Patent Description:
Various systems require electrical coupling between electrical devices disposed within a sealed enclosure or housing and devices or systems external to the enclosure. Oftentimes, such electrical coupling needs to withstand various environmental factors such that a conductive pathway or pathways from the external surface of the enclosure to within the enclosure remains stable. For example, implantable medical devices (IMDs), e.g., cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators, and drug pumps, which include electronic circuitry and one or more power sources, require an enclosure or housing to contain and seal these elements within a body of a patient. Many of these IMDs include one or more electrical feedthroughs to provide electrical connections between the elements contained within the housing and components of the IMD external to the housing, for example, one or more conductors, sensors, electrodes, and lead wires mounted on an exterior surface of the housing, or electrical contacts housed within a connector header, which is mounted on the housing to provide coupling for one or more implantable leads.

Transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) systems are used to supply power to implantable medical devices such as pumps that are implanted within a human body. An electromagnetic field generated by a transmitting coil outside the body can transmit power across a cutaneous (skin) barrier to a magnetic receiving coil implanted within the body. The receiving coil can then transfer the received power to the implanted pump or other implantable devices and to one or more power sources (e.g., batteries) implanted within the body to charge the power source. Such systems efficiently generate and wirelessly transmit a sufficient amount of energy to power one or more implanted devices while maintaining the system's efficiency and overall convenience of user.

TET systems can be utilized, e.g., with ventricular assist devices (VADs) that include implantable blood pumps that are used when a patient's heart is unable to provide adequate circulation to the patient's body, thereby leading to heart failure. Such patients may use a VAD while awaiting a heart transplant or for longer periods of time. Further, some patients may use a VAD while recovering from heart surgery. Such VADs typically include implanted power sources that can be charged, e.g., by a TET system.

<CIT> describes a hybrid packing for implantable device.

<CIT> describes a method of bonding two substrates and a device manufactured thereby.

The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to an electronic package and an implantable medical device that includes such electronic package. The package can include a nonconductive substrate and a conductive layer hermetically sealed to a first major surface of the substrate over an opening disposed through the substrate. The package can also include a conductor block disposed in the opening of the substrate that is electrically connected to the conductive layer, and an electronic device disposed adjacent to the first major surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the conductive layer. A nonconductive cover can be disposed over the electronic device and the nonconductive substrate such that the electronic device is disposed within a cavity of the cover. The cover can be sealed to the substrate.

In one example, aspects of this disclosure relate to an electronic package that includes a nonconductive substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an opening disposed through the substrate between the first major surface and the second major surface. The package also includes a conductive layer hermetically sealed to the first major surface of the substrate and over the opening; a conductor block disposed in the opening and extending beyond the second major surface of the substrate, where the conductor block is electrically connected to the conductive layer; and an electronic device disposed adjacent to the first major surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the conductive layer. The package also includes a nonconductive cover disposed over the electronic device and the nonconductive substrate and hermetically sealed to the substrate, where the electronic device is disposed within a cavity of the cover.

In another example, aspects of this disclosure relate to an implantable medical device that includes a housing and an electronic package disposed within the housing. The electronic package includes a nonconductive substrate having a first major surface, a second major surface, and an opening disposed through the substrate between the first major surface and the second major surface. The package further includes a conductive layer hermetically sealed to the first major surface of the substrate and over the opening; a conductor block disposed in the opening and extending beyond the second major surface of the substrate, where the conductor block is electrically connected to the conductive layer; and an electronic device disposed adjacent to the first major surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the conductive layer. The package further includes a nonconductive cover disposed over the electronic device and the nonconductive substrate and hermetically sealed to the substrate, where the electronic device is disposed within a cavity of the cover.

In another example, aspects of this disclosure relate to a method that includes disposing an opening through a nonconductive substrate, where the opening extends between a first major surface and a second major surface of the nonconductive substrate; hermetically sealing a conductive layer to the first major surface of the substrate and over the opening; and disposing a conductor block in the opening such that it extends beyond the second major surface of the substrate, where the conductor block is electrically connected to the conductive layer. The method further includes disposing an electronic device adjacent to the first major surface of the nonconductive substrate, where the electronic device is electrically connected to the conductive layer; disposing a nonconductive cover over the electronic device and the conductive layer, where the electronic device is disposed within a cavity of the cover; and hermetically sealing the nonconductive cover to the nonconductive substrate to form an electronic package.

