Active implantable medical device comprising a connector for uniaxial connection of components of the implantable medical device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an implantable medical device, comprising: an electronic circuit, a hermetically sealed housing accommodating the electronic circuitry, an electrical component, a connecting structure for connecting the electrical component to the electronic circuit, the connecting structure comprising a rigid circuit board, the electrical component being electrically and mechanically connected to the rigid board, wherein the connecting structure comprises a connector member connected to the rigid circuit board, the connector member being configured to be electrically connected to the electronic circuitry by a uniaxial translation.

Description

[0001] Applicant: BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG

[0002] Date: 09.10.2025

[0003] Our Reference: 22.253P-WO

[0004] Active implantable medical device comprising a connector for uniaxial connection of components of the implantable medical device

[0005] The present invention relates to an implantable medical device, particularly an active implantable medical device and to a method for assembling such an implantable medical device.)

[0006] Regarding such implantable devices it is desired to be able to electrically connect components thereof in an efficient and reliable manner so as to ensure a cost-efficient and process-safe assembly process of the implantable medical device.

[0007] Known solutions regarding for connecting a component of an implantable medical device with a circuit of the device are laser beam welding, resistance welding and soldering of the component (e.g. battery, capacitor, dump resistor). In this fashion, also a feedthrough of the device and the electrically conductive components of a header of the device can be connected, wherein said electrically conductive components contact an electrode plug inserted into a cavity of the header. Particularly, US 2011 / 0137414 Al discloses a substrate embedded in a connection body such that contacts are present in an externally accessible cavity of the connection body. Furthermore, US 2017 / 029472 Al discloses an electronic component assembly including a support, a first contact pad, and a second contact pad that are electronically connected to one another.

[0008] However, welding and soldering processes usually require complex and expensive equipment (laser source with optics, resistor system) in combination with numerous production aids such as expensive and large hold-down devices, welding masks, etc. Many existing process solutions are therefore custom-made solutions, which have been developed at great expense, usually over a long period of time, and cannot be easily duplicated. To connect an electrical component (e.g. battery) to the circuit, today's filigree stamped-bent parts are often used. The strips in this size are usually not dimensionally stable, which is why the required positional accuracy for processing in the automatic placement machine is difficult to achieve.

[0009] Based on the above, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an implantable medical device and a method for assembling components thereof, which device and method allow to electrically connect said components in an efficient and reliable manner so as to ensure a cost-efficient and process-safe assembly process of the implantable medical device.

[0010] This problem is solved by an implantable medical device having the features of claim 1 Preferred embodiments of this aspect of the present invention are stated in the dependent claims and are described below. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for connecting components of such a device.

[0011] According to claim 1, an implantable medical device is disclosed, comprising:

[0012] - an electronic circuitry,

[0013] - a hermetically sealed housing accommodating the electronic circuit,

[0014] - an electrical component,

[0015] - a connecting structure for connecting the electrical component to the electronic circuitry, the connecting structure comprising a first rigid board, the electrical component being electrically and mechanically connected to the rigid board, wherein the connecting structure comprising a connector member connected, particularly electrically connected, to the rigid board, the connector member being configured to be electrically connected to the electronic circuit, particularly by a uniaxial translation (e.g. plugging motion in z-direction). Particularly, the connector forms part of a plug connection electrically connecting the rigid board and the electrical circuitry. Particularly, the electronic circuitry provides a matching connector, wherein the connector may be electrically connected to the matching connector by said uniaxial translation.

[0016] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 The present invention thus allows to connect electrical components of an implant in an automation-friendly and simple manner. In particular, plug-in connections may be used to reduce the complexity during the assembly of all components to a minimum. Particularly, the disclosed solutions make processing by means of an automatic placement machine possible in the first place. The invention particularly allows processing of the components by way of z-mounting (1-axis). The electrical connections of the individual components are deflected in such a way that contact with the circuit can be made with positional accuracy and repeatability.

