Radio transparent sensor implant package

Biocompatibility is an essential aspect of the medical device industry. Biocompatibility testing ensures that devices do not contain materials or substances that could be harmful to patients during initial use or over the course of time. Biocompatibility tests can be used to detect many possible negative side effects of a product on patient. These may include effects on cells and physiological systems, tissue irritation and inflammation, immunological and allergic reactions and the possibility of cellular mutations leading to cancer. Email:marketing@medicilon.com.cn Web:www.medicilon.com

A system is provided for the packaging of wireless electronics in a mammalian body, the system comprising: a package configured in a shape suitable for impantation in that body; the package being configured from a biocompatible material; and that biocompatible material having a high degree of radio wave transparency.

Novel packaging capabilities targeted at reducing the size and increasing reliability are required for the advancement of biomedical implants. Biocompatible metals, used for chronic implants, and epoxies, used for short-term applications, are the two most common materials used in the packaging of biological implants.

Current biocompatible packaging materials all have limitations for implantable use. Epoxies and metals are the most commonly used materials because of their availability and ease of use. The major drawback of epoxy is that it can only be used for acute research due to the quick degradation of its polymer backbone which exposes the implant to the surrounding tissue. Chronic implantation requires an alternative material with long term reliability. Biocompatible metals which are commonly used for encasing implants hinder wireless telemetry because the casing creates a faraday cage. Wireless capabilities are compulsory because of aesthetics, comfort, and most importantly, reduced risk of infection. A novel set of packaging materials that enables wireless transmission of data and can be chronically implanted could provide tremendous advantages to existing and future biomedical technology.

Current microelectronic techniques are advancing everyday communication devices. From cell phones to radios, microelectronics offers the ability to make these portable devices more powerful, reliable, and smaller. These technological advancements need to be transitioned into biomedical devices. In some non-biomedical applications Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) is used to achieve compact size and improved performance. These LTCC materials allow for the building of components, resistors, capacitors, and inductors, that when assembled on successive layers, and then combining those layers together, create a single product. Therefore smaller packages are created, removing commonly used off the shelf components. LTCC is not the only material that enables these new, smaller implantable devices. Silicon and Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) each enable the formation of conductive traces created on its surface. Utilization of such materials in implantable devices, could make these devices smaller and more efficient, minimizing trauma during surgery and producing better post-operative performance. Methods for such utilization have not been employed.

Among the challenges associated with utilizing such technologies in implantable devices, is the requirement that packages comprising such new materials will be required to pass standard biocompatibility testing, such as long-term implant and cytotoxicity testing. What is needed, therefore, are techniques for constructing an biocompatible, radio transparent package.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for the packaging of wireless electronics and sensors in a mammalian body, the system comprising: a package configured in a shape suitable for implantation in the body; the package being configured from a biocompatible material; and the biocompatible material having a high degree of radio wave transparency.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the biocompatible material is selected from the group of biocompatible materials consisting of liquid crystal polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate), low temperature co-fired ceramic, anisotropic conductive adhesive, silicon and combinations of thereof.