Patent ID: 8821793

Claim:
A sensing apparatus comprising: a substrate composed of alumina and having a first side for a sensing element that is configured to be exposed to a biological material and a second side for electronics; a via comprising a linear hollow path formed from the first side of the substrate to the second side of the substrate and filled with an electrically conductive material for electrically coupling the sensing element on the first side of the substrate to the electronics on the second side of the substrate; a conductive layer having a portion over the via on the first side of the substrate and in electrical communication with the electrically conductive material in the via; and a cap placed on the first side of the substrate over and in contact with the portion of the conductive layer, the cap sealing the via against exposure to the biological material; wherein the via is hermetically sealed from the first side of the substrate to the second side of the substrate; wherein the second side is covered with a lid and wherein the lid is made of gold.