METHOD FOR REDUCING ZIRCONIUM OXIDE TO ELEMENTAL ZIRCONIUM BY LASER AND AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE COMPRISING ZIRCONIUM

摘要

Methods for laser welding biocompatible material for use in implantable medical devices are disclosed. A method (20) for laser processing includes applying (22) a laser beam to a biocompatible material comprising at least 85% by weight zirconium oxide (Zr02) or zirconia in an oxygen-free environment and depleting (24) the material of oxygen. The depletion of oxygen converts the zirconium oxide to elemental zirconium at an interface where the laser beam is applied to the biocompatible material. Furthermore, an implantable medical device or component thereof is disclosed that is made of a biocompatible material comprising zirconium oxide. The device includes a substrate that has an intrinsic conductive pathway comprising elemental zirconium that extends from a first surface to a second surface of the substrate.