In another example, aspects of this disclosure relate to a method that includes disposing an opening through a nonconductive substrate wafer such that the opening extends between a first major surface and a second major surface of the nonconductive substrate wafer; hermetically sealing a conductive layer to the first major surface of the nonconductive substrate wafer; and patterning the conductive layer. The method further includes disposing a conductor block in the opening of the nonconductive substrate wafer such that it extends beyond the second major surface of the nonconductive substrate wafer, where the conductor block is electrically connected to the conductive layer; disposing an electronic device adjacent to the first major surface of the nonconductive substrate wafer, where the electronic device is electrically connected to the conductive layer; and disposing a nonconductive cover wafer over the electronic device and the conductive layer, where the electronic device is disposed within a cavity of the nonconductive cover wafer. The method further includes hermetically sealing the nonconductive cover wafer to the nonconductive substrate wafer, and singulating the nonconductive cover wafer and the nonconductive substrate wafer to form an electronic package.

Charging systems such as transcutaneous energy transfer systems can charge implantable medical devices by generating an electromagnetic field using an external transmitting coil and transmitting such field to a magnetic receiving coil implanted within a body of a patient and electrically connected to the implantable medical device. Such electromagnetic field can, however, undesirably produce eddy currents in portions of a housing of these implantable medical devices. Further, some housings of these implantable medical devices can reduce charging efficiency by interfering with the transmission of the electromagnetic radiation. Excessive heat can also be generated in metal materials of the housing or such materials disposed within the housing. Some housings of these systems can also lack hermeticity.

Various embodiments of electronic packages and devices and systems that include such packages provide one or more advantages over currently-available packages and devices. For example, one or more embodiments of packages described herein include a feedthrough that has low resistance such that large electrical currents can pass from a conductor block disposed external to a housing of the device to one or more electrical components disposed within the housing. Low resistance can be provided by the direct connection between the conductor block and the conductive layer. Further, one or more embodiments include a nonconductive housing that can reduce eddy-current formation in the housing when the package is exposed to an electromagnetic field used to charge the device. The package can have a low profile with a small form factor. Further, one or more embodiments of packages described herein can be manufactured using a wafer to wafer process.

<FIG> are various views of one embodiment of an electronic package <NUM>. The package <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM> that has a first major surface <NUM>, a second major surface <NUM>, and one or more openings <NUM> disposed through the substrate between the first major surface and the second major surface. The package <NUM> also includes one or more conductive layers <NUM> sealed to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and over the opening <NUM>; one or more conductor blocks <NUM> disposed in the openings and extending beyond the second major surface of the substrate, where the conductor blocks are electrically connected to the conductive layers; and one or more electronic devices <NUM> disposed adjacent to the first major surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the conductive layers. Further, the package <NUM> includes a cover <NUM> disposed over the electronic devices <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> and sealed to the substrate, where the electronic devices are disposed within a cavity <NUM> of the cover.

The substrate <NUM> can include any suitable material or materials. In one or more embodiments, the substrate <NUM> can be a nonconductive substrate that includes any suitable nonconductive material or materials, e.g., sapphire, glass, ceramic, etc. Further, the substrate <NUM> can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. As shown in <FIG>, the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> faces the electronic devices <NUM> and the cover <NUM>, and the second major surface <NUM> faces the conductor blocks <NUM>. Although depicted as including a single layer, the substrate <NUM> can include any suitable number of layers of the same material or differing materials. Further, the substrate <NUM> can be manufactured as a single part or singulated from a wafer as is further described herein.

Disposed through the substrate <NUM> between the first and second major surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> are openings <NUM>. Such openings <NUM> can have any suitable dimensions. Further, the openings <NUM> can take any suitable shape or shapes in a plane parallel to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate, e.g., rectilinear, ovular, polygonal, etc. Any suitable number of openings <NUM> can be disposed through the substrate <NUM>, e.g., one, two, three, four, five, or more openings. The openings <NUM> can be disposed through the substrate <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., grit blasting, mechanical machining, laser drilling, chemical etching, water jet, etc..

The conductive layer <NUM> can be disposed on the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and over one or more of the openings <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the conductive layer <NUM> occludes one or more of the openings <NUM>. The conductive layer <NUM> can include one or more layers. Further, the conductive layer <NUM> can include one or more discrete portions that are electrically connected together or electrically isolated. For example, as shown, e.g., in <FIG>, the conductive layer <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM>-<NUM> and a second portion <NUM>-<NUM>. The first and second portions <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> can be formed separately and disposed on the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> as discrete portions, or formed as a unitary layer adjacent to the first major surface and patterned using any suitable technique or techniques.

