Biomedical device including encapsulation

Abstract

A biomedical device including an energy source, an electro-active device operatively connected to the energy source, circuitry configured to control operation of the electro-active device, at least one barrier layer including at least one inorganic material surrounding the energy source, electro-active device and circuitry, and at least one molded layer surrounding the at least one barrier layer. A method for encapsulating electronic components of an electro-active biomedical device in a protective envelope containing a barrier layer including at least one inorganic compound, and a molded polymer overcoat.

1 . A method for encapsulating electronic components of an electro-active biomedical device in a protective envelope, the method comprising:
 applying a barrier layer comprising at least one inorganic compound surrounding the electro-active biomedical device; and   surrounding the barrier layer with a molded polymer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inorganic compound comprises at least one of Al 2 O 3 , TiO 2 , Ta 2 O 5 , Nb 2 O 5 , HfO 2 , ZrO 2 , SiO 2 , ZnO, MgO, Ga 2 O 3 , La 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 , Yb 2 O 3 , Sc 2 O 3 , Er 2 O 3 , V 2 O 5 , CeO 2 , CaO, or CuO. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying a conformal coating between the barrier layer and the electronic components.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying a conformal coating between the barrier layer and the molded polymer layer.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 applying a coating layer over molded polymer layer.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming an embedment surrounding the molded polymer layer.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the electro-active biomedical device is a contact lens and the electronic components comprise a liquid crystal variable optic. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the molded polymer layer is hydrophilic. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the molded polymer layer comprises at least one of acrylics, amides, imides, carbonates, dienes, esters, ethers, fluorocarbons, olefins, styrenes, vinyl acetals, vinyl and vinylidene chlorides, vinyl esters, vinyl ethers and ketones, vinylpyridine, and vinypyrrolidone polymers. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the molded polymer layer comprises at least one of Epotek 301, Epotek 301-2, Nusil Med 10-6010, Epotek OG 603, Epotek OG 12-95, Epotek OG 12-112, Norland optical adhesives 61, Norland optical adhesives 68, Norland optical adhesives 86, Momentive UV LSR 2060, Momentive LSR 7070, Momentive RTV 615, paralyne and combinations thereof.