[0017] Particularly, the electronic circuitry is formed by a printed circuit board having a conductor pattern and a polarity of electronic components, e.g., an integrated circuit, particularly an ASIC, a transformer, a resistor, a capacitor, etc., arranged on the printed circuit board and interconnected by the conductor pattern. Particularly, the printed circuit board one or more electrically insulating substrate layers. The conductor pattern may comprise a plurality of electrically conductive tracks and / or pad arranged a first major surface of the printed circuit board and / or a second major surface of the printed circuit board and / or between two electrically insulating substrate layers, wherein the electrically conductive tracks may be interconnected to one another by vias.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly and contacting of the electrical components (e.g. a battery, a high voltage capacitor, a dump resistor) with the electronic circuitry is carried out exclusively by means of 1-axis translation. Particularly, the electrical component is pre-assembled with the connecting structure according to the invention, before being connected to the electronic circuitry. Particularly, in the case of implants with many components to be contacted, the cycle time for assembly is significantly reduced by eliminating the need for additional production aids. The connecting structure according to the invention may also be applied in the assembly of the header. Here, the previous external wiring tapes may e.g. be replaced by pluggable PCB solutions and thus meet the requirements for automation.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the implantable medical device, one or more sockets are arranged on the first rigid board, wherein the respective socket is configured to receive or to

[0020] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 accommodate a pin, particularly a feedthrough-pin of a battery or a capacitor, of the electrical component to electrically and mechanically connect the electrical component to the rigid board. In one embodiment, the respective socket is a spring socket, wherein the spring socket is particularly formed by an electrically conductive spring element. In one embodiment, the socket, particularly the spring socket comprise an electrically conductive sleeve and an electrically conductive spring element arranged in the sleeve. Particularly, the sleeve may be a machined or deep-drawn sleeve.

[0021] Furthermore, according one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the connector member is or comprises a multipole connector.

[0022] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the connector member comprises one or more pins, the one or more pins being configured to contact a corresponding socket or structure of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the corresponding socket is arranged on a printed circuit board of the electronic circuitry and electrically connected to the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one ore spring elements being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the corresponding conductive is arranged on a printed circuit board of the electronic circuitry and electrically connected to the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one more pogo pins being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad of the electronic circuitry. Particularly, a pogo pin is a spring-loaded ping, wherein particularly an end portion of the pin is slidably arranged in a guiding portion of the pin and spring-loaded by a spring member. The spring member may be supported on the guiding portion, e.g. on a base of the guiding portion. In one embodiment, the corresponding conductive pad is arranged on a printed circuit board of the electronic circuitry and electrically connected to the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more sockets being configured to receive and to contact a corresponding pin of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the corresponding pin is arranged on a printed circuit board of electronic circuit board and electrically connected to the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more conductive pads being configured to contact a corresponding spring element or pogo pin of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the corresponding spring

[0023] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 element or pogo pin is arranged on a printed circuit board of electronic circuit board and electrically connected to the electronic circuitry.

[0024] In one embodiment, one or more sockets of the connector member and / or one or more sockets of the electronic circuity are designed as a spring socket, wherein the spring socket is particularly formed by an electrically conductive spring element. In one embodiment, the socket, particularly the spring socket comprise an electrically conductive sleeve and an electrically conductive spring element arranged in the sleeve. Particularly, the sleeve may be a machined or deep-drawn sleeve.

[0025] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the one or more sockets arranged on the first rigid circuit board, particularly formed by or comprising a spring element, comprise a circular inlet opening and a circular outlet opening for receiving a respective pin (e.g. a feedthrough pin) of the electrical component (a battery or a capacitor), wherein the inlet opening comprises an inner diameter being larger than an inner diameter of the outlet opening, and wherein the socket comprises at least four spring bars extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. In one embodiment, the one or more sockets of the electronic circuitry, particularly formed by or comprising a spring element, comprise a circular inlet opening and a circular outlet opening for receiving a respective pin of the electrical component (e.g., a dump resistor) or a pin of the connector member, wherein the inlet opening comprises an inner diameter being larger than an inner diameter of the outlet opening, and wherein the socket comprises at least four spring bars extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. In one embodiment, the one or more sockets arranged of the connector member, particularly formed by or comprising a spring element, comprise a circular inlet opening and a circular outlet opening for receiving a respective pin (e.g. a pin) of the electronic circuitry, wherein the inlet opening comprises an inner diameter being larger than an inner diameter of the outlet opening, and wherein the socket comprises at least four spring bars extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening.

[0026] Particularly, the different inner diameters of the inlet and outlet opening result in a funnel shape of the spring bars / socket. This shape allows the respective pin of the electrical component to be securely contacted at any point in the funnel, regardless of the initial

[0027] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 position of the pin. Due to the relatively large number of spring bars in combination with the funnel shape, secure contacting is already ensured when the pin makes contact with two spring bars. The funnel shape provides the joining partners, the socket and the respective pin of the electrical component with a larger tolerance window to ensure coaxial arrangement.

[0028] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the inlet opening is delimited by an annular member, particularly an open annular member (i.e. the annular member comprises a gap), wherein at least two tabs protrude from the annular member. Particularly, the tabs are offset with respect to one another by at least 90° in the circumferential direction of the annular member. Particularly, the tabs can be used for SMD processing. Particularly, the respective socket is made of metal and is preferably manufactured in a stamping-bending process.

