Package for an implantable neural stimulation device
The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device comprises an electrically non-conductive substrate; a plurality of electrically conductive vias through said electrically non-conductive substrate; a flip-chip circuit attached to said electrically non-conductive substrate using conductive bumps and electrically connected to a first subset of said plurality of electrically conductive vias, wherein said flip-chip circuit contains one or more stacks or a folded stack; a wire bonded circuit attached to said electrically non-conductive substrate and electrically connected to a second subset of said electrically conductive vias; and a cover bonded to said electrically non-conductive substrate, said cover, said electrically non-conductive substrate and said electrically conductive vias forming a hermetic package.
1. An implantable device, comprising:
a rigid planar substrate having an electrically non-conductive portion;
a plurality of electrically conductive vias through said electrically non-conductive portion, said vias and electrically non-conductive portion forming said rigid substrate;
a flex substrate attached to said rigid substrate, and electrically connected to at least one of said plurality of electrically conductive vias;
a flip-chip demux attached to said flex substrate;
a second circuit attached to said flex substrate, including discrete passives, the flex substrate folded to vertically stack said flip-chip circuit, and said second circuit;
a ring bonded to said planar rigid substrate; and
a cover laser welded to said ring, said ring, said cover and said rigid substrate forming a hermetic package
further comprising a lip between said cover and said ring.
2. The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive vias are a metallic and ceramic paste co-fired with said electrically non-conductive portion to form a hermetic seal.
3. The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein said ring is brazed to said rigid substrate.
4. The implantable device according to claim 1 , further comprising metal traces on said rigid substrate.
5. The implantable device according to claim 4 , wherein said metal traces are chosen to withstand braze temperatures.
6. The implantable device according to claim 5 , wherein said metal traces comprise one or more of the metals titanium, tantalum, gold, palladium, platinum or layers or alloys thereof.
7. The implantable device according to claim 1 further comprising a flexible circuit bump bonded to said rigid substrate.
8. The implantable device according to claim 1 , further comprising metal traces deposited on said rigid substrate and in contact with said electrically conductive vias; and a flexible circuit attached to said metal traces.
9. The implantable device according to claim 8 , wherein said flexible circuit is an electrode array suitable for stimulating tissue.
10. The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive bumps contain at least one conductive polymer.
11. The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive bumps contain at least one conductive epoxy or polyimide.
12. The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein said conductive bumps are filled with one or more metals from the group including silver, platinum, iridium, titanium, platinum alloys, iridium alloys, or titanium alloys or mixtures thereof.
13. The implantable device according to claim 12 , wherein said metals or metal alloys are in dust, flake or powder form.
14. The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein said implantable device contains two or more integrated circuits.
15. The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one element of said second circuit is wire bonded.
16. The implantable device according to claim 15 , wherein said at least one element of said second circuit is wire bonded to said rigid substrate.
17. The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein said second circuit comprises an integrated circuit.
18. The implantable device according to claim 17 , wherein said integrated circuit is flip-chip bonded to said flex substrate.
19. The implantable device according to claim 1 , wherein said flex substrate is folded over said flip-chip circuit.
20. A method of making an implantable device comprising:
providing a planar ceramic containing non-conductive substrate defining a plurality of vias;
filling said vias with a metal containing ceramic paste;
firing said planar ceramic containing non-conductive substrate forming a rigid substrate;
brazing a metallic ring to said rigid substrate;
bump bonding a flex substrate on a first side to said rigid substrate electrically connecting said flex substrate to said vias;
flip chip bonding a demux circuit to a second side of said flex substrate;
bonding a second circuit to said second side of said flex substrate
bonding a third circuit to said second side of said flex substrate; and
folding said flex substrate to vertically stack said flip-chip circuit, said second circuit and said third circuit;
providing a lip between said ring and said cover;
welding a metallic top to said metallic ring;
wherein at least one of said second circuit and said third circuit includes discrete passives.