comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of titanium nitride, niobium nitride, tantalum nitride, zirconium nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, vanadium nitride, iridium oxide, and an alloy of platinum and iridium, wherein the iridium portion of the alloy is ≧21 wt. % and the platinum portion of the alloy is ≧ about 100 ppm.