[0029] According to an alternative embodiment, said tabs are omitted. Here, the contact to the conductors of the rigid board can be made by pressing the respective socket into the rigid board (e.g. FR4 PCB).

[0030] According to one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the connector member is arranged on the first rigid circuit board, and electrically connected to the first rigid circuit board. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more pins arranged on the first rigid board, the respective pin being configured to contact a corresponding socket or structure of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the connector member comprises one or more spring elements arranged on the first rigid board, the respective spring element being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more pogo pins arranged on the first rigid board, the respective pogo pin being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more sockets arranged on the first rigid circuit board, the respective socket being configured to receive and to contact a corresponding pin of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more conductive pads arranged on the first rigid circuit board, the respective conductive pad being configured to contact a corresponding spring element or pogo pin of the electronic circuitry.

[0031] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 According to another embodiment of the implantable medical device, the connector member is electrically connected to the first rigid board via a flex connector, particularly a flexible printed circuit board, and provides the electrical connection to the electronic circuitry of the implantable medical device.

[0032] According to yet another embodiment of the implantable medical device, the first rigid board is connected to a second rigid board of the connecting structure via a flexible connector, particularly via a flexible printed circuit board, wherein the connector member is arranged on and electrically connected to the second rigid circuit board. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more pins arranged on the second rigid board, the respective pin being configured to contact a corresponding socket or structure of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the connector member comprises one or more spring elements arranged on the second rigid board, the respective spring element being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more pogo pins arranged on the second rigid board, the respective pogo pin being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more sockets arranged on the second rigid circuit board, the respective socket being configured to receive and to contact a corresponding pin of the electronic circuitry. In one embodiment, the connector member comprises one or more conductive pads arranged on the second rigid circuit board, the respective conductive pad being configured to contact a corresponding spring element or pogo pin of the electronic circuitry.

[0033] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the first rigid board comprises metallized contact pads arranged on an outer edge of the rigid board via which the rigid board is received on the electronic circuitry via corresponding mating parts.

[0034] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the first rigid board comprises at least one electrically insulating substrate, particularly made from a plastic material, particularly a thermosetting polymer, e.g., an epoxy resin, or a thermoplastic

[0035] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 polymer, e.g., a polyimide or a liquid crystal polymer, and comprises a conductive structure, particularly one or more conductive tracks (e.g. out of copper), for connecting the electrical component to the electronic circuit. Particularly, the rigid board can be a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the first rigid circuit board comprise an electrically insulating substrate comprising or consisting of reinforced (e.g., glass fibre reinforced) epoxy resin, e.g. FR4. In one embodiment, the first rigid circuit board comprises a plurality of insulating substrate layer, e.g., made from a polyimide, and a plurality of metal layers (e.g., made from copper).

[0036] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the second rigid board comprises at least one electrically insulating substrate, particularly made from a plastic material, particularly a thermosetting polymer, e.g., an epoxy resin, or a thermoplastic polymer, e.g., a polyimide or a liquid crystal polymer, and comprises a conductive structure, particularly one or more conductive tracks (e.g. out of copper), for connecting the electrical component to the electronic circuit. Particularly, the rigid board can be a printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the first rigid circuit board comprise an electrically insulating substrate comprising or consisting of reinforced (e.g., glass fibre reinforced) epoxy resin, e.g. FR4. In one embodiment, the first rigid circuit board comprises a plurality of insulating substrate layer, e.g., made from a polyimide, and a plurality of metal layers (e.g., made from copper).

[0037] Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the implantable medical device, the first rigid circuit board and / or the second rigid circuit board is an injection-molded plastic part with printed electrical conductors arranged thereon.

[0038] According to yet a further embodiment of the implantable medical device, the connector member being arranged on said injection-molded rigid board comprises pins arranged on the second rigid circuit board, wherein the respective pin being configured to contact a corresponding socket of the electronic circuitry. Alternatively, in an embodiment, this connector member may comprise spring elements arranged on the second rigid circuit board, the respective spring element being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad of the electronic circuitry. Furthermore, alternatively, the connector member may comprise

[0039] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 pogo pins arranged on the second rigid circuit board, the respective pogo pin being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad of the electronic circuit.

