Capacitor-Integrated Feedthrough Assembly for Implantable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices face challenges in maintaining a hermetic seal and reducing the size of feedthrough assemblies due to the use of specialized and expensive discoidal capacitors for filtering unwanted frequencies, which occupy premium space and limit the housing's capacity for other components.
Innovation Solution
A shielded feedthrough assembly is developed, incorporating feedthrough wires, an insulator, and a mechanical support with integrated filtering capacitors within a wire bonding ceramic substrate, forming a Faraday cage to filter undesired frequencies and maintain a hermetic seal, thereby reducing the overall size and cost of the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized discoidal capacitors are used for filtering unwanted frequencies in the feedthrough assembly, then the filtering capability is improved, but the device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capacitor filtering function with the feedthrough structure by integrating capacitors directly into the feedthrough assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate discoidal capacitors, reducing overall device size while maintaining filtering capability. The capacitors are positioned within the feedthrough structure itself, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standard capacitors that can be manufactured using conventional processes instead of specialized discoidal capacitors. This allows for cost-effective reproduction and manufacturing while achieving the same filtering function. The standard capacitors are integrated into the feedthrough assembly, providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive specialized components.
2Reliability
If specialized discoidal capacitors are used for filtering, then the filtering performance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive specialized discoidal capacitors with standard, cost-effective capacitors that can be manufactured using conventional processes. These standard capacitors provide the necessary filtering performance at a lower cost, making the overall device more economically viable for manufacturing and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standard capacitors that can be manufactured using conventional processes instead of specialized discoidal capacitors. This allows for cost-effective reproduction and manufacturing while achieving the same filtering function. The standard capacitors are integrated into the feedthrough assembly, providing a cost-effective alternative to expensive specialized components.
3Reliability
If larger feedthrough assembly is used with integrated capacitors, then the filtering capability is improved, but the space for other components in the housing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capacitor filtering function with the feedthrough structure by integrating capacitors directly into the feedthrough assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate discoidal capacitors, reducing overall device size while maintaining filtering capability. The capacitors are positioned within the feedthrough structure itself, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component and freeing up space for other device components.
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 solution effectively filters unwanted signals, maintains a hermetic seal, and reduces the footprint of the feedthrough assembly, allowing for more space within the implantable medical device for other components while being cost-effective and biocompatible.
Implementation Method 1
One or more filtering capacitors are disposed inside a wire bonding ceramic substrate of the mechanical support to filter and inhibit transmission of undesired frequencies from electrical signals received through the implanted patient leads
Implementation Method 2
The shielded feedthrough assembly, feedthrough wires, the mechanical support, and a housing of the implantable medical device act in combination to provide a shield between the environment and the sensitive circuitry of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A feedthrough assembly for use with implantable medical devices having a shield structure, the feedthrough assembly engaging with the remainder of the associated implantable medical device to form a seal with the medical device to inhibit unwanted gas, liquid, or solid exchange into or from the device. One or more feedthrough wires extend through the feedthrough assembly to facilitate transceiving of the electrical signals with one or more implantable patient leads. The feedthrough assembly is connected to a mechanical support which houses one or more filtering capacitors that are configured to filter and remove undesired frequencies from the electrical signals received via the feedthrough wires before the signals reach the electrical circuitry inside the implantable medical device.