The conductive layer <NUM> can include any suitable conductive material or materials, e.g., titanium, copper, silver, gold, nickel, aluminum, niobium, etc. Further, the conductive layer <NUM> can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. The conductive layer <NUM> can be disposed on the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, ink jet printing, plating, etc. In one or more embodiments, the conductive layer <NUM> can include a foil that is disposed on the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> as a sheet of material and then patterned using any suitable technique or techniques.

The conductive layer <NUM> can be hermetically sealed to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., diffusion bonding, laser-assisted diffusion bonding, adhering, mechanically fastening, brazing, etc..

For example, the conductive layer <NUM> can be hermetically sealed to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> using one or more of the diffusion bonding techniques described in co-owned and co-filed <CIT> and entitled KINETICALLY LIMITED NANO-SCALE DIFFUSION BOND STRUCTURES AND METHODS. In one or more embodiments, electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light) can be directed through the substrate <NUM> from its second major surface <NUM> and focused on a region between the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and the conductive layer <NUM>. Any suitable electromagnetic radiation can be utilized to form the bond. In one or more embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation can include laser light that can include any suitable wavelength or range of wavelengths. In one or more embodiments, the laser light can include light having a wavelength of at least <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the laser light can include a wavelength of no greater than <NUM>. For example, laser light can include UV light, visible light, IR light, and combinations thereof. The UV light can be provided by a UV laser that has any suitable wavelength or range of wavelengths and any suitable pulse width. In one or more embodiments, a UV laser can be utilized to provide light having a wavelength in a range of <NUM>-<NUM> and a pulse width in a range of <NUM>-<NUM> ns. In one or more embodiments, the materials for the substrate <NUM> and the conductive layer <NUM>, and the power level and wavelength of the light used may be selected such that the light may not directly damage, ablate, warp, or cut the substrate and the housing, and such that the substrate and the housing retain their bulk properties.

In general, electromagnetic radiation can be provided by any suitable laser or laser system. For example, the laser may generate electromagnetic radiation having a relatively narrow set of wavelengths (e.g., a single wavelength). In one or more embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the laser may form a collimated beam that may not be focused on a particular point. In one or more embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the laser may be focused on a focal point at a region between the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and the conductive layer <NUM> to generate a laser bond <NUM> (<FIG>).

Although the laser may provide electromagnetic radiation that has a narrow range of wavelengths, in one or more embodiments, the laser may represent one or more devices that emit electromagnetic radiation having a wider range of wavelengths than a single typical laser. A wide variety of devices may be used to emit electromagnetic radiation having a narrow or wide range of wavelengths. In one or more embodiments, the laser may include one or more laser devices including diode and fiber lasers. Laser sources may also include, e.g., Ti sapphire lasers, argon ion lasers, Nd:YAG lasers, XeF lasers, HeNe lasers, Dye lasers, GaAs/AlGaAs lasers, Alexandrite lasers, InGaAs lasers, InGaAsP lasers, Nd:glass lasers, Yb:YAG lasers, and Yb fiber lasers. The laser device may also include one of continuous wave, modulated, or pulsed modes. Accordingly, a wide variety of laser devices may be used in the bonding process. In one or more embodiments, a power level of the laser may be set to approximately <NUM> W, distributed across the approximate focused beam diameter of <NUM>, with a top hat, Gaussian, or other suitable spatial energy profile.

In one or more embodiments, the bond <NUM> can be a bond line or lines that can be formed between the conductive layer <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> such that the conductive layer is hermetically sealed to the substrate. The bond line <NUM> can take any suitable shape or shapes. For example, the bond line <NUM> can form a closed shape in a plane parallel to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> such that the bond surrounds opening <NUM>. As used herein, the term "closed shape" means that the shape is entirely enclosed such that its perimeter is unbroken and continuous. Any suitable closed shape or shapes can be formed by the bond line <NUM>, e.g., elliptical, rectilinear, triangular, polygonal, etc..

In one or more embodiments, the bond <NUM> between the conductive layer <NUM> and the first major surface <NUM> can be a bonded region that surrounds one or more openings <NUM>. The bonded region can take any suitable shape or combination of shapes. In one or more embodiments, the bond <NUM> can include two or more shapes with one shape circumscribing the second shape. For example, the bond <NUM> can include two or more concentric elliptical bond lines or rings. In such embodiments, the two or more shapes may be isolated so that the shapes do not intersect or overlap. In one or more embodiments, the two or more shapes may intersect or overlap along any suitable portion or portions of the shapes. In one or more embodiments, the bond <NUM> can include two or more bond lines that together surround one or more openings <NUM>. For example, the bond can include a series of parallel lines that are intersected by two or more lines that are non-parallel to the series of parallel lines.

In one or more embodiments, the bond <NUM> can include an interfacial layer between the conductive layer <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>. It should be understood that the thickness of the interfacial layer, is in part, a function of the desired strength of the bond <NUM> and the thickness of the conductive layer <NUM> and/or the substrate <NUM>. Therefore, this interfacial layer can have any suitable thickness in a direction normal to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>. In accordance with one or more example embodiments, a typical thickness of the interfacial layer in a direction normal to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> includes a thickness of no greater than <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>.

Disposed in one or more of the openings <NUM> are conductor blocks <NUM>. The conductor blocks <NUM> extend beyond the second major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and are electrically connected to the conductive layer <NUM>. Although depicted as including two conductor blocks <NUM>, the package <NUM> can include any suitable number of conductor blocks. Further, one or more conductor blocks <NUM> can be disposed in each opening <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, one conductor block <NUM> is disposed in each opening <NUM> of the package <NUM>.

The conductor blocks <NUM> can include any suitable conductive material or materials, e.g., titanium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, platinum, or other conductive, biocompatible, and biostable material. Further, the conductor blocks <NUM> can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, one or more conductor blocks <NUM> can include a weld tab <NUM> and a wire terminal <NUM> connected to the tab. The weld tab <NUM> is inserted into the opening <NUM> such that it is electrically connected to the conductive layer <NUM>. The weld tab <NUM> can take a shape and have dimensions that are complementary with the shape and dimensions of the opening <NUM> such that tab substantially fills a volume of the opening. In one or more embodiments, the weld tab <NUM> can fill less than the entire volume of the opening <NUM>, and any suitable material can be disposed in the opening to fill space within the opening that is not filled by the tab and provide mechanical support to the tab. For example, an adhesive can be disposed within the opening <NUM>, where the adhesive is adapted to connect the conductor block <NUM> to the conductive layer <NUM> and one or more walls of the opening <NUM> such that the weld tab <NUM> is mechanically connected to the opening and conductive layer <NUM> and electrically connected to the conductive layer. In one or more embodiments, the conductor block <NUM> can be connected to the second major surface <NUM> using any suitable technique or technique, e.g., an adhesive can be disposed between the conductor block and the second major surface of the substrate.

The wire terminal <NUM> of one or more of the conductor blocks <NUM> can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimension. In one or more embodiments, the wire terminal <NUM> is adapted to receive a wire or conductor, e.g., of a coil that is disposed within a housing of an implantable medical device as is further described herein. For example, the wire terminal <NUM> can include one or more slots <NUM> that extend through the wire terminal and are adapted to receive a wire or other conductor. In embodiments where the package <NUM> is utilized with a charging coil (e.g., coil <NUM> of <FIG>), the wire terminal <NUM> can be electrically connected to the coil such that current that is induced in the wire by an electromagnetic field can be directed into the wire terminal. Further, the wire terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the weld tab <NUM>. The current from the coil can, therefore, be directed from the wire terminal <NUM> to the weld tab <NUM> and subsequently to the conductive layer <NUM>. The wire terminal <NUM> can be integral with the weld tab <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the wire terminal <NUM> and weld tab <NUM> are manufactured separately and connected together using any suitable technique or techniques.

The package <NUM> further includes the one or more electronic devices <NUM> that can be disposed adjacent to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and electrically connected to the conductive layer <NUM>. As used herein, the phrase "adjacent to the first major surface" means that an element or component is disposed closer to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> than to the second major surface <NUM> of the substrate. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the electronic devices <NUM> can be disposed on the conductive layer <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, one or more additional conductive layers, contacts, or pads can be disposed between one or more of the electronic devices <NUM> and the conductive layer <NUM>. For example, conductive pads <NUM> (<FIG>) can be disposed between one or more of the electronic devices <NUM> and the conductive layer <NUM>. The conductive pads <NUM> can be electrically connected to one or more electronic devices <NUM> and the conductive layer <NUM>. Such conductive pads <NUM> can be disposed between one or more electronic devices <NUM> and the conductive layer <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques. Device contacts <NUM> (<FIG>) of electronic devices <NUM> can be electrically connected to the contact pads <NUM> of conductive layer <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques.

The package <NUM> can include any suitable number of electronic devices <NUM>. Further, the electronic devices <NUM> can include any suitable electronic device or component, e.g., capacitors, resistors, diodes, integrated circuits, controllers, processors, sensors (e.g., temperature sensor), batteries, etc. The package <NUM> can include any combination of electronic devices <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, two or more electronic devices <NUM> can be electrically connected by conductive layer <NUM> or other conductors.

