阅读说明：本技术 线阵列和包括所述线阵列的生物可植入装置 (Wire array and bioimplantable device comprising same ) 是由 旼奎植 于 2020-04-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：提出了一种电线阵列,其包括：衬底部分；以及多个电线单元,其布置在所述衬底部分之上并且在厚度方向上彼此上下堆叠,其中所述多个电线单元各自包括：多根电线,其以在长度方向上延伸的方式布置在所述衬底部分之上；以及多个电极孔,其分别定位于所述多根电线的相应第一端部处并且被暴露,其中所述多个电极孔以沿着所述长度方向彼此分开一段距离定位的方式布置并沿着所述厚度方向以彼此相继的方式依序布置,并且其中所述厚度方向是从所述衬底部分到所述电线单元的方向,并且所述长度方向是垂直于所述厚度方向的方向。(It is presented a wire array comprising: a substrate portion; and a plurality of electric wire units arranged above the substrate portion and stacked on top of each other in a thickness direction, wherein each of the plurality of electric wire units includes: a plurality of electric wires arranged over the substrate portion in a manner extending in a length direction; and a plurality of electrode holes which are respectively positioned at the respective first ends of the plurality of electric wires and are exposed, wherein the plurality of electrode holes are arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance from each other along the length direction and are sequentially arranged in a manner as to be successive to each other along the thickness direction, and wherein the thickness direction is a direction from the substrate portion to the electric wire unit, and the length direction is a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.)

1. An array of electrical wires, comprising:

a substrate portion; and

a plurality of electric wire units arranged above the substrate portion and stacked on top of each other in a thickness direction,

wherein the plurality of wire units each include:

a plurality of electric wires arranged over the substrate portion in a manner extending in a length direction; and

a plurality of electrode holes respectively positioned at respective first ends of the plurality of electric wires and exposed,

wherein the plurality of electrode holes are arranged in such a manner as to be located at a distance from each other along the length direction and are sequentially arranged in a manner of being successive to each other along the thickness direction, and

wherein the thickness direction is a direction from the substrate portion to the electric wire unit, and the length direction is a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.

2. The electrical wire array of claim 1, wherein an overall width of the first end of the plurality of electrical wires is less than an overall width of the second end of the plurality of electrical wires.

3. The electrical wire array of claim 2, wherein the segment of the plurality of electrical wires having the greatest width is positioned closer to the second end relative to the first end.

4. The electrical wire array as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the plurality of wire units include:

a first wire unit; and

a second wire unit disposed over the first wire unit,

wherein the first wire unit includes a plurality of first wires respectively having a plurality of first electrode holes, and

wherein the second wire unit includes a plurality of second wires respectively having a plurality of second electrode holes.

5. The electric wire array according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of first electrode holes overlap in the length direction, and the plurality of second electrode holes overlap in the length direction.

6. The electrical wire array of claim 4, wherein the first plurality of electrical wires are arranged positioned a distance apart from each other and the second plurality of electrical wires are arranged positioned a distance apart from each other.

7. The electrical wire array of claim 1, wherein an overall thickness of the first end portions of the plurality of electrical wires is less than an overall thickness of the second end portions of the plurality of electrical wires.

8. The electrical wire array according to claim 7,

wherein the plurality of wires includes:

a first thickness section having a maximum thickness; and

a second thickness section other than the first thickness section,

wherein a length of the first thickness section is greater than a length of the second thickness section.

9. The electrical wire array as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the plurality of wires comprise

The (1-1) th electric wire; and

a (1-2) th electric wire having a smaller length in the length direction than the (1-1) th electric wire,

wherein the (1-1) th wire comprises a (1-1) th electrode hole, and the (1-2) th wire comprises a (1-2) th electrode hole,

wherein the (1-1) th electric wire includes a protruding portion between the (1-1) th electrode hole and the (1-2) th electrode hole, the protruding portion protruding in the thickness direction or the width direction, and

wherein the width direction is a direction perpendicular to the length direction and the thickness direction.

10. An implantable device, comprising:

a body portion; and

an array of wires electrically connected to the body portion,

wherein the array of wires comprises:

a substrate portion; and

a plurality of electric wire units arranged above the substrate portion and stacked on top of each other in a thickness direction,

wherein the plurality of wire units each include:

a plurality of electric wires arranged over the substrate portion in a manner extending in a length direction; and

a plurality of electrode holes respectively positioned at respective first ends of the plurality of electric wires and exposed,

wherein the plurality of electrode holes are arranged in a manner positioned at a distance from each other along the length direction and are sequentially arranged in a manner successive to each other along the thickness direction,

wherein the body portion comprises:

pad portions electrically connected to the plurality of wire units, respectively; and

circuit units including terminals electrically connected to the pad portions, respectively, and

wherein the thickness direction is a direction from the substrate portion to the electric wire unit, and the length direction is a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.

Technical Field

Embodiments relate to a wire and a device implantable in a living body, the device including the wire array.

Background

Structures worn on or implanted in a living body to convert biochemical reactions and biological signals into electrical signals and then collect results or apply electrical signals for stimulation of the living body to nerve tissue are collectively referred to as implantable devices. Devices equipped with a micro-wire array that can be implanted into a living body are also referred to as micro-wire array packages.

A device implantable in a living body, such as a stimulator implantable in a living body, a detector implantable in a living body, a cardiac pacemaker, a neural prosthesis, or a neural modulation device, comes into play after at least a portion thereof is implanted in the living body (i.e., inserted into the living body). Therefore, the sealing state of the implantable device is very important. In the case of a poorly sealed state of the implantable device, body fluids may leak into the electronic circuits present within the implantable device. Such leakage can cause various problems, such as failure or malfunction of the implantable device and reduced life span.

Further, the micro-wire array package may have a plurality of electrodes that function in various ways to transmit and receive various biological signals. In this case, the plurality of electrodes may be connected to the internal electronic circuit through a plurality of wires.

Therefore, there arises a problem that the resistance of the electric wire and the size thereof increase according to the respective positions of the plurality of electrodes.

Disclosure of Invention

[ problem ] to

It is an object of an embodiment to provide an array of wires in which the wires are optimally positioned within a pad portion, and an implantable device equipped with the same.

Further, it is another object to provide a wire array having improved electrical characteristics and an implantable device equipped with the wire array.

Further, it is another object to provide a wire array having improved structural characteristics and an implantable device equipped with the wire array.

Other problems to be solved and other objects and advantageous effects will be derived from the technical solutions and embodiments to the problems, which will be described below.

[ solution ]

According to one embodiment, there is provided a wire array including: a substrate portion; and a plurality of electric wire units arranged over the substrate portion and stacked on top of each other in a thickness direction, wherein each of the plurality of electric wire units includes: a plurality of electric wires arranged over the substrate portion in a manner extending in a length direction; and a plurality of electrode holes respectively positioned at the respective first ends of the plurality of electric wires and exposed, wherein the plurality of electrode holes are arranged in such a manner as to be positioned apart from each other by a distance along a length direction and are sequentially arranged in a manner of being successive to each other along a thickness direction, and wherein the thickness direction is a direction from the substrate portion to the electric wire unit, and the length direction is a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.

