Patent ID: 7868383

Claim:
An integrated circuit (IC) device comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of device layers disposed one on top of another, the device layers comprising a base layer, one more alternating metal and dielectric layers, and a top layer; a transistor formed in the base layer and having a gate; a first contact formed in the top layer to receive a first supply voltage; a second contact formed in the top layer to receive a second supply voltage; a first continuity stack coupled between the gate of the transistor and the first contact and extending through the device layers, wherein the first continuity stack comprises a series connection of first continuity elements each formed in a corresponding one of the device layers; and a second continuity stack coupled between the gate of the transistor and the second contact and extending through the device layers, wherein the second continuity stack comprises a series connection of second continuity elements each formed in a corresponding one of the device layers, and wherein the first and second continuity elements comprise connectivity structures.