In one or more embodiments, each of the electronic devices <NUM> can include one or more terminals that can be electrically connected to the conductive layer <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, each electronic device includes a first terminal <NUM> and a second terminal <NUM>. The first terminal <NUM> can be electrically connected to the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the conductive layer <NUM>, and the second terminal <NUM> of the device <NUM> can be electrically connected to the second portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the conductive layer. The first terminal <NUM> of the device <NUM> can be electrically connected to the first conductor block <NUM>-<NUM> via the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the conductive layer <NUM>, and the second terminal <NUM> can be electrically connected to second conductor block <NUM>-<NUM> via the second portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the conductive layer. Current can, therefore, flow from a coil connected to the conductor blocks <NUM> between the first terminal <NUM> and the second terminal <NUM> of at least one of the electronic devices <NUM>.

Disposed over the one or more electronic devices <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> is the cover <NUM>. The cover <NUM> can include any suitable material or materials. In one or more embodiments, the cover <NUM> is a nonconductive cover that includes one or more nonconductive material or materials, e.g., glass, sapphire, ceramic, or other, nonconductive, biocompatible, biostable material. Further, the cover <NUM> can be manufactured using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., molding, etching, laminating, bonding, laser-assisted bonding, co-fired ceramic sintering, hot forming of glass, etc..

The cover <NUM> can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, a recessed surface <NUM> of the cover <NUM> forms a cavity <NUM> of the cover. The cavity <NUM> can have any suitable dimensions. In one or more embodiments, the electronic devices <NUM> are disposed within the cavity <NUM> of the cover <NUM> when the cover is sealed to the substrate <NUM>.

The cover <NUM> can be sealed to the substrate <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., diffusion bonding, laser assisted diffusion bonding, adhering, mechanically connecting, brazing, welding of weld rings, etc. For example, any suitable diffusion bonding technique or techniques can be utilized to connect the cover <NUM> to the substrate <NUM>, e.g., the same diffusion bonding techniques described herein regarding bonding of the conductive layer <NUM> to the substrate <NUM>. A bond <NUM> (<FIG>) can be formed between an edge <NUM> of the cover <NUM> and the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the cover <NUM> is hermetically sealed to the substrate <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, an interfacial layer can be disposed between the cover <NUM> and the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> as is further described herein regarding the interfacial layer disposed between the conductive layer <NUM> and the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>.

Any suitable technique or techniques can be utilized to form the package <NUM> of <FIG>. For example, <FIG> are various perspective views of one embodiment of a method <NUM> of forming the package <NUM>. Although described in regard to package <NUM>, the method <NUM> can be utilized to form any suitable electronic package. In <FIG>, one or more openings <NUM> can be disposed through the nonconductive substrate <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., laser drilling. Any suitable number of openings <NUM> can be disposed through the substrate <NUM>. In a wafer-to-wafer bonding process, the openings <NUM> for a plurality of electronic packages <NUM> can be disposed through a nonconductive substrate wafer.

In <FIG>, the conductive layer <NUM> can be disposed adjacent to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and over the openings <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., vapor deposition. In one or more embodiments, the conductive layer <NUM> is disposed on the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>. The conductive layer <NUM> can be hermetically sealed to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> and over the openings <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., diffusion bonding. Further, in one or more embodiments, one or more conductive pads <NUM> can be disposed on the conductive layer <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques. In one or more embodiments, the conductive layer <NUM> can be patterned using any suitable technique or techniques.

As shown in <FIG>, the method <NUM> further includes disposing one or more conductor blocks <NUM> in the openings <NUM> such that the conductor blocks extend beyond the second major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>, where the conductor blocks are electrically connected to the conductive layer <NUM>. Any suitable technique or techniques can be utilized to dispose the conductor blocks <NUM> in the openings <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the weld tab <NUM> of each conductor block <NUM> can be inserted into the opening <NUM> such that the tab is electrically connected to the conductive layer <NUM>. The conductor blocks <NUM> are electrically connected to the conductive layer <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques. In one or more embodiments, the conductor blocks <NUM> are mechanically connected to the substrate <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., each conductor block can be mechanically connected to the walls of the opening <NUM> or to the second major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> with an adhesive.