In the wire array, an overall thickness of the first end portions of the plurality of wires may be less than an overall thickness of the second end portions of the plurality of wires.

In the wire array, a maximum width of the plurality of wires may be positioned closer to the second end relative to the first end.

In the wire array, the plurality of wire units may include: a first wire unit; and a second wire unit disposed over the first wire unit, the first wire unit may include a plurality of first wires respectively having a plurality of first electrode holes, and the second wire unit may include a plurality of second wires respectively having a plurality of second electrode holes.

In the electric wire array, the plurality of first electrode holes may overlap in a length direction, and the plurality of second electrode holes may overlap in the length direction.

In the electric wire array, the plurality of first electric wires may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance from each other, and the plurality of second electric wires may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance from each other.

In the wire array, an overall thickness of the first end portions of the plurality of wires may be less than an overall thickness of the second end portions of the plurality of wires.

In the electric wire array, the plurality of electric wires may include: a first thickness section having a maximum thickness; and a second thickness section other than the first thickness section, and a length of the first thickness section may be greater than a length of the second thickness section.

In a wire array, the electrode wells can collect biological signals.

According to one embodiment, there is provided an implantable device comprising: a body portion; and an array of wires electrically connected to the body portion, wherein the array of wires comprises: a substrate portion; and a plurality of electric wire units arranged over the substrate portion and stacked on top of each other in a thickness direction, wherein each of the plurality of electric wire units includes: a plurality of electric wires arranged over the substrate portion in a manner extending in a length direction; and a plurality of electrode holes respectively positioned at the respective first ends of the plurality of electric wires and exposed, wherein the plurality of electrode holes are arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance from each other along a length direction and are sequentially arranged in a manner of being successive to each other along a thickness direction, wherein the main body portion includes: pad portions electrically connected to the plurality of wire units, respectively; and a circuit unit including terminals electrically connected to the pad portions, respectively, and wherein the thickness direction is a direction from the substrate portion to the wire unit, and the length direction is a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.

[ advantageous effects ]

According to embodiments, an array of wires and an implantable device equipped with the array of wires can be achieved in which the wires are optimally positioned.

Furthermore, an array of wires having improved electrical characteristics and an implantable device equipped with the array of wires can be manufactured.

Furthermore, an array of wires having improved structural properties and an implantable device equipped with the array of wires.

Various useful advantages and effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above and will be more readily understood from the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an implantable device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an implantable device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a top view illustrating an implantable device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a bottom view illustrating an implantable device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a view showing electric wires in the electric wire array according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion a in fig. 5;

fig. 7 is a plan view showing each electric wire in the electric wire array according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing a portion B in fig. 7;

fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing a portion C in fig. 7;

fig. 10 is a side view of wires within a wire array according to a first embodiment of the invention;

fig. 11 is a view showing electric wires in an electric wire unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a plan view showing each electric wire in the electric wire array according to the second embodiment;

fig. 13 is an enlarged view showing a portion D in fig. 12; and

fig. 14 is a view showing electric wires in the electric wire array according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Various modifications may be made to the invention and thus various embodiments thereof may be realized. Thus, specific embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention thereto. All modifications, equivalents and alternatives included within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention should be understood as falling within the scope of the present invention.

The terms "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various elements without imposing any limitation on the meaning thereof. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first constituent element may be expressed as a second constituent element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the same manner, the second constituent element may also be expressed as the first constituent element. The phrase "and/or" is used to connect two words, phrases or sentences or to refer to one of the two words, phrases or sentences.

It should be understood that when a constituent element is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to a different constituent element, this means that the constituent element may be directly coupled or directly connected to the different constituent element, or that an intermediate constituent element may be present therebetween. On the contrary, it is to be understood that when constituent elements are referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to different constituent elements, it means that there are no intermediate constituent elements between them.

The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The indefinite article "a" or "an" is used to indicate one or more than one, rather than just one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprising," "having," and the like, in this application, are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components, or combinations of these described in the specification, and therefore should be understood as not excluding the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components, or combinations of these, will be present or added in advance.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms commonly used as defined in dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as interpreted in the context of the related art and will not be interpreted as having an ideal meaning or an excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined otherwise in the specification.

The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like constituent elements or corresponding constituent elements are given like reference numerals, and only one of the like constituent elements or corresponding constituent elements is described.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an implantable device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an implantable device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a top view illustrating an implantable device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a bottom view illustrating an implantable device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, an implantable device 10 according to a first embodiment may include a body 100 and a wire array 200.

Specifically, the body 100 may include a base portion 110, a combining portion 120, a through pin 130, and a circuit unit 140. The base portion 110 is arranged in such a manner as to constitute a lower portion of the body 100. The combining portion 120 is disposed above the base portion 110. The through pins 130 connect the combining part 120 and the base part 110 to each other. The circuit unit 140 is disposed within the main body 100.

The base portion 110 may be positioned in such a manner as to constitute one side of the body 100. In the first embodiment, the base portion 110 may be positioned in such a manner as to constitute the lowermost portion of the main body 100. The cross-section of the base portion 110 may have various shapes such as, but not limited to, rectangular, circular, oval, and the like.

In addition, the base portion 110 may include a pad portion 111 and a base hole 112. The pad portion 111 is disposed in such a manner as to constitute a lower portion of the base portion 110, and a first end thereof is exposed to the outside of the base portion 110. The base aperture 112 is disposed along an edge of the base portion 110.

The pad section 111 may be arranged in such a manner as to constitute the lowermost portion of the base section 110. The base aperture 112 may be disposed along an edge of the base portion 110. A plurality of pad parts 111 and a plurality of base holes 112 may be provided. The number of pad parts 111 may be the same as the number of base holes 112. Thus, the pad part 111 may be electrically connected to the circuit unit 140 and the wire array 200 within the main body 100. In the first embodiment, the first end portions of the pad portions 111 are electrically connected to the circuit unit 140, and thus, an electrical signal may be provided to the pad portions 111 in order to operate the implantable device 10. Then, the second end of the pad portion 111 is connected to the electric wire array 200, and thus the living body stimulating signal generated in the circuit unit 140 may be finally supplied to the living body contacting the electrode hole 240 in the electric wire array 200. Further, in the opposite direction, a living body signal may be supplied to the circuit unit 140 through the electrode hole 240 in the wire array 200.

Further, the pad portions 111 and the base holes 112 may be combined with each other. For example, the pad portion 111 may include a pad hole at a region thereof contacting the base portion 110. The cushion hole is a through hole, and may be disposed at a position corresponding to the base hole 112. Thus, the penetration pins 130 penetrate the base holes 112 and the pad holes, and thus the base part 110 and the combining part 120 may be combined with each other.

