MEDICAL IMPLANT WITH SELF ASSEMBLED MONOLAYER COATING ON ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE REGIONS INHIBITING ATTACHMENT OF IMPEDANCE INDUCING MATERIALS

摘要

Described is a medical implant having an electrically conductive region for stimulating tissue of a user or implantee. The electrically conductive region is coated with a self assembled monolayer (SAM) which at least inhibits the attachment of impedance-inducing material such as protein, cells or fibrous tissue, to the electrically conductive region. This reduces the likelihood of impedance increases or fluctuations resulting from the attachment of these impedance-inducing materials and thereby reduces the energy consumption of the medical implant. In one embodiment, the medical implant is a cochlear implant.