In <FIG>, one or more electronic devices <NUM> can be disposed adjacent to the first major surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques. The electronic devices <NUM> can be electrically connected to the conductive layer <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., device contacts <NUM> can electrically connect the devices to the conductive layer. In one or more embodiments, the electronic devices <NUM> can, therefore, be electrically connected to the conductor blocks <NUM> via the conductive layer <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the nonconductive cover <NUM> can be disposed over the electronic devices <NUM> and the conductive layer <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques such that the electronic devices and conductive layer are disposed within the cavity <NUM> of the cover. In wafer-to-wafer bonding processes, a nonconductive cover wafer can be disposed over the electronic devices <NUM> and the conductive layer <NUM>. The cover <NUM> can also be sealed to the nonconductive substrate <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques (e.g., diffusion bonding) to form the electronic package <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the cover <NUM> is hermetically sealed to the nonconductive substrate <NUM>. For wafer processing, the nonconductive cover wafer can be hermetically sealed to the nonconductive substrate wafer, and the wafers can be singulated using any suitable technique or techniques to form a plurality of electronic packages <NUM>, e.g., mechanically sawing the nonconductive cover wafer and the nonconductive substrate wafer to form one or more electronic packages.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-section view of another embodiment of an electronic package <NUM>. All of the design considerations and possibilities described herein regarding the electronic package <NUM> of <FIG> apply equally to the electronic package <NUM> of <FIG>. One difference between package <NUM> of <FIG> and package <NUM> of <FIG> is that package <NUM> includes a second substrate <NUM> that faces substrate <NUM> and additional electronic devices <NUM> disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to conductive layer <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques. The second substrate <NUM> can include any suitable substrate, e.g., substrate <NUM> of <FIG>. The second substrate <NUM> can also include a conductive layer disposed on one or both of its major surfaces. The additional electronic devices <NUM> can include any suitable electronic devices, e.g., the same electronic devices described herein regarding electronic devices <NUM> of <FIG>. Electronic devices <NUM> are disposed between the substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. Further, one or more of the electronic devices <NUM> can be electrically connected to a conductive layer of the second substrate <NUM> and conductive layer <NUM> of substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM>, electronic devices <NUM>, second substrate <NUM>, and additional electronic devices <NUM> can be disposed within a cavity <NUM> of cover <NUM> that is defined by a recessed surface <NUM> of the cover. As with electronic package <NUM> of <FIG>, cover <NUM> can be hermetically sealed to substrate <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques.

Another embodiment of an electronic package <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. All of the design considerations and possibilities described herein regarding electronic package <NUM> of <FIG> and electronic package <NUM> of <FIG> apply equally to electronic package <NUM> of <FIG>. One difference between package <NUM> and packages <NUM> and <NUM> is that additional electronic devices <NUM> of package <NUM> can be disposed on conductive layer <NUM> or on a second substrate <NUM> that is disposed on the conductive layer. The additional electronic devices <NUM> can be disposed adjacent to a first major surface <NUM> of substrate <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the additional electronic devices <NUM> are not disposed over an opening disposed through the substrate <NUM>. To accommodate the electronic devices <NUM>, cavity <NUM> of housing <NUM> has a volume that allows for the additional electronic devices to be disposed within the cavity along with electronic devices <NUM>. Additional electronic devices <NUM> can be electrically connected to the conductive layer <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques, e.g., the same techniques described herein regarding electrical connection of electronic devices <NUM> to conductive layer <NUM> of package <NUM>. Further, additional electronic devices <NUM> can be electrically connected to devices <NUM> via the conductive layer <NUM> or one or more additional conductors disposed within the cavity <NUM>. The additional electronic devices <NUM> can include any suitable electronic devices. Further, the package <NUM> can include any suitable number of additional electronic devices <NUM>, e.g., the same electronic devices described herein regarding electronic devices <NUM> of <FIG>. Such additional electronic devices <NUM> may not be directly connected to conductor blocks <NUM> that are disposed within openings <NUM> of substrate <NUM>.

The various embodiments of electronic packages described herein can be utilized in any suitable device or system. For example, <FIG> is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of a device <NUM>. The device can be any suitable device <NUM>, e.g., an implantable medical device. Such implantable medical device can include any suitable implantable medical device, e.g., defibrillator, LVAD, neurostimulator, pacemaker, drug pump, etc. Further, the disclosed embodiments of implantable medical devices can be utilized with any suitable system or systems. For example, one or more embodiments of implantable medical devices can be utilized with a wireless energy transfer system, e.g., one or more of the systems described in <CIT>, entitled TRANSCUTANEOUS ENERGY TRANSFER SYSTEMS.

