Integrated LTCC packaging for use in biomedical devices

As implantable devices gain more widespread use, medical device manufacturers are constantly looking for novel materials that increase and improve capability and functionality. The packaging needs to be biocompatible, but it is also highly desirable for it to be radio transparent to facilitate wireless telemetry and remote powering. Low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) provide a viable solution that meets these desired specifications while also having characteristics that support ease of manufacturing such as the ability for molding, shaping, and even embedding components within the material. In this work, inductor coils used for wireless telemetry and powering are integrated into the walls of the LTCC-based package to maximize the size of the passive component while optimizing the miniaturization of the implant. The package designed and fabricated in this work consisted of inductors approximating 20 mH with a quality factor of 7.8 at 2 MHz. When compared to similar devices in the literature the LTCC inductor out performed these devices when a power-link figure of merit is used for comparison.