The combining portion 120 may be disposed above the base portion 110. The area of the combining part 120 may be smaller than that of the base part 110. Accordingly, the combining part 120 may be easily supported on the base part 110, and thus the reliability of the implantable device may be improved.

According to the first embodiment, the combining part 120 may include a first combining part 121 and a second combining part 122. The first combining part 121 may be disposed over the base part 110. That is, the first combining part 121 may be positioned between the second combining part 122 and the base part 110. In addition, the area of the first combining portion 121 is smaller than that of the base portion 110, and may be larger than that of the second combining portion 122. Therefore, the structural stability can be further improved.

Each of the first combining part 121 and the second combining part 122 may include a combining hole 123. The combination hole 123 may be a through hole.

Further, a plurality of combination holes 123 may be provided, and the number of combination holes 123 may be the same as the number of the pad parts 111 described above or the number of the base holes 112 described above.

The first combining part 121 and the second combining part 122 may be arranged to extend along the edge of the base part 110 in a sequential manner with each other. Thus, the first combining part 121 and the second combining part 122 may include a cavity 125 inside. The cavity 125 is an empty space. Thus, the first combining part 121 and the second combining part 122 may easily protect the circuit unit 140 disposed in the cavity 125 from the outside.

The combination hole 123 may have an area larger than that of the base hole 112. The fixing member 124 may be disposed within the combination hole 123.

The fixing member 124 may include a fixing hole 124 a. The area of the fixing hole 124a may be the same as that of the base hole 112. As in the case of the combination hole 123, a plurality of fixing holes 124a may be provided. The plurality of fixing holes 124a may be positioned in a manner corresponding to the plurality of base holes 112, respectively. Thus, the combination part 120 and the base part 110 may be fixed in place with the through pins 130. Further, each terminal of the circuit unit 140 disposed in the cavity 125 within the combining part 120 may be electrically connected to the pad part 111 by the through pin 130. Therefore, the implantable device 10 according to the first embodiment can ensure increased fastening force and ease of electrical connection.

A plurality of through pins 130 may be provided. As with the base aperture 112, a plurality of through pins 130 may be disposed along respective edges of the base portion 110 and the combining portion 120. The respective numbers of the base hole 112, the combination hole 123, the fixing hole 124a, and the through pin 130 may vary with the number of terminals (not shown) of the circuit unit 140.

The circuit unit 140 performs various functions, such as signal processing and communication, which are necessary for the proper operation of the device 10 implantable in the living body. Generally, the circuit unit 140 is configured with one or more functional modules.

Further, as described above, the circuit unit 140 may include a terminal electrically connected to the first end of the pad part 111. Thus, through the terminals, signals (e.g., current, voltage, etc.) may be provided to the circuit unit 140, or may be provided from the circuit unit 140 in the opposite direction (to the wire array 200).

The wire array 200 may be disposed outwardly from the base portion 110. In the first embodiment, the electric wire array 200 is in contact with the base portion 110, and may be connected to the first end of the pad portion 111.

Specifically, the wire array 200 may include a substrate portion 210, a wire unit 220, a cover portion 230, and an electrode hole 240. The substrate portion 210 is arranged in a manner to constitute a lower portion of the electric wire array 200. The wire unit 220 is disposed over the substrate portion 210. The cover part 230 covers the substrate part 210 and the wire unit 220. The electrode hole 240 is exposed at a first end of the wire unit 220 in contact with the living body.

The substrate portion 210 is arranged in such a manner as to constitute a lower portion of the electric wire array 200, and may support the electric wire unit 220 and the like positioned thereon. The substrate portion 210 may be formed of a material harmless to the living body. For example, substrate portion 210 may be formed from a polymer, ceramic, or the like, but is not limited to these materials.

The wire unit 220 may be disposed over the substrate portion 210. The wire unit 220 may be configured with a plurality of wires. For example, the wire unit 220 may extend in the first direction (X-axis direction). Here, the first direction (X-axis direction) is defined as a direction in which the plurality of electric wires extend. That is, the first direction is a direction from the first end of the electric wire to the second end thereof. The second direction (Y-axis direction) may be a thickness direction as a direction perpendicular to the first direction (X-axis direction). The second direction is a direction in which a plurality of wires (i.e., respective wires for the channels) are stacked on top of each other (e.g., a direction from the first wire unit to the second wire unit). Thus, the second direction (Y-axis direction) may correspond to a direction from the base portion 110 to the combining portion 120. The third direction (Z-axis direction) may be a thickness direction as a direction perpendicular to both the first direction (X-axis direction) and the second direction (Y-axis direction).

A plurality of wire units 220 may be provided, the number of which corresponds to the number of terminals of the circuit unit 140. Further, the electric wire unit 220 may be arranged in such a manner as to extend from the pad portion 111 to the electrode hole 240 that is in contact with the living body. The wire unit 220 may be configured using various circuit patterning methods, such as semiconductor mounting, but not limited to these methods.

The cover part 230 may cover the substrate part 210 and the wire unit 220. In the first embodiment, the cover part 230 may cover the wire unit 220, and thus the wire unit 220 may be protected from an external material. The cover portion 230 may be in contact with a living body. For this reason, the cover portion 230 may be formed of a material harmless to the living body. For example, the cover portion 230 may be formed of a material such as a polymer, but is not limited to such a material.

The cover part 230 may cover a portion of the wire unit 220 in such a manner that the first end of the wire unit 220 is exposed from the cover part 230. In this case, the electrode hole 240 may be a portion exposed at the wire unit 220 through the cover part 230 and thus contacted with the living body. Additional electrode pads or the like in contact with the living body may be disposed in the electrode holes 240. That is, electrodes or the like whose surface area is increased in a manner advantageous for signal transmission/reception between the living body and the wire unit 220 may be disposed in the electrode hole 240.

Further, in the case where the implantable device 10 collects a living body signal, the electrode hole 240 may serve as an inlet for the collected living body signal. Further, in the case where the implantable device 10 transmits a living body stimulating signal to the living body, the electrode hole 240 may serve as an outlet of the living body stimulating signal. A plurality of electrode holes 240 may be provided. The number of the electrode holes 240 may be the same as the number of the pad portions 111 and the number of the terminals of the circuit unit 140.

Fig. 5 is a view showing electric wires in the electric wire array according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion a in fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing each electric wire in the electric wire array according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view showing a portion B in fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing a portion C in fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a side view of wires within a wire array according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Referring to fig. 5 to 10, in the first embodiment, the implantable device may include a plurality of wire units 220, and as described above, each of the plurality of wire units may include a plurality of wires. Further, the plurality of wires may include a plurality of electrode holes, respectively. Each electrode aperture is positioned at a first end of the wire. In this case, the plurality of electric wires may be arranged in such a manner as to extend in the first direction (X-axis direction).

In the first embodiment, the wire unit 220 may include a first wire unit 221, a second wire unit 222, a third wire unit 223, and a fourth wire unit 224. The number of the wire units 220 may correspond to the number of channels of the circuit unit. For example, the circuit unit may have a plurality of terminals that perform different functions as one channel. Multiple channels may be provided, each channel serving as multiple terminals. In the first embodiment, in the case where the number of channels of the circuit unit is 4, as described above, the wire unit 220 may include the first to fourth wire units 221 to 224. The following provides a description based on this case. Each wire unit may include a plurality of wires. However, in the present specification, the description is provided on the assumption that 8 wires are provided per wire unit.

Specifically, each of the first to fourth wire units 221 to 224 may have 8 wires. Accordingly, the first wire unit 221 may include the (1-1) th to (1-8) th wires 221-1 to 221-8. Also, the second wire unit 222 may include (2-1) th to (2-8) th wires 222-1 to 222-8. The third wire unit 223 may include (3-1) th to (3-8) th wires 223-1 and 223-8. The fourth wire unit 224 may include (4-1) th to (4-8) th wires 224-1 and 224-8.

The electrode hole may be disposed at the first end of each of the wires. Each of the wires may be arranged in such a manner as to extend from each of the electrode holes to the pad portion.

For example, the (1-1) th wire 221-1 may include the (1-1) th electrode hole 221 a. The (1-2) th wire 221-2 may include the (1-2) th electrode hole 221 b. The (1-3) th wire 221-3 may include the (1-3) th electrode hole 221 c. The (1-4) th wire 221-4 may include the (1-4) th electrode hole 221 d. The (1-5) th wire 221-5 may include the (1-5) th electrode hole 221 e. The (1-6) th wire 221-6 may include a (1-6) th electrode hole 221 f. The (1-7) th wire 221-7 may include the (1-7) th electrode hole 221 g. The (1-8) th wire 221-8 may include the (1-8) th electrode hole 221 h.

The (2-1) th wire 222-1 may include a (2-1) th electrode hole 222 a. The (2-2) th wire 222-2 may include a (2-2) th electrode hole 222 b. The (2-3) th wire 222-3 may include a (2-3) th electrode hole 222 c. The (2-4) th wire 222-4 may include a (2-4) th electrode hole 222 d. The (2-5) th wire 222-5 may include a (2-5) th electrode hole 222 e. The (2-6) th wire 222-6 may include a (2-6) th electrode hole 222 f. The (2-7) th wire 222-7 may include a (2-7) th electrode hole 222 g. The (2-8) th wire 222-8 may include a (2-8) th electrode hole 222 h.

The (3-1) th wire 223-1 may include a (3-1) th electrode hole 223 a. The (3-2) th wire 223-2 may include a (3-2) th electrode hole 223 b. The (3-3) th wire 223-3 may include a (3-3) th electrode hole 223 c. The (3-4) th wire 223-4 may include a (3-4) th electrode hole 223 d. The (3-5) th wire 223-5 may include a (3-5) th electrode hole 223 e. The (3-6) th wire 223-6 may include a (3-6) th electrode hole 223 f. The (3-7) th wire 223-7 may include a (3-7) th electrode hole 223 g. The (3-8) th wire 223-8 may include a (3-8) th electrode hole 223 h.

The (4-1) th wire 224-1 may include a (4-1) th electrode hole 224 a. The (4-2) th wire 224-2 may include a (4-2) th electrode hole 224 b. The (4-3) th wire 224-3 may include a (4-3) th electrode hole 224 c. The (4-4) th wire 224-4 may include a (4-4) th electrode hole 224 d. The (4-5) th wire 224-5 may include a (4-5) th electrode hole 224 e. The (4-6) th wire 224-6 may include a (4-6) th electrode hole 224 f. The (4-7) th wire 224-7 may include a (4-7) th electrode hole 224 g. The (4-8) th wire 224-8 may include a (4-8) th electrode hole 224 h.

The electrode hole disposed in each of the electric wires may be positioned at a first end thereof, which is an outermost portion in the first direction (X-axis direction). That is, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located farthest from the pad portion. In the first wire unit 221, the (1-1) th wire 221-1 may have a maximum length. Here, the length refers to a length in the first direction (X-axis direction), and the first direction (X-axis direction) may be a length direction. The (1-2) th electrode hole 221b, the (1-3) th electrode hole 221c, the (1-4) th electrode hole 221d, the (1-5) th electrode hole 221e, the (1-6) th electrode hole 221f, the (1-7) th electrode hole 221g, and the (1-8) th electrode hole 221h are arranged in such a manner as to be located at a fractional distance away from the pad portion, and the separation distance from the pad portion may be decreased in this order. That is, the (1-8) th electrode holes 221h may be arranged in such a manner as to be located closest to the pad portion. In the first wire unit 221, the (1-8) th wire 221-8 may have a minimum length.

Likewise, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located farthest from the pad portion. That is, in the second wire unit 222, the (2-1) th wire 222-1 may have the maximum length. The (2-2) th electrode hole 222b, the (2-3) th electrode hole 222c, the (2-4) th electrode hole 222d, the (2-5) th electrode hole 222e, the (2-6) th electrode hole 222f, the (2-7) th electrode hole 222g, and the (2-8) th electrode hole 222h are arranged in such a manner as to be located at a fractional distance away from the pad portion, and the separation distance from the pad portion may be decreased in this order. That is, the (2-8) th electrode holes 222h may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned closest to the pad portion. In the second wire unit 222, the (2-8) th wire 222-8 may have a minimum length.

Further, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a may be disposed in such a manner as to be located farthest from the pad portion. That is, in the third wire unit 223, the (3-1) th wire 223-1 may have the maximum length. The (3-2) th, 3-3) rd, 3-4 th, 3-5 th, 3-6 th, 3-7 th, and (3-8) th electrode holes 223b, 223c, 223d, 223e, 223f, 223g, and 223h are arranged in such a manner as to be located at a fractional distance away from the pad portion, and the separation distance from the pad portion may be decreased in this order. That is, the (3-8) th electrode holes 223h may be arranged in such a manner as to be located closest to the pad portions. In the third wire unit 223, the (3-8) th wire 223-8 may have a minimum length.

Further, the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located farthest from the pad portion. That is, in the fourth wire unit 224, the (4-1) th wire 224-1 may have the maximum length. The (4-2) th electrode hole 224b, the (4-3) th electrode hole 224c, the (4-4) th electrode hole 224d, the (4-5) th electrode hole 224e, the (4-6) th electrode hole 224f, the (4-7) th electrode hole 224g, and the (4-8) th electrode hole 224h are arranged in such a manner as to be located at a fractional distance away from the pad portion, and the separation distance from the pad portion may be decreased in this order. That is, the (4-8) th electrode holes 224h may be arranged in such a manner as to be located closest to the pad portions. In the fourth wire unit 224, the (4-8) th wire 224-8 may have a minimum length.