[0040] According to yet a further embodiment of the implantable medical device, the implantable medical device comprises a dump resistor. The dump resistor may formed by a printed circuit board comprising an electrically conductive layer (e.g. consisting of or comprising titanium), particularly forming a resistance conductor, and an electrically insulating layer (e.g., made from a plastic material such as a polyimide, e.g., Pyralux).. A beginning and an end of the resistance conductor are each electrically and mechanically connected with a connector pin. Particularly, the respective connector pin is configured to be electrically connected to a matching counterpart provided on the electronic circuitry in a uniaxial fashion, particularly by means of a uniaxial translation (e.g. plugging motion). In one embodiment, the dump resistor comprises a printed circuit board, and the first rigid circuit board of the connecting structure according to the invention is integrally formed with the printed circuit board of the dump resistor. In one embodiment, a connector member is connected to or arranged on the first rigid circuit board, wherein the connector member comprises a multipole connector or one or more pin, particularly two pins, being configured to contact a corresponding socket of the electronic circuitry.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the beginning and the end of the resistance conductor are each electrically and mechanically connected to at least one pole of a first (e.g. upper) part of a multipole connector. The multipole connector implements the uniaxial assembly with a matching second (e.g. lower) part of the multipole connector arranged on the electronic circuit.

[0042] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the electrical component is a battery. According to a further preferred embodiment, the electrical component is a capacitor.

[0043] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the electronic component is an electrical contact in a header connected to an outside of the housing of the implantable medical device, the header comprising a cavity for receiving an electrode plug,

[0044] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 the header further comprising a first and a second electrical contact for electrically contacting the electrode plug when the latter is plugged into said cavity, wherein the first and the second electrical contact are electrically and mechanically connected to the first rigid circuit board.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the first electrical contact is formed by an electrically conductive spring element arranged in an electrically conductive sleeve. In one embodiment, the second electrical contact is formed by an electrically conductive plug receptacle for receiving the electrode plug, particularly the proximal end of the electrode plug.

[0046] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the first and the second electrical contact are electrically and mechanically connected to the rigid board to the first rigid circuit board, wherein the connector structure comprises a second rigid circuit board being connected to the first rigid circuit board via an intermediary flexible connector, and wherein the connector member comprises by a first connector portion connected to a bottom side of the second rigid circuit board and a second connector portion, wherein the first connector portion is configured to be connected by said uniaxial translation to second connector portion being electrically and mechanically connected to feedthrough contacts of an electrical feedthrough of the housing, wherein particularly the second connector portion is connected to the feedthrough contacts via an adapter plate. Particularly, the first rigid circuit board and the second rigid circuit board extend perpendicular to one another. Particularly, the first and second rigid circuit board may comprises an electrically insulating substrate formed out of an epoxy resin.

[0047] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the implantable medical device, an antenna line is integrated into the first rigid circuit board and / or the second rigid circuit board and / or the flexible connector with a beginning of the antenna line connected to a pole of the connector member and an end of the antenna line connected to another pole of the connector member.

[0048] Particularly, during assembly, after having successfully established an electrical connection to the header components, the upper part of the multipole connector is uniaxially connected and fixed to the corresponding lower part of the multipole connector. The lower part of the

[0049] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 multipole connector (e.g. a so-called SlimStack Connector), is mechanically and electrically fixed on a pin adapter plate. The adapter plate is connected with the pins / contacts of the electrical feedthrough of the housing.

[0050] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the implantable medical device, the connector structure carries a closed conductor track through the shape of the flexible circuit board forming an antenna with a beginning of the line connected to a pole of the upper part of the multipole connector and an end of the line connected to another pole of the upper part of the connector.

[0051] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for connecting an electrical component of an implantable medical device according to the invention to an electronic circuit of the implantable medical device is disclosed, the method comprising electrically and mechanically connecting the electrical component to the first rigid circuit board and connecting the connector by a uniaxial translation to the electronic circuitry, particularly to a matching connector of the electronic circuit.

[0052] The method according to present invention can be further characterized by the features described herein in conjunction with the implantable medical device according to the present invention.

[0053] In the following, embodiments of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages of the present invention shall be described with reference to the Figures, wherein

[0054] Fig. l shows an embodiment of an implantable medical device according to the present invention,

[0055] Fig.2 shows an embodiment of the implantable medical device allowing to efficiently connect a battery of the device to an electronic circuit of the device,

[0056] Fig.3 shows a detail of the embodiment of Fig. 2,

[0057] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 Fig.4 shows a further embodiment of the implantable medical device wherein the connecting structure comprises two rigid boards connected to one another with a flexible connector (e.g. flexible circuit board),

[0058] Fig.5 shows designs of spring elements located on the further rigid board as an alternative to pins as e.g. shown in Fig. 4,

[0059] Fig.6 shows designs of landing surfaces, which are the counterpart of the spring elements of Fig. 5 and can be soldered on the electronic circuit,

[0060] Fig.7 shows a pogo pin as an alternative to the respective spring element / pin (cf.

