Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research

Rockwell International Corporation

Gary D Schnittgrund

Guangqiang Jiang

Charles L Byers

Kate E Purnell

Joseph H Schulman

Attila Antalfy

Peter E Morgan

David L Canfield

Kate E Fey

Ralph M Weisner

Jiang Guangqiang

Antalfy Attila

An electronic filter circuit includes an electromechanical resonator that is mounted directly to the surface of a silicon integrated circuit, rather than being a surface mounted or leaded filter can on a circuit board. This filter circuit allows the integrated circuit electronic package to be significantly smaller than a conventional electromechanical resonator package. The electromechanical resonator may be protected during processing and during use with a protective cover that is made of a material such as titanium. The protective cover is attached to the integrated circuit chip.

Piezoelectric device mounted on integrated circuit chip

An electronics filter circuit includes an electromechanical resonator that is mounted directly to the surface of a silicon integrated circuit, rather than being a surface mounted or leaded filter can on a circuit board. This filter circuit allows the integrated circuit electronic package to be significantly smaller than a conventional electromechanical resonator package. The electromechanical resonator may be protected during processing and during use with a protective cover that is made of a material such as titanium. The protective cover is attached to the integrated circuit chip.

Method of forming an integrated circuit system

The invention is directed to an apparatus substantially eliminating destructive low-temperature, humidity-enhanced phase transformation of yttria-stabilized zirconia in general, as well as eliminating low-temperature degradation of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramic (Y-TZP). The martensitic-type phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic is accompanied by severe strength degradation in a moist environment at low-temperature, specifically at room temperature as well as at body temperature. This class of materials has been chosen as the packaging material for small implantable neural-muscular sensors and stimulators because of the high fracture toughness and high mechanical strength. This destructive phase transformation has been substantially eliminated, thus ensuring the safety of long-term implants, by subjecting the sintered components to post-machining hot isostatic pressing, such that the average grain size is less than about 0.5 microns.

Low temperature degradation resistant yttria stabilized zirconia

The invention is a method of making a hermetic via in a ceramic substrate that is comprised of noble metal powder in a glass-free paste that contains an admixture of a particulate phase of niobium pentoxide. The electrically conductive platinum provides excellent electrical conductivity while the niobium pentoxide phase prevents shrinkage of the paste during thermal processing and binds to both the ceramic and the noble metal particulates in the via, thus maintaining a hermetic seal around the via.

Method of forming hermetic vias utilizing metal-metal oxides

The invention is a hermetic via in a ceramic substrate that is comprised of noble metal powder in a glass-free paste that contains an admixture of a particulate phase of niobium pentoxide. The electrically conductive platinum provides excellent electrical conductivity while the niobium pentoxide phase prevents shrinkage of the paste during thermal processing and binds to both the ceramic and the noble metal particulates in the via, thus maintaining a hermetic seal around the via.

Hermetic vias utilizing metal-metal oxides

The invention is directed to a material and a method of substantially eliminating destructive low-temperature, humidity-enhanced phase transformation of yttria-stabilized zirconia in general, as well as eliminating low-temperature degradation of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramic (Y-TZP). The martensitic-type phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic is accompanied by severe strength degradation in a moist environment at low-temperature, specifically at room temperature as well as at body temperature. This class of materials has been chosen as the packaging material for small implantable neural-muscular sensors and stimulators because of the high fracture toughness and high mechanical strength. This destructive phase transformation has been substantially eliminated, thus ensuring the safety of long-term implants, by subjecting the sintered components to post-machining hot isostatic pressing, such that the average grain size is less than about 0.5 microns.

Material and method of forming yttria-stabilized zirconia to minimize low-temperature degradation

A method of bonding a ceramic part to a metal part by heating a component assembly including the metal part, the ceramic part, and a thin essentially pure interlayer material placed between the two parts heated at a temperature that is greater than the temperature of the eutectic formed between the metal part and the interlayer material, but that is less than the melting point of the interlayer material, the ceramic part or the metal part is disclosed. The component assembly is held in intimate contact at temperature in a non-reactive atmosphere for a sufficient time to develop a hermetic and strong bond between the ceramic part and the metal part. The bonded assembly is optionally treated with acid to remove any residual free nickel and nickel salts to assure a biocompatible assembly for implantation in living tissue.

