Patent ID: 8298608
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for producing a stimulation electrode comprising an electrically conducting electrode base member 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 ) is formed of an oxide and/or an oxynitride of tantalum 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 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 comprising≧21 wt. % iridium and ≧about 100 ppm platinum, wherein the electrode base member ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , 2 d , 2 e , 2 f , 2 g ) is made of tantalum, and the ceramic layer ( 3 , 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d , 3 e , 3 f , 3 g ) is formed by at least partially oxidizing the tantalum electrode base member ( 2 , 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , 2 d , 2 e , 2 f , 2 g ) to tantalum oxide by thermal or electrochemical oxidation.