[0061] Figs 4 and 5) on the further rigid board,

[0062] Fig.8 shows a further embodiment of the implantable medical device comprising a rigid board having metallized edges for contacting the electronic circuit,

[0063] Fig.9 shows a further embodiment of the implantable medical device comprising an injection-molded rigid board for electrically connecting the electronic circuit,

[0064] Fig. 10 shows different embodiments of a socket that are provided on the rigid board for contacting the electrical component (e.g. battery, capacitor etc.),

[0065] Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a dump resistor having pins connected (e.g. soldered) to the dump resistor,

[0066] Fig. 12 shows a detail of Fig. 11 illustrating said pins that can be connected with the electronic circuit by uniaxial translation,

[0067] Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment of a dump resistor comprising a multipole connector for connecting the dump resistor electrically to the electronic circuit by uniaxial translation, and

[0068] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of the implantable medical device, wherein a plug connection inside the header is electrically connected to the electronic circuit / housing via a rigid board and an electrical feedthrough of the housing.

[0069] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an implantable medical device 100 according to the present invention. Particularly, the implant 100 may be a cardiac pacemaker or a cardioverter defibrillator. The invention may however also be applied to other active implantable medical devices. Particularly, the device comprises a header 120 connected to a hermetically sealed housing 110 that defines an internal space for accommodating components of the device 100 such as a battery 111, a capacitor 130, a dump resistor 140, and an electronic circuitry 112 for controlling functions of the device 100.

[0070] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the implantable medical device 100, wherein the device comprises a hermetically sealed housing 110 for accommodating an electronic circuitry 112 and electrical component, e.g., one or more batteries 111 and / or capacitors 130, here particularly in form of a battery 111 comprising feedthrough pins 117 (cf. Fig. 3) that are to be connected to the circuit 112. For this, the device 100 comprises a connecting structure comprising a rigid board 113 (e.g. out of an epoxy resin), wherein the battery 111 is electrically and mechanically connected to the rigid board 113, preferably via sockets 114 arranged on the rigid board 113, wherein each socket 114receives one of the pins 117. Particularly, the sockets 114 are formed by an electrically conductive spring element, wherein the sockets 114 may further comprise an electrically conductive sleeve, which may accommodate the electrically conductive spring element. Furthermore, the connecting structure that is preferably pre-assembled with the electrical component (e.g. battery) 111, comprises a connector member 115 being configured to be electrically connected to the electronic circuit 112 by a uniaxial translation. Particularly, the electronic circuitry 112 comprises a matching connection means for receiving the connector 115. The connector member 115 may have various designs as will be described further below. As also indicated, a dump resistor 140 may also be connected in a uniaxial fashion to the electronic circuit 112 (cf. for instance Figs. 11 to 13). Particularly, as indicated in Fig. 3, the connector member 115 may comprise a multipole connector that is electrically connected to the rigid board 113 via a flexible connector 116 such as a flexible printed circuit board 116. This multipole

[0071] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 connector 115 may be engaged with a corresponding part being arranged on the electronic circuitry 112 in said uniaxial fashion (e.g. by a downward translation in z-direction). For this, the flexible connector particularly protrudes essentially perpendicular to the board 113 from an edge of the rigid board 113 as indicated in the detail of Fig. 3. Fig 3 also shows an individual socket 114 and battery pin 117 protruding from the battery 111. It is to be noted that other electrical components, particularly a capacitor 130, may be electrically connected to the electronic circuit 112 in similar as the battery 111 (cf. Fig. 4).

[0072] According to a further embodiment of the implantable medical device shown in Fig. 4, the rigid board 113 is connected to a second rigid board 113b of the connecting structure via a flexible connector 116, e.g. a flexible printed circuit board 116. As indicated in Fig. 4, the rigid board 113 may be connected to the feedthrough pins 130a of a stack of capacitor 130 (e.g. a stack of three capacitors) via sockets 114 as describe before. Particularly, the connector member 115 may be formed by pins 117a arranged on the further rigid board 113b and protruding therefrom so as to contact corresponding sockets 118 arranged on the electronic circuit 112 by way of a uniaxial translation. For this, the rigid boards 113, 113b particularly extend perpendicular to one another so as to allow a downward translation in z- direction of the pins 117a to engage with the sockets 118.