Manufacturing method for a ceramic to metal seal

A method of bonding a stainless steel part to a titanium part by heating a component assembly comprised of the titanium part, the stainless steel part, and a compact titanium-nickel filler material placed between the two parts and heated at a temperature that is less than the melting point of either the stainless steel part or the titanium part. The compact filler material is made of particles, preferably spheres, of discrete layers of nickel and titanium metal that react with each other and with the stainless and titanium parts to form a strong assembly when thermally processed. The component assembly is held in intimate contact at temperature in a non-reactive atmosphere for a sufficient time to develop a hermetic and strong bond between the stainless steel part and the titanium part.

Brazing titanium to stainless steel using layered particulate

The invention is a method of bonding a ceramic part () to a metal part () by heating a component assembly () comprised of the metal part (), the ceramic part (), and a thin laminated interlayer material () placed between the two parts and heated at a temperature that is greater than the temperature of the eutectic formed within the laminated interlayer material () or between the metal part () and the laminated interlayer material (), but that is less than the melting point of the ceramic part () or of the metal part (). The component assembly () is held in intimate contact at temperature in a non-reactive atmosphere for a sufficient time to develop a strong bond between the ceramic part () and the metal part (). The compact interlayer material () may be further comprised of two or more sets of metal alloy spheres () each having distinct compositions. Further, the compact interlayer material (') may be formed of composite spheres () that are each comprised of laminant layers () where each laminant layer has a distinct composition.

Layered sphere braze material

The invention is a method of qualifying an implantable ceramic component made of high-purity dense yttria tetragonal zirconium oxide polycrystal (Y-TZP) by application of non-destructive tests. Specifically, a qualified Y-TZP ceramic component or witness sample is examined by X-ray diffraction to determine the initial monoclinic phase content. The component or witness sample is exposed to steam at 127&#xb0; C. for a predetermined period of time, preferably six hours. The monoclinic phase content is determined for the post-exposure sample. The absolute difference between the initial monoclinic phase content and the post-exposure monoclinic phase content is calculated by difference. If the difference is less than 2.1% the sample is accepted. In an alternate embodiment, the components that pass the screening test are examined by ultrasonic testing to evaluate soundness of the ceramic component. Any component that presents a flaw of greater than three microns is rejected.

Non-destructive method of predicting performance of ceramic components

The invention is a method of bonding a ceramic part to a metal part by heating a component assembly comprised of the metal part, the ceramic part, and a compatible interlayer material such as titanium-nickel alloy placed between the two parts and heated at a temperature that is greater than the eutectic temperature of the interlayer material, where alloys, intermetallics or solid solution formed between the metal part and the metal interlayer material, but that is less than the melting point of either the ceramic part or the metal part. The component assembly is held in intimate contact at temperature in a non-reactive atmosphere for a sufficient time to develop a hermetic and strong bond between the ceramic part and the metal part. The bonded component assembly is optionally treated with acid to remove unwanted materials, to assure a biocompatible component assembly for implantation in living tissue.

Ceramic to noble metal braze and method of manufacture

The invention is a method of bonding a ceramic part to a metal part by heating a component assembly comprised of the metal part, the ceramic part, and a very thin essentially pure interlayer material of a compatible interlayer material placed between the two parts and heated at a temperature that is greater than the temperature of the eutectic formed between the metal part and the metal interlayer material, but that is less than the melting point of either the interlayer material, the ceramic part or the metal part. The component assembly is held in intimate contact at temperature in a non-reactive atmosphere for a sufficient time to develop a hermetic and strong bond between the ceramic part and the metal part. The bonded component assembly is optionally treated with acid to remove any residual free nickel and nickel salts, to assure a biocompatible component assembly for implantation in living tissue.

A connector () and method of making electrical connection between an electrical conductor () and a removable electrical device (). The connector () is an elastic material, such as silicone, that is both compatible with the environment and is an electrical insulator. It forces contact between the electrical device () and integral contacts () in the connector () by virtue of its elasticity. The electrodes () and the electrical connections are protected from the environment to avoid electrical leakage or corrosion of the electrodes ().

Electrical device connector and method therefor

An implantable miniature eyelid electrode apparatus that causes a paralyzed eyelid to close or open by passing an electrical stimulating current to a nerve or muscle, is comprised of a longitudinally flexible, nonconductive body containing electrodes that pass an electrical signal to the nearby nerve or muscle, which closes or opens the eyelid. The apparatus is electrically actuated by a source that may be located remotely from the apparatus. The electrical signal passes along wires from the source to the apparatus. The apparatus is biocompatible with the environment in the living tissue and is electrically insulated from the surrounding tissue, except where the electrodes contact the living tissue. The apparatus is very small and is not obvious to visual inspection when implanted.

Growing community of inventors

Granada Hills, CA, United States of America

Gary D Schnittgrund