Patent ID: 7701070

Claim:
An integrated circuit device comprising: a substrate having active devices extending to an end of the substrate; a plurality of metal layers formed over the substrate, the plurality of metal layers being separated by insulating layers; a plurality of vias enabling connections from the plurality of metal layers to the active devices of the substrate; a contact pad support structure defining an opening in at least one metal layer of the plurality of metal layers and being coupled to an interconnect line, the contact pad support structure supporting insulating material comprising a plurality of insulating layers between a first metal layer above the at least one metal layer and a second metal layer below the at least one metal layer; an insulating layer on the first metal layer and extending continuously over the opening of the contact pad support structure; a contact pad formed on the end of the substrate having active devices and over the insulating layer on the first metal layer and the contact pad support structure and having an exposed portion for receiving a wire bond, the second metal layer extending continuously under the opening, wherein the contact pad support structure creates a uniform insulating layer under the exposed portion for receiving the wire bond and within the opening between the first metal layer and the second metal layer and wherein the insulating layer on the first metal layer extends continuously and had no vias over the opening of the contact pad support structure, and the plurality of insulating layers between the first metal layer and the second metal layer reduce the risk of damage to active devices of the substrate under the contact pad.