[0073] As an alternative to pins 117a, spring elements 119 as shown in Fig. 5 may be used as elements of connector 115. In this case the electronic circuitry 112 comprises conductive pads 121 as shown in Fig. 6.

[0074] Furthermore, as an alternative to spring elements 119, pogo pins 124 as shown in Fig. 7 may be used on the second rigid board 113b, the respective pogo pin 124 being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad 121 of the electronic circuitry 112 as shown in Fig. 6. Particularly, the respective pogo pin 124 is a spring-loaded ping, wherein particularly an end portion 124a of the pogo pin 124 is slidably arranged in a guiding portion 124b of the pogo pin 124 and spring-loaded by a spring member 124c. The spring member 124c can be supported on the guiding portion 124b, e.g. on a base 124d of the guiding portion 124b.

[0075] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of the implantable device according to the present invention, wherein here the rigid board 113 comprises metallized contact pads 122 arranged on an outer edge of the rigid board 113 via which the rigid board 113 is received on the electronic circuit 112 via corresponding mating parts 123. As indicated in Fig. 8, the respective mating part / contact 123 may comprise a recess for receiving the respective contact pad / edge portion 122 of the rigid board 113.

[0076] According to yet another embodiment of the implantable medical device 100 as shown in Fig. 9 the rigid board 113 is an injection-molded plastic part with electrical conductors arranged thereon. Particularly, the rigid board 113 comprises two portions extending perpendicular to one another so to allow the pins 117b of connector 115 to engage with the associated sockets 118 upon a uniaxial plugging motion (here, e.g., downwards in z- direction) of the board 113 with respect to the electronic circuitry 112. Also, here, instead of pins 117b spring elements 119 or pogo pins 124 as described before may be used.

[0077] Furthermore, the sockets 114, particularly the spring element as described above, provided on the respective rigid board 113 described herein, may be designed as show in Fig. 10. According thereto, the respective socket 114 comprises a circular inlet opening 114a that may be defined by an annular member 114e comprising a gap. The inlet opening 114a is configured to receive the corresponding pin with its free end ahead. The socket comprises an opposing circular outlet opening 114b for receiving the respective pin, too. The outlet opening 114b is particularly delimited by the ends of at least three spring bars 114c, particularly four spring bars 114c, that each protrude from the annular member 114e. Particularly, the inlet opening 114a comprises an inner diameter being larger than an inner diameter of the outlet opening 114b. Particularly, the sockets 118 of the electronic circuitry may be designed in a similar or identical fashion.

[0078] Optionally, as shown on the left-hand side of Fig. 10, at least two tabs 114d protrude from the annular member 114e. Particularly, the tabs 114d are offset with respect to one another by at least 90° in the circumferential direction of the annular member 114e. Particularly, the tabs may be used for SMD soldering, i.e., connecting the respective socket 114 to a conductive track arranged on the rigid board 113. Additionally or alternatively, tabs may be

[0079] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 used for SMD soldering for connecting the sockets 118 of the electronic circuitry 112 to the latter, particularly to a printed circuit board of the electronic circuitry. However, as shown on the right-hand side of Fig. 10, the tabs may also be omitted and contacting a conductive track of the first rigid board 113 or the electronic circuitry 112 may be achieved by insertion of the socket 114, 188 into a corresponding hole 113c of the board 113 (e.g. FR4 PCB) or the electronic circuitry.

[0080] According to a further embodiment of the implantable medical device 100, the implantable medical device 100 may comprise a dump resistor 140 as shown in Fig. 11. The dump resistor 140 may formed by a printed circuit board comprising an electrically conductive layer (e.g. consisting of or comprising titanium), particularly forming a resistance conductor, and an electrically insulating layer (e.g., made from a plastic material such as a polyimide, e.g., Pyralux). A beginning and an end of the resistance conductor are each electrically and mechanically connected with a connector pin 141, 142 as e.g. indicated in Fig. 12. Particularly, the respective connector pin 141, 142 is configured to be electrically connected to a matching counterpart provided on the electronic circuitry 112 in a uniaxial fashion, particularly by means of a uniaxial translation (e.g. downward motion in z-direction). Instead of pins 141, 142 a multipole connector 143 may be used according to Fig. 13 to electrically connect dump resistor 144 as shown in Fig. 13 to the electronic circuitry 112 of the implantable medical device 100. Particularly, in this embodiment, the printed circuit board of the dump resistor may form a rigid circuit board of the connecting structure according to the invention, or in other word the rigid circuit board of the connecting structure is particularly integrally formed with the dump resistor, particularly with the printed circuit board on which the resistor conductor is arranged.