For example, the device <NUM> can be an implantable medical device that includes a housing <NUM> and electronic package <NUM> of <FIG> disposed within the housing. Although described in regard to package <NUM> of <FIG>, the device <NUM> can include any suitable electronic package. In one or more embodiments, one or more additional electronic components or devices <NUM> can be disposed within the housing <NUM>. Such additional components <NUM> can be electrically connected to the electronic package <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques. The housing <NUM> can include any suitable housing that can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. Further, the housing <NUM> can include any suitable material or materials, e.g., metallic material such as titanium and steel, polymeric materials such as polyurethane, inorganic materials such as ceramics, glass, or combinations thereof.

The device <NUM> can include any suitable device or devices. For example, <FIG> are various views of another embodiment of an implantable medical device <NUM>. The device <NUM> can be a part of a wireless energy transfer system that can also include an external component that can provide an electromagnetic field to the implantable medical device <NUM> such that electromagnetic energy can be transferred from the external component to the medical device <NUM> to provide energy to one or more electronic components are packages disposed within a housing <NUM> of the device or electrically connected to the device by cable <NUM>. The device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having a first major surface <NUM>, a second major surface of <NUM>, a sidewall <NUM> that extends between the first major surface and the second major surface, and a port <NUM> disposed in the sidewall. The device <NUM> also includes electronic package <NUM> of <FIG> disposed within the housing <NUM>. Although described in regard to package <NUM> of <FIG>, the device <NUM> can include any suitable electronic package described herein, e.g., package <NUM> of <FIG>. The cable <NUM> is electrically connected to the electronic package <NUM> and extends through the port <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> can take any suitable shape or shapes and have any suitable dimensions. Further, the housing <NUM> can include any suitable material or materials, e.g., silicone, ceramic, polyurethane, or metal. In one or more embodiments, the housing <NUM> includes a nonconductive matrix that encases the electronic package <NUM>. Any suitable material or materials can be utilized for the nonconductive matrix, e.g., polymers such as polyurethane, PEEK, silicone, polysulfone, epoxy, or any nonconductive, biocompatible, biostable material. In one or more embodiments, the housing <NUM> can further include a shell that surrounds the polymer matrix.

The first and second major surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the housing <NUM> can have any suitable dimensions and take any suitable shape or shapes. In one or more embodiments, at least one of the first major surface <NUM> or the second major surface <NUM> can take a planar shape. In one or more embodiments, at least one of the first major surface <NUM> or the second major surface <NUM> can take a curved shape.

The cable <NUM> can include any suitable material or materials, e.g., urethane, silicone, carbothane, MP35N, MP35N/silver core, etc. The cable <NUM> can include one or more conductors disposed within a protective sheath or covering. Such conductors can be electrically connected to the electronic device <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques. The cable <NUM> can include any suitable number of conductors. Further, the cable <NUM> can have any suitable dimensions. The cable <NUM> can also have any suitable cross-sectional shapes, e.g., elliptical, rectangular, etc..

Although depicted as being connected to a single electronic package <NUM>, the cable <NUM> can be connected to two or more electronic components disposed within the housing <NUM> of the device <NUM>. Further, the cable <NUM> can include a connector <NUM> electrically connected to cable end <NUM>. Such connector <NUM> can include any suitable connector that is adapted to connect the electronic package <NUM> disposed within the housing <NUM> to any suitable component or element, e.g., a pump.

The device <NUM> can also include a coil <NUM> disposed in any suitable location on or within the housing <NUM>. The coil <NUM> can include any suitable material or materials and take any suitable shape or shapes. Further, the coil <NUM> can have any suitable dimensions and include any desired number of windings. In one or more embodiments, the coil <NUM> can be electrically connected to at least one of the electronic package <NUM> or the cable <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques.

The coil <NUM> can be electrically connected to one or more conductor blocks <NUM> of the electronic package <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the wires of the coil <NUM> can be disposed within cleats <NUM> of conductor blocks <NUM> to provide electrical connections between electronic components <NUM> and the coil via conductor blocks <NUM>. Further, in one or more embodiments, the coil <NUM> can also be electrically connected to additional electronic devices <NUM> using any suitable technique or techniques. In general, current induced in the coil <NUM> by an electromagnetic field applied by an external component of an energy transfer system can charge electronic components <NUM> thereby storing energy within the package <NUM> or elsewhere within the body. Such energy can be utilized to provide power to additional electronic devices <NUM>.

The various embodiments of implantable medical devices described herein can be utilized with any suitable system. For example, <FIG> are schematic views of one embodiment of a wireless energy transfer system <NUM>. The system <NUM> includes the implantable medical device <NUM> of <FIG> and external components <NUM>. In <FIG>, the external components <NUM> of the system <NUM> are illustrated, and in <FIG>, the implantable medical device <NUM> of the system is illustrated as being implanted within a body <NUM> of a patient <NUM>. The external components <NUM> can include an external module <NUM> and a primary coil <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the primary coil <NUM> can be disposed in a separate housing <NUM> from the external module <NUM>. The external module <NUM> can be located in any suitable location relative to the patient's body <NUM>, e.g., around the patient's hip (e.g., in a pocket of the patient's clothing, mounted to a belt of the patient, etc.), and the primary coil <NUM> can be located in any suitable location relative to the patient's body <NUM>, e.g., on the patient's chest and secured in place by a garment worn by the patient, such as a sling or vest. The external module <NUM> and primary coil <NUM> are further connected to each other by a wire <NUM>. Also shown in <FIG> is a clinical monitor <NUM>, which can be worn, e.g., on the patient's wrist. In other examples, the clinical monitor <NUM> can be located elsewhere, such as in the external module, or in the patient's smartphone, or not on the patient altogether.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, an external battery, and external electronics (not shown) can be disposed in a housing <NUM> of the external module <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the external battery may be disposed in a separate housing (e.g., separately mounted to the outside of the patient) and wired to the external module <NUM>.

Although the system <NUM> includes electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the system can include any suitable electronic device or package described herein, e.g., electronic package <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the implantable medical device <NUM> can include the coil <NUM> (i.e., secondary coil <NUM>) disposed within the housing <NUM>, a pump <NUM>, and an electronic module <NUM> electrically connected to the housing and the pump. In one or more embodiments, each of the housing <NUM>, the pump <NUM>, and the electronic module <NUM> can be disposed in a separate housing and dispersed throughout the patient's body <NUM> to accommodate the anatomy of the patient. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> is mounted in the patient's chest. In one or more embodiments, the housing <NUM> can be mounted to the patient's rib, back, abdomen, or muscle in any subcutaneous plane.

The housing <NUM> is electrically connected to the electronic module <NUM> by the cable <NUM>, and the pump <NUM> is electrically connected to the electronics module <NUM> by a second cable <NUM>. The pump <NUM> can be connected, e.g., to a heart of the patient. Although not shown, the implantable medical device <NUM> can also include an implanted battery disposed in any suitable location within the patient's body <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the implanted battery is disposed within a housing <NUM> of the electronics module <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the implanted battery may be separately housed, and an additional wire may connect the electronics module <NUM> to the implanted battery.

The secondary coil <NUM> is disposed within the housing <NUM> of the implantable medical device <NUM> and is adapted to be electrically coupled to the primary coil <NUM>. For example, the secondary coil <NUM> can be adapted to be inductively coupled to the primary coil <NUM>. Positioning of the secondary coil <NUM> within the patient <NUM> can be done in such a manner that makes mounting the primary coil <NUM> in proximity to the secondary coil easy for the patient. For instance, the secondary coil <NUM> can be positioned close to the skin of the patient <NUM>. Moreover, the secondary coil <NUM> can be positioned close to a relatively flat part of the patient's body <NUM> to make mounting the primary coil <NUM> easier. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the secondary coil <NUM> disposed within the housing <NUM> is positioned close to the front of the patient's chest such that mounting the primary coil <NUM> to the patient's chest places the primary coil proximate the secondary coil. In those examples where the housing <NUM> is mounted to the patient's rib, back, or abdomen, the secondary coil <NUM> can similarly be located close to the patient's skin, such that the primary coil <NUM> can be mounted in close proximity.

Computer-readable media may include computer-readable storage media, which corresponds to a tangible medium such as data storage media (e.g., RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer).

Claim 1:
An electronic package (<NUM>) for a medical device comprising:
a nonconductive substrate (<NUM>) comprising a first major surface (<NUM>), a second major surface (<NUM>), and an opening (<NUM>) disposed through the substrate between the first major surface and the second major surface;
a conductive layer (<NUM>) hermetically sealed to the first major surface of the substrate and over the opening;
a conductor block (<NUM>) disposed in the opening and extending beyond the second major surface of the substrate, wherein the conductor block is electrically connected to the conductive layer;
an electronic device (<NUM>) disposed adjacent to the first major surface of the substrate and electrically connected to the conductive layer; and
a nonconductive cover (<NUM>) disposed over the electronic device and the nonconductive substrate and hermetically sealed to the substrate, wherein the electronic device is disposed within a cavity (<NUM>) of the cover.