Pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of titanium ear implants

Jan Gedopt; Erwin Delarbre

doi:10.1117/12.405716

6 November 2000 Pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of titanium ear implants

Jan Gedopt, Erwin Delarbre

Proceedings Volume 4088, First International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.405716
Event: First International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication (LPM2000), 2000, Omiya, Saitama, Japan

Abstract

Three different prototypes of ear implants have been successfully produced using Nd-YAG laser welding. The prototypes differ in use and dimensions. This presentation will deal with the latest developed ear implant, i.e. a box containing special electronics inside. The implant has to be He leak tight, the weld penetration should be between 50 and 65% of the cover in order to be sure to avoid damage of the electronics in the box and the temperature should not exceed 100 degree(s)C during welding. Furthermore no sharp edges and no surface contamination or oxidation is allowed. Pulsed Nd-YAG welding proved to be a fabrication technique who allowed satisfying those conditions. Through an appropriate choice of pulse energy, pulse time, pulse frequency, overlap and an external cooling device we succeeded to fulfil all those requirements. Special devices have been developed and are used to position the boxes adequately in front of the laser beam. During the welding a copper heat sink was used to eliminate the developed heat, and at the same time this was used to keep a good contact between the cover and the rest of the box. In the development phase the internal temperature during the welding cycle has been measured. With an appropriate choice of pulse frequency, pulse time, the internal temperature could be limited to about 80 degree(s)C. XPS measurements have also been performed on dummies in order to control the eventual formation of a titanium deposit during welding. Finally 30 implants have been welded successfully, and they will now be used for further medical tests, first on animals and later on human beings.

Citation Download Citation

Jan Gedopt and Erwin Delarbre "Pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding of titanium ear implants", Proc. SPIE 4088, First International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication, (6 November 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.405716

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