[0081] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 14 shows an implantable medical device 100 comprising a hermetically sealed housing 110 and a header 120 (also denoted as contacting unit, cf. Fig. 1), wherein the device 100 is equipped with a battery 111 and an electronic circuitry 112, and optionally one or more capacitors 130, wherein the header 120 is particularly formed with a prepared assembly, the so-called header core 200 shown on the right-hand side of Fig. 14. Preferably, in the header core 200, there is provided at least one cavity 201 for receiving an electrode connector (e.g. of an electrode lead in case

[0082] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 the device 100 is e.g. a cardiac pacemaker or a cardioverter defibrillator). Particularly, first electrical contact 203, particularly formed by an electrically conductive spring element arranged in an electrically conductive sleeve and a second electrical contact 202, particularly, formed by an electrically conductive plug receptacle 202, are integrated in the header 120 / header core 200 at the header cavity 201 for electrically contacting the electrode plug when the latter is inserted in the cavity 201 as intended. These electrical contacts 202, 203 are further connected to the inside of the housing 110 (e.g. to electronic circuitry 112) via a connecting structure 300 comprising a first rigid board 304 connected via a flexible connector 305 to a second rigid board 301 and a multipole connector comprising an upper part 302 and lower part 306. Said boards 301, 304 may be printed circuit boards, particularly comprising an electrically insulating substrate formed from an epoxy resin. Alternatively, the rigid boards may comprise multiple layers of insulating substrates, e.g., formed a polyimide, and layers of metal, e.g., copper.

[0083] The upper part 302 of the multipole connector is soldered to a bottom side of the rigid board 301. Conductive tracks are integrated into the rigid boards 301, 304 and are connected to the multipole connector 302. These conductive tracks may be interconnected and are deflected at a right angle by the flexible connector / strip 305. Particularly, in the further course of the conductive tracks the latter may exposed by openings in the insulating layer of the rigid board 304 that may be formed out of polyimide, so that in this area the conductive tracks are uninsulated and may be welded or soldered to said contacts 202, 203. Alternatively, a portion of the conductive tracks may be connected to conductive pads on the surface of the rigid board 304.

[0084] Particularly, the electrical contacts 203, 202 may be electrically connected to the first rigid board 304 by a further circuit board 303 comprising conductive tracks that connects the electrical contacts with the first rigid board 304, wherein particularly the conductive tracks are soldered to the electrical contacts, e.g., pads, on the first rigid board. Alternative, the electrical contacts 203, 202, may be electrically connected to the first rigid board 304 by ribbon conductors, being particularly welded to the electrical contacts and being particularly soldered to electrical contacts, e.g., pads on the first rigid board 304.

[0085] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025 After a successful electrical connection to the header core 200, particularly to the electrical contacts 202, 203, in the header 120, the upper part 302 of the multipole connector is uniaxially connected and fixed to the corresponding lower part 306 as indicated on the righthand side of Fig. 14. The lower part 306 of the multipole connector (e.g. in form of the so- called "SlimStack Connector"), is mechanically and electrically fixed on a pin adapter plate 307. The adapter plate 307 is connected with the pins of an electrical feedthrough to the inside (e.g. electrical circuit 112) of the housing 110.

[0086] The solution according to the present invention has the advantage that an automated assembly (so-called 1-axis assembly) can be realized by means of standard automated machines. In such a 1-axis assembly a component is connected to another component by a uniaxial translation (e.g. downward in z-direction), i.e., by a motion performed along a single axis. These uniaxial operations significantly reduce the process times for manufacturing the assemblies compared to manual production. Known solutions, e.g. by means of wiring tapes, always require assembly in several axes, which makes assembly by means of standard automatic machines impossible. The reduction to only 1-axis assembly in the automatic machine further reduces the susceptibility to errors in the respective process step. This feature is of particular importance for a robust production line with low scrap rates.

[0087] 22.253P-WO 09.10.2025

Claims

Claims1. An implantable medical device (100), comprising: an electronic circuitry (112), a hermetically sealed housing (110) accommodating the electronic circuitry (112), an electrical component (111, 130, 202, 203, 140, 144), a connecting structure for connecting the electrical component (111, 130, 202, 203, 140, 144) to the electronic circuitry (112), the connecting structure comprising a first rigid circuit board (113, 304), the electrical component (111, 130, 202, 203, 140, 144) being electrically and mechanically connected to the first rigid circuit board (113, 304), wherein the connecting structure comprises a connector member (115, 302, 306, 141, 142, 143) connected to the first rigid circuit board, the connector member (115, 302, 306, 141, 142, 143) being configured to be electrically connected to the electronic circuitry (112), particularly by a uniaxial translation.