The (1-1) th to (1-8) th electric wires 221-1 to 221-8 may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance from each other. In the first embodiment, the adjacent electric wires may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned apart from each other by the electric wire separation distance Wsp. Further, the (1-1) th to (1-8) th electric wires 221-1 to 221-8 may have the same width wlene. In this case, the width may be a length in the third direction (Z-axis direction). Thus, the (1-1) th to (1-8) th electric wires 221-1 to 221-8 are electrically separated from each other. Therefore, it is possible to transmit and receive a living body signal and a living body stimulating signal between each terminal of the circuit unit and each electrode hole in contact with a living body without causing a short circuit of the circuit. The same applies to (2-1) th to (2-8) th electric wires 222-1 to 222-8, (3-1) th to (3-8) th electric wires 223-1 to 223-8, (4-1) th to (4-8) th electric wires 224-1 to 224-8.

Furthermore, the plurality of electrode holes may be arranged in a manner positioned at a distance from each other. In the first embodiment, the plurality of electrode holes included in different wire units may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance apart in the first direction (X-axis direction). Therefore, the plurality of electrode holes may be arranged in such a manner as to be located apart from each other by a distance in the length direction (first direction), and may be sequentially arranged in a manner of being successive to each other along the thickness direction (second direction). For example, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a in the first wire unit 221 may be disposed in a manner distant from the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224 a. In this case, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be sequentially arranged in the first direction (X-axis direction), and may overlap in the first direction (X-axis direction). However, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located apart from each other by a distance in a second direction (Y-axis direction) which is a thickness direction. In other words, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be stacked on top of each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction) and thus may be arranged.

Further, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be disposed in such a manner as to be located apart by the same hole separation distance Ls. The (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may have the same hole length Le in the first direction (X-axis direction).

The plurality of electrode holes included in the same wire unit may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance apart in the first direction (X-axis direction). In this case, the separation distance at which the plurality of electrode holes are located apart from each other may be changed in a manner corresponding to the number of the wire units. For example, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be disposed between the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a and the (1-2) th electrode hole 221 b. In other words, the respective holes in the four wire units are arranged between the first ends of the (1-1) th and (1-2) th electrode holes 221a and 221b, and thus the separation distance between the (1-1) th and (1-2) th electrode holes 221a and 221b may be four times the sum of the hole length Le and the hole separation distance Ls. Regarding the separation distance, the same may apply to the (1-2) th to (1-8) th electrode holes 221b to 221h, and the (1-1) th and (1-2) th electrode holes 221a and 221 b. In addition, this may also apply to the separation distance between adjacent electrode holes among the (2-1) th to (2-8) th electrode holes 222a to 222h, the (3-1) th to (3-8) th electrode holes 223a to 223h, and the (4-1) th to (4-8) th electrode holes 224a to 224 h.

Further, the wire unit 220 may have a predetermined thickness d, and each wire unit may also have a wireless wire thickness. In the first embodiment, the first to fourth wire units 221 to 224 may all have the same thickness. The first wire unit 221 may have a first thickness d1, the second wire unit 222 may have a second thickness d2, the third wire unit 223 may have a third thickness d3, and the fourth wire unit 224 may have a fourth thickness d 4.

In the first embodiment, the entire thickness of the first end portions of the plurality of electric wires of each electric wire unit may be smaller than the entire thickness of the second end portions of the plurality of electric wires. In other words, the entire thickness of the second end portions of the plurality of wires may be greater than the first end portions of the plurality of wires. The reason for this configuration is because the first end of the (1-1) th wire 221-1 is located at a distance away from the first end of the (2-1) th wire 222-1 in the length direction. Further, the reason for the configuration is because the first end of the (2-1) th wire 222-1 is located at a distance apart from the first end of the (3-1) th wire 223-1 in the length direction and because the first end of the (3-1) th wire 223-1 is located at a distance apart from the first end of the (4-1) th wire 224-1 in the length direction.

However, in the first embodiment, the maximum thickness of the plurality of wires may be arranged adjacent to the first ends thereof rather than the second ends thereof. That is, in the plurality of wire units, the wires may be sequentially arranged in a manner successive to each other in the thickness direction. Therefore, the plurality of electric wires are divided into a first thickness section having the maximum thickness and a second thickness section not having the maximum thickness. In this case, the length of the first thickness section may be greater than the length of the second thickness section. Accordingly, a section of the plurality of wires having the largest thickness may be maximized, and thus, the resistance in the plurality of wire units may be maximally reduced.

As described above, the first to fourth wire units 221 to 224 may be stacked on top of each other in one direction (e.g., the second direction). In the first to fourth wire units 221 to 224, the electrode holes may not overlap in the second direction (Y-axis direction). Therefore, the occurrence of short-circuiting between adjacent electrode holes can be easily prevented.

Further, the plurality of electrode holes in each wire unit may overlap in the first direction (X-axis direction). For example, in the first wire unit 221, the (1-1) th to (1-8) th electrode holes 221a to 221h may be arranged in an overlapping manner in the first direction (X-axis direction). However, as described above, the (1-1) th to (1-8) th electrode holes 221a to 221h may be arranged in such a manner as to be located apart by a distance in the third direction (Z-axis direction), and thus may be electrically separated from each other. However, in each wire unit, the plurality of electrode holes are arranged apart by a predetermined separation distance while maintaining the same thickness, and thus the thickness of the wire unit can be maximized at the maximum closing position. With this configuration, the width of each wire unit can be reduced, and the length of the section having the largest width can be reduced. In other words, although the wire units have the same length, the length of the section having the largest width may be reduced, and thus the resistance may be reduced. Accordingly, the resistance of the wire unit is reduced, so that the electrical efficiency of the implantable device can be improved. In addition, heat can be reduced, so that the reliability of the implantable device can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the shape of the substrate portion may vary with the width, thickness, and length of the wire unit 220. The first end of the wire unit may have a smaller width than the second end thereof. The second end of the wire unit may be disposed closer to the pad part than the first end thereof. That is, the first end of the substrate portion may have a minimum width W1 and the second end thereof may have a maximum width W2. In this case, the minimum width W1 may be less than the maximum width W2, and the portion having the maximum width W2 may be positioned below the portion having the minimum width W1.

Further, the width of the wire unit 220 may be increased more closer to the pad part. The maximum width can be maintained from a certain section up to the pad portion. Specifically, the maximum width of the first wire unit 221 may be maintained from the first end of the (1-8) th electrode hole 221h to the second end of the (4-8) th electrode hole 224 h.

Also, the substrate portion may have a first section S1 having a maximum width and a second section S2 not having the maximum width. In the second section S2, the width may gradually decrease in the second direction (Y-axis direction). In the first section S1, the maximum width may be maintained.

That is, the length of the first section S1 of the substrate portion may be less than the length Lm of the second section S2 thereof. In other words, the section having the largest width is arranged adjacent to the pad portion, and thus the width of the wire unit is reduced. Therefore, the resistance can be reduced. Thus, advantages of increasing the electrical efficiency of the implantable device and reducing the amount of heat dissipated through the wires may be provided.

