Adhesive Aperture Coupling for Implantable Stimulation Leads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coupling techniques for conductors and conductive contacts in implantable electrical stimulation systems lack sufficient pull strength to withstand the forces associated with implantation and patient movement, leading to unreliable connections.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating adhesive apertures in conductive contacts, where a curable adhesive is applied through these apertures to securely couple conductors to the contacts, enhancing the pull strength and stability of the electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional coupling techniques are used for conductors and conductive contacts, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pull strength and reliability of the connection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive contact is segmented by forming adhesive apertures through its body, allowing adhesive to be applied internally at the coupling interface. This segmentation enables the adhesive to bond the conductor to the contact from the inside, significantly increasing pull strength without adding external coupling components.
Solution Approach 2:
An adhesive is introduced as an intermediary substance between the conductor and the conductive contact. The adhesive fills the aperture and creates a strong bonding interface, mediating the mechanical connection between the two components to withstand implantation and patient movement forces.
2Reliability
If adhesive apertures are incorporated in conductive contacts, then the reliability of electrical connections is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive contact is designed with adhesive apertures that create a controlled porous structure. These apertures allow adhesive to penetrate and bond internally while maintaining the electrical conductivity and mechanical integrity of the contact. The aperture design enables reliable bonding without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
3Strength
If adhesive is applied through adhesive apertures, then the pull strength increases, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive aperture is pre-formed in the conductive contact during manufacturing, preparing the structure for subsequent adhesive application. This preliminary action allows the adhesive to be easily introduced and distributed throughout the coupling interface, simplifying the assembly process while achieving strong bonds.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of adhesive apertures in conductive contacts significantly increases the pull strength of the coupling between conductors and contacts, ensuring reliable electrical connections despite the forces encountered during implantation and patient movement.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive is applied through the adhesive apertures to adhesively couple the conductive contact to the conductor
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical stimulation lead includes a plurality of conductive contacts disposed at a distal end and a proximal end of a lead body. The plurality of conductive contacts includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of terminals. At least one of the conductive contacts is a first conductive contact that includes at least one adhesive aperture defined between an inner surface and an outer surface of the at least one conductive contact. A plurality of conductors each electrically couple at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals. Each first conductive contact has a conductor associated with, and electrically coupled to that first conductive contact. The adhesive is disposed in proximity to the at least one adhesive aperture of at least one first conductive contact to adhesively couple that first conductive contact to the at least one associated conductor.