Patent ID: 8200338

Claim:
A flexible circuit electrode array adapted to be used with a visual prosthesis, comprising: a) an insulating polymer layer comprising a top polymer portion and a bottom polymer portion; b) at least one trace containing a base conducting layer, an intermediate conducting layer and a top conducting layer, embedded in said insulating polymer layer between said top polymer portion and said bottom polymer portion; and c) at least one electrode connected to said at least one trace through a via in said top polymer portion of said insulating polymer layer, wherein said electrode includes a first electrode portion contacting said trace through said via and a second electrode portion overlapping said trace above said top polymer portion, and wherein a region of said top polymer portion is defined between said trace and said second electrode portion, wherein the first electrode portion is a central electrode portion contacting a corresponding central portion of the trace and the second electrode portion is a peripheral annular-shaped portion overlapping a corresponding peripheral annular-shaped of the trace above said top polymer portion.