Fig. 11 is a view showing electric wires in the electric wire unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing each electric wire in the electric wire array according to the second embodiment. Fig. 13 is an enlarged view illustrating a portion D in fig. 12.

Referring to fig. 11 and 13, the electric wires in the electric wire array according to the second embodiment are the same as those in the electric wire array according to the first embodiment except for the following description. The same description is not repeated.

Specifically, in the second embodiment, the wire unit 220 may include a first wire unit 221, a second wire unit 222, a third wire unit 223, and a fourth wire unit 224. The number of the wire units 220 may correspond to the number of channels of the circuit unit. For example, the circuit unit may have a plurality of terminals that perform different functions as one channel. Multiple channels may be provided, each channel serving as multiple terminals. In the first embodiment, in the case where the number of channels of the circuit unit is 4, as described above, the wire unit 220 may include the first to fourth wire units 221 to 224. The following provides a description based on this case. Each wire unit may include a plurality of wires. In this specification, the description is provided assuming that 8 wires exist in each wire unit.

Specifically, each of the first to fourth wire units 221 to 224 may have 8 wires. Accordingly, the first wire unit 221 may include the (1-1) th to (1-8) th wires 221-1 to 221-8. Also, the second wire unit 222 may include (2-1) th to (2-8) th wires 222-1 to 222-8. The third wire unit 223 may include (3-1) th to (3-8) th wires 223-1 and 223-8. The fourth wire unit 224 may include (4-1) th to (4-8) th wires 224-1 and 224-8.

The electrode hole may be disposed at the first end of each of the wires. Each of the wires may be arranged in such a manner as to extend from each of the electrode holes to the pad portion. Further, as described above, each electrode hole is in contact with the living body. Therefore, a contact portion protruding in the second direction (Y-axis direction) or the third direction (Z-axis direction) may be additionally disposed in each electrode hole. The same applies to the first embodiment described above.

In the second embodiment, the (1-1) th wire 221-1 may include the (1-1) th electrode hole 221 a. The (1-2) th wire 221-2 may include the (1-2) th electrode hole 221 b. The (1-3) th wire 221-3 may include the (1-3) th electrode hole 221 c. The (1-4) th wire 221-4 may include the (1-4) th electrode hole 221 d. The (1-5) th wire 221-5 may include the (1-5) th electrode hole 221 e. The (1-6) th wire 221-6 may include a (1-6) th electrode hole 221 f. The (1-7) th wire 221-7 may include the (1-7) th electrode hole 221 g. The (1-8) th wire 221-8 may include the (1-8) th electrode hole 221 h.

Likewise, the (2-1) th wire 222-1 may include a (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, and the (2-2) th wire 222-2 may include a (2-2) th electrode hole 222 b. The (2-3) th wire 222-3 may include a (2-3) th electrode hole 222 c. The (2-4) th wire 222-4 may include a (2-4) th electrode hole 222 d. The (2-5) th wire 222-5 may include a (2-5) th electrode hole 222 e. The (2-6) th wire 222-6 may include a (2-6) th electrode hole 222 f. The (2-7) th wire 222-7 may include a (2-7) th electrode hole 222 g. The (2-8) th wire 222-8 may include a (2-8) th electrode hole 222 h.

The (3-1) th wire 223-1 may include a (3-1) th electrode hole 223 a. The (3-2) th wire 223-2 may include a (3-2) th electrode hole 223 b. The (3-3) th wire 223-3 may include a (3-3) th electrode hole 223 c. The (3-4) th wire 223-4 may include a (3-4) th electrode hole 223 d. The (3-5) th wire 223-5 may include a (3-5) th electrode hole 223 e. The (3-6) th wire 223-6 may include a (3-6) th electrode hole 223 f. The (3-7) th wire 223-7 may include a (3-7) th electrode hole 223 g. The (3-8) th wire 223-8 may include a (3-8) th electrode hole 223 h.

The (4-1) th wire 224-1 may include a (4-1) th electrode hole 224 a. The (4-2) th wire 224-2 may include a (4-2) th electrode hole 224 b. The (4-3) th wire 224-3 may include a (4-3) th electrode hole 224 c. The (4-4) th wire 224-4 may include a (4-4) th electrode hole 224 d. The (4-5) th wire 224-5 may include a (4-5) th electrode hole 224 e. The (4-6) th wire 224-6 may include a (4-6) th electrode hole 224 f. The (4-7) th wire 224-7 may include a (4-7) th electrode hole 224 g. The (4-8) th wire 224-8 may include a (4-8) th electrode hole 224 h.

The electrode hole disposed in each of the electric wires may be positioned at a first end thereof, which is an outermost portion in the first direction (X-axis direction). That is, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located farthest from the pad portion. The (1-1) th wire 221-1 in the first wire unit 221 may have a maximum length. Here, the length refers to a length in the first direction (X-axis direction). The (1-2) th electrode hole 221b, the (1-3) th electrode hole 221c, the (1-4) th electrode hole 221d, the (1-5) th electrode hole 221e, the (1-6) th electrode hole 221f, the (1-7) th electrode hole 221g, and the (1-8) th electrode hole 221h are arranged in such a manner as to be located at a fractional distance away from the pad portion, and the separation distance from the pad portion may be decreased in this order. That is, the (1-8) th electrode holes 221h may be arranged in such a manner as to be located closest to the pad portion. In the first wire unit 221, the (1-8) th wire 221-8 may have a minimum length.

Likewise, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located farthest from the pad portion. That is, in the second wire unit 222, the (2-1) th wire 222-1 may have the maximum length. The (2-2) th electrode hole 222b, the (2-3) th electrode hole 222c, the (2-4) th electrode hole 222d, the (2-5) th electrode hole 222e, the (2-6) th electrode hole 222f, the (2-7) th electrode hole 222g, and the (2-8) th electrode hole 222h are arranged in such a manner as to be located at a fractional distance away from the pad portion, and the separation distance from the pad portion may be decreased in this order. That is, the (2-8) th electrode holes 222h may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned closest to the pad portion. In the second wire unit 222, the (2-8) th wire 222-8 may have a minimum length.

Further, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a may be disposed in such a manner as to be located farthest from the pad portion. That is, in the third wire unit 223, the (3-1) th wire 223-1 may have the maximum length. The (3-2) th, 3-3) rd, 3-4 th, 3-5 th, 3-6 th, 3-7 th, and (3-8) th electrode holes 223b, 223c, 223d, 223e, 223f, 223g, and 223h are arranged in such a manner as to be located at a fractional distance away from the pad portion, and the separation distance from the pad portion may be decreased in this order. That is, the (3-8) th electrode holes 223h may be arranged in such a manner as to be located closest to the pad portions. In the third wire unit 223, the (3-8) th wire 223-8 may have a minimum length.