2. The implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein one or more sockets (114) are arranged on the first rigid circuit board (113), the one or more sockets (114) being configured to receive or accommodate pins (117, 130a, 141, 142) of the electrical component (111, 130, 140, 144) to electrically and mechanically connect the electrical component (111) to the first rigid circuit board (113).

3. The implantable medical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector member (115) comprises one of: one or more pins (117a, 117b) being configured to contact a corresponding socket (118) of the electronic circuit (112), one more spring elements (119) being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad (121) of the electronic circuit (112), one more pogo pins (124) being configured to contact a corresponding conductive pad (121) of the electronic circuit (112),22.253P-WO 09.10.2025one or more sockets being configured to contact a corresponding pin of the electronic circuitry (112), one more conductive pads being configured to contact a corresponding spring element or pogo pin of the electronic circuitry (112).

4. The implantable medical device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein one more sockets (114) arranged the first rigid circuit board (113), and / or one or more sockets (118) of the electronic circuitry (112), particularly formed by or comprising a spring element, comprise a circular inlet opening (114a) and a circular outlet opening (114b) for receiving a respective pin (117, 130a, 141, 142) of the electrical component (111, 130, 140, 144) or a respective pin (117a, 117b) of the connector member (115), wherein the inlet opening (114a) comprises an inner diameter being larger than an inner diameter of the outlet opening (114b), and wherein the respective socket (114) comprises at least three spring bars (114c) extending from the inlet opening (114a) to the outlet opening (114b).

5. The implantable medical device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connector member (115) is arranged on and electrically connected to the first rigid circuit board (113).

6. The implantable medical device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connector member (115) is electrically connected to the first rigid circuit board (113) via a flexible connector (116).

7. The implantable medical device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting structure comprises a second rigid circuit board (113b) electrically connected to the first rigid board via a flexible connector (116), wherein the connector member (115) is arranged on and electrically connected to the second rigid circuit board (113b).

8. The implantable medical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rigid circuit board (113) comprises metallized contact pads (122) arranged on an outer edge of the22.253P-WO 09.10.2025first rigid circuit board (113) via which the first rigid circuit board (113) is received on the electronic circuit (112) via corresponding mating parts (123).

9. The implantable medical device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first rigid circuit board (113) comprises at least one electrically insulating substrate, particularly made from a plastic material, particularly a thermosetting polymer, e.g., an epoxy resin, or a thermoplastic polymer, e.g., a polyimide or a liquid crystal polymer, and comprises a conductive structure, particularly one or more conductive tracks, for connecting the electrical component (111, 120, 130) to the electronic circuitry (112).

10. The implantable medical device according to one of the claims 7 to 9, wherein the second rigid circuit board (113b) comprises at least one electrically insulating substrate, particularly made from a plastic material, particularly a thermosetting polymer, e.g., an epoxy resin, or a thermoplastic polymer, e.g., a polyimide or a liquid crystal polymer, and comprises a conductive structure, particularly one or more conductive tracks,, and comprises a conductive structure, particularly one or more conductive tracks, for connecting the electrical component (111) to the electronic circuit (112).

11. The implantable medical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first rigid circuit board (113) is an injection-molded plastic part with electrical conductors arranged thereon.

12. The implantable medical device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical component is a battery (111), a capacitor (130), or a dump resistor (140, 144).

13. The implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic component is an electrical contact (202, 203) in a header (120) connected to an outside of the housing (110), the header (120) comprising a cavity (201) for receiving an electrode plug, the header (120) further comprising a first electrical contact (203) and a second electrical contact (202) for electrically contacting the electrode plug when the22.253P-WO 09.10.2025latter is plugged into said cavity (201), wherein the first and the second electrical contact (202, 203) are electrically and mechanically connected to the first rigid circuit board (304).

14. The implantable medical device according to claim 13, wherein the first and the second electrical contact (202, 203) are electrically and mechanically connected to the first rigid board (304), and a second rigid board (301) is connected to the first rigid board (301) via a flexible connector (305), and wherein the connector member comprises by a first connector portion (302) that is connected to a bottom side of the rigid board (301) and a second connector portion (306), wherein the first connector portion (302) is configured to be connected by said uniaxial translation to the second connector portion (306), and the second connector portion (306) is electrically and mechanically connected to feedthrough contacts of an electrical feedthrough of the housing (110), wherein particularly the second connector member (306) is connected to the feedthrough contacts via an adapter plate (307).22.253P-WO 09.10.2025

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