Zirconia to Ti-6Al-4V braze joint for implantable biomedical device.
A strong, hermetic, reliable, and biocompatible ceramic-to-metal seal is essential for many implantable medical devices. Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZPs) and a titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V were selected as the ceramic and metal components of the seal because both materials have excellent mechanical properties and favorable biocompatibility. A brazing method using titanium nickel (TiNi)-clad braze filler material is presented to bond the components together forming a seal. Laboratory tests show that the ceramic-to-metal seal is hermetic, strong, and resistant to electrochemical corrosion. Twenty-eight microstimulators utilizing the ceramic-to-metal seals were implanted in seven sheep to stimulate the hypoglossal nerve. When the tissue was evaluated by gross inspection at necropsy and examined histologically by a pathologist, there were no signs of local hemorrhage, infection, or hypoglossal nerve tissue damage.
Jiang
Guangqiang
G
Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA. jiang@aemf.org
Mishler
Delta
D
Davis
Ross
R
Mobley
Jon Phil
JP
Schulman
Joseph H
JH
D000497:Alloys; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000592:standards; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007002:Hypoglossal Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D020007:Implants, Experimental / Q000592:standards*; D008422:Materials Testing; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012756:Sheep; D014025:Titanium; D015019:Yttrium; D015040:Zirconium
D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C499362:yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia; D003776:Dental Porcelain; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D015019:Yttrium; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium