POLYMER-METAL FOIL STRUCTURE FOR NEURAL STIMULATING ELECTRODES

摘要

A neural stimulating electrode structure includes a sheet of metal foil (18) having portions defining holes (19). The holes form patterns allowing the metal foil to flex without buckling when subjected to compressive forces. The holes also define discrete electrodes on the metal foil when the foil is cut. A first polymeric base layer (14) covers a first face of the metal foil. A second polymeric base layer (14) covers a second face of the metal foil. The first and second polymeric base layers fill the holes in the metal foil. A third polymeric base layer covers both the first and second polymeric base layers. The third polymeric base layer has portions defining pairs of holes (28). Each pair of holes is associated with one of the discrete electrodes. Each hole exposes a different portion of the discrete electrode for contacting tissue, passing current and/or measuring voltage.