Further, the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located farthest from the pad portion. That is, in the fourth wire unit 224, the (4-1) th wire 224-1 may have the maximum length. The (4-2) th electrode hole 224b, the (4-3) th electrode hole 224c, the (4-4) th electrode hole 224d, the (4-5) th electrode hole 224e, the (4-6) th electrode hole 224f, the (4-7) th electrode hole 224g, and the (4-8) th electrode hole 224h are arranged in such a manner as to be located at a fractional distance away from the pad portion, and the separation distance from the pad portion may be decreased in this order. That is, the (4-8) th electrode holes 224h may be arranged in such a manner as to be located closest to the pad portions. In the fourth wire unit 224, the (4-8) th wire 224-8 may have a minimum length.

The (1-1) th to (1-8) th electric wires 221-1 to 221-8 may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance from each other. In the second embodiment, as described above, the adjacent electric wires may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned apart from each other by a predetermined electric wire separation distance. Further, the (1-1) th to (1-8) th electric wires 221-1 to 221-8 may each have the same width. In this case, the width may be a length in the third direction (Z-axis direction). Thus, the (1-1) th to (1-8) th electric wires 221-1 to 221-8 are electrically separated from each other. Therefore, it is possible to transmit and receive a living body signal and a living body stimulating signal between each terminal of the circuit unit and each electrode hole in contact with a living body without causing a short circuit of the circuit. The same applies to (2-1) th to (2-8) th electric wires 222-1 to 222-8, (3-1) th to (3-8) th electric wires 223-1 to 223-8, (4-1) th to (4-8) th electric wires 224-1 to 224-8.

Furthermore, the plurality of electrode holes may be arranged in a manner positioned at a distance from each other. In the second embodiment, a plurality of electrode holes included in the same wire unit or different wire units may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance apart in the first direction (X-axis direction). In addition, the plurality of electrode holes in different wire units may be arranged in such a manner as to be positioned at a distance apart in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

For example, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located at a distance apart in the first direction (the X-axis direction). Further, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located at a distance apart in the second direction (Y-axis direction). However, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be arranged in such a manner as to overlap in the first direction (the X-axis direction).

Further, the (1-1) th to (1-8) th electrode holes 221a to 221h may be arranged in such a manner as to be located at a distance apart in the first direction (X-axis direction) or the third direction (Z-axis direction). However, the (1-1) th to (1-8) th electrode holes 221a to 212h may be arranged at the same height in the second direction (Y-axis direction).

Further, the plurality of electrode holes may be arranged in such a manner as to be located apart from each other by a distance in the length direction (first direction), and may be sequentially arranged in a manner of being successive to each other along the thickness direction (second direction).

That is, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be sequentially arranged along the first direction (X-axis direction), and may overlap in the first direction (X-axis direction). However, as described above, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be arranged in such a manner as to be located apart from each other by a distance in the second direction as the thickness direction. In other words, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be stacked on top of each other in the second direction (Y-axis direction) and thus may be arranged.

Further, the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may all be located away from the adjacent electrode holes in the first direction (X-axis direction) by the same separation distance. However, no limitation is imposed on this separation distance.

The separation distance at which the plurality of electrode holes included in the same wire unit are located apart from each other may be changed in a manner corresponding to the number of wire units. For example, the (2-1) th electrode hole 222a, the (3-1) th electrode hole 223a, and the (4-1) th electrode hole 224a may be disposed between the (1-1) th electrode hole 221a and the (1-2) th electrode hole 221 b. In other words, the respective holes in the four wire units are arranged between the first ends of the (1-1) th and (1-2) th electrode holes 221a and 221b, and thus the separation distance between the (1-1) th and (1-2) th electrode holes 221a and 221b may be four times the sum of the hole length and the hole separation distance. Regarding the separation distance, the same may apply to the (1-2) th to (1-8) th electrode holes 221b to 221h, and the (1-1) th and (1-2) th electrode holes 221a and 221 b. However, no limitation is imposed on this separation distance.

In addition, the same may be applied to the separation distances between the adjacent electrode holes among the (2-1) th to (2-8) th electrode holes 222a to 222h, the (3-1) th to (3-8) th electrode holes 223a to 223h, and the (4-1) th to (4-8) th electrode holes 224a to 224 h.

Further, the wire unit 220 may have a predetermined thickness, and each wire unit may also have a wireless wire thickness. In the second embodiment, the first to fourth wire units 221 to 224 may all have the same thickness.

In addition, each of the first wires in each of the wire units may include a protruding portion K protruding in the third direction (Z-axis direction) or the second direction (Y-axis direction) between the first electrode hole and the second electrode hole. That is, each of the first wires in each of the wire units may have a concavo-convex structure between the first electrode hole and the second electrode hole. Each of the first electric wires will be described as having a concavo-convex structure in the third direction (Z-axis direction).

First, the first wires 221-1, 222-1, 223-1, and 224-1 in each wire unit may include first wire sections ES1-1, ES2-1, ES3-1, and ES4-1, second wire sections ES1-2, ES2-2, ES3-2, and ES4-2, and third wire sections ES1-3, ES2-3, ES3-3, and ES4-3, respectively. The first electrode holes 221a, 222a, 223a, and 224a are positioned in the first direction (X-axis direction) in the first wire sections ES1-1, ES2-1, ES3-1, and ES4-1, respectively. The second wire section ES1-2 is positioned between the first electrode hole 221a and the second electrode hole 221 b. The second wire section ES2-2 is positioned between the first electrode hole 222a and the second electrode hole 222 b. The second wire section ES3-2 is positioned between the first electrode hole 223a and the second electrode hole 223 b. The second wire section ES4-2 is positioned between the first electrode hole 224a and the second electrode hole 224 b. Third wire segment ES1-3 is different from first wire segment ES1-1 and second wire segment ES 1-2. Third wire segment ES2-3 is different from first wire segment ES2-1 and second wire segment ES 2-2. Third wire segment ES3-3 is different from first wire segment ES3-1 and second wire segment ES 3-2. Third wire segment ES4-3 is different from first wire segment ES4-1 and second wire segment ES 4-2.

That is, the first wire sections ES1-1, ES2-1, ES3-1, and ES4-1 may overlap the first electrode holes 221a, 222a, 223a, and 224a in the second direction (Y-axis direction) or the third direction (Z-axis direction), respectively. The third wire section ES1-3 may overlap with the electrode holes other than the first electrode hole 221a in the second direction or the third direction. The third wire section ES2-3 may overlap with the electrode holes other than the first electrode hole 222a in the second direction or the third direction. The third wire section ES3-3 may overlap with the electrode holes other than the first electrode hole 223a in the second direction or the third direction. The third wire section ES4-3 may overlap with the electrode holes other than the first electrode hole 224a in the second direction or the third direction.

For example, the second wire segment may include a (2-1) th wire segment ES1-2, a (2-2) th wire segment ES2-2, a (2-3) th wire segment ES3-2, and a (2-4) th wire segment ES 4-2. (2-1) th wire segment ES1-2 may be positioned within (1-1) th wire 221-1. (2-2) wire segment ES2-2 may be positioned within (2-1) wire 222-1. (2-3) th wire segment ES3-2 may be positioned within (2-3) th wire 223-1. (2-4) th wire segment ES4-2 may be positioned within (2-4) th wire 224-1.

