US Patent 7288799 Semiconductor device and fabrication method thereof

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a circuit part formed on and above the semiconductor substrate, a passivation film covering the circuit part, an electrode pad provided outside the circuit part in such a manner that the electrode pad is exposed from the passivation film, and a guard ring pattern provided between the electrode pad and the circuit part such that the guard ring pattern surrounds the circuit part substantially. The guard ring pattern extends from a surface of the semiconductor substrate to the passivation film.