In the second embodiment, each of the first electric wires may have the protruding portion K in the second wire sections ES1-2, ES2-2, ES3-2, and ES 4-2. More specifically, the first wires 221-1, 222-1, 223-1, and 224-1 may include first extensions 221-1a, 222-1a, 223-1a, and 224-1a, second extensions 221-1b, 222-1b, 223-1b, and 224-1b, and third extensions 221-1c, 222-1c, 223-1c, and 224-1c, respectively, in the second wire sections ES1-2, ES2-2, ES3-2, and ES 4-2. The first extension parts 221-1a, 222-1a, 223-1a and 224-1a extend in the (3-1) th direction (Z1 direction). The second extension parts 221-1b, 222-1b, 223-1b, and 224-1b extend in the first direction. The third extension parts 221-1c, 222-1c, 223-1c, and 224-1c extend in the (3-2) th direction (Z2 direction).

In the second embodiment, the extended first extension 221-1a, second extension 221-1b, and third extension 221-1c may be sequentially or randomly connected to each other. The extended first extension 222-1a, second extension 222-1b, and third extension 222-1c may be connected to each other sequentially or randomly. The extended first extension 223-1a, the second extension 223-1b, and the third extension 223-1c may be connected to each other sequentially or randomly. The extended first extension 224-1a, second extension 224-1b, and third extension 224-1c may be connected to each other sequentially or randomly. In this case, the second extension parts 221-1b, 222-1b, 223-1b, and 224-1b and the third extension parts 221-1c, 222-1c, 223-1c, and 224-1c all extend in the third direction. However, in this specification, the description is provided assuming a structure in which the electric wires are connected in a direction from the first end portion to the second end portion.

In other words, since the first extension parts 221-1a, 222-1a, 223-1a, and 224-1a, the second extension parts 221-1b, 222-1b, 223-1b, and 224-1b, and the third extension parts 221-1c, 222-1c, 223-1c, and 224-1c are present, the first wire may include a protruding part protruding from the second wire sections ES1-2, ES2-2, ES3-2, and ES4-2 toward the (3-1) th direction (Z1 direction) or the (3-2) th direction (Z2 direction). The projections extending in the (3-1) th direction (Z1 direction) or the (3-2) th direction may also be positioned in a given order along the first direction (X-axis direction).

Accordingly, due to the arrangement of the first extension parts 221-1a, 222-1a, 223-1a, and 224-1a, the second extension parts 221-1b, 222-1b, 223-1b, and 224-1b, and the third extension parts 221-1c, 222-1c, 223-1c, and 224-1c, the first wires 221-1, 222-1, 223-1, and 224-1 may each include a protruding part protruding in the third direction (Z-axis direction).

In this case, as described above, the protruding portions K may be disposed in the respective second wire sections ES1-2, ES2-2, ES3-2, and ES4-2 of the first wires 221-1, 222-1, 223-1, and 224-1 in each wire unit.

Accordingly, the flexibility of the respective first electrode holes 221a, 222a, 223a, and 224a disposed in the outermost portions or vertices of the wires may be maximized by the second wire sections ES1-2, ES2-2, ES3-2, and ES4-2, respectively, having zigzags or the like. Therefore, when the implantable device is implanted into a living body, the electrode hole in the electric wire can be easily arranged to the deep of the living body. Further, the electric wire array according to the second embodiment prevents the occurrence of cracks and the like in each electric wire unit due to the presence of the second electric wire segment (ES1-2, ES2-2, ES3-2, and ES 4-2). Therefore, the reliability of the wire unit can be improved. Thus, the flexibility of the electrode hole arranged deep in the living body can be increased. In addition, the length of the wire having the other electrode hole can be minimized, and thus the resistance can be minimized.

Fig. 14 is a view showing electric wires in the electric wire array according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 14, each wire in each wire unit within the wire array according to the third embodiment may include the above-described protruding portion in a section having no electrode hole.

For example, the (1-1) th wire 221-1 may include a protruding portion in a section other than the (1-1) th electrode hole 221 a. That is, as described with reference to fig. 11 to 13, the (1-1) th wire 221-1 may include a protruding portion in the second and third wire sections.

Further, the (1-2) th wire 221-2 may include a protruding portion in a section other than the (1-2) th electrode hole 221 b. The (1-3) th wire 221-3 may include a protruding portion in a section other than the (1-3) th electrode hole 221 c. The (1-4) th wire 221-4 may include a protruding portion in a section other than the (1-4) th electrode hole 221 d. The (1-5) th wire 221-5 may include a protruding portion in a section other than the (1-5) th electrode hole 221 e. The (1-6) th wire 221-6 may include a protruding portion in a section other than the (1-6) th electrode hole 221 f. The (1-7) th electric wires 221-7 may include a protruding portion in a section other than the (1-7) th electrode hole 221 g. The (1-8) th wire 221-8 may include a protruding portion in a section other than the (1-8) th electrode hole 221 h.

The same may apply to the (2-1) th to (2-8) th wires 222-1 to 222-8 of the second wire unit 222, the (3-1) th to (3-8) th wires 223-1 to 223-8 of the third wire unit 223, and the (4-1) th to (4-8) th wires 224-1 to 224-8 of the fourth wire unit 224.

With this configuration, in the electric wire array according to the third embodiment, flexibility is provided to all the electric wires and the respective first to eighth electrodes arranged in the outermost portions or vertices of the electrode holes. Therefore, the electrode hole can be arranged deep in the living body. Further, the electric wire array according to the third embodiment can prevent cracks and the like from occurring in each electric wire unit, and therefore can improve the reliability of the electric wire unit.

Further, as a modified example, each of the electric wire units 221 to 224 may include a protruding portion only within a section resulting from division in the first direction (X-axis direction). In particular, the protruding portion may be arranged in a section including an apex of each of the wire units 221 to 224.

Specifically, the first wire unit 221 may be divided into a first divided section TS1 and a second divided section TS2 by a bisector C1 having a maximum length in the first direction (X-axis direction). In this case, the length of the first division section TS1 in the first direction (X-axis direction) may be greater than the length of the second division section TS2 in the first direction (X-axis direction).

As a modified example, the first wire unit 221 may include a protruding portion in the first partition section TS 1. The protruding portion may not be arranged in the second divided section TS 2. Therefore, the first dividing section TS1, which is in contact with the living body portion deep in the living body, has a protruding portion, and thus can have flexibility. In addition, the second divided section TS2 may provide improved electrical characteristics (resistance reduction) by reducing the width of the electric wire in the third direction. The embodiments described above in a centralized manner are for illustrative purposes only and do not impose any limitations on the invention. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will appreciate that various embodiments and applications not described above are possible without departing from the scope of the essential features of the embodiments. For example, each constituent element realized in the embodiment may be modified and then implemented. The differences associated with these modifications and applications should be construed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.