Implantable Cardiac Electrode Laser Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of implantable cardiac electrode tips with metal parts is costly and limits design flexibility, while existing plastic joining techniques require complex geometries, additional components, or lengthy processes.
Innovation Solution
An implantable cardiac electrode design using a transparent and absorbing plastic material combination for laser welding, eliminating the need for adhesives and complex geometries, reducing production time and cost, and increasing design freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal parts are used in electrode tip manufacturing, then electrical conductivity and structural strength are improved, but manufacturing cost increases and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metal parts with plastic components that can be manufactured more economically. The electrode tip housing and internal structures are made from plastic materials, eliminating the need for costly metal machining while maintaining sufficient structural strength for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs plastic materials with appropriate mechanical and electrical properties to replace metal. The use of engineered plastic compositions allows achieving the required structural strength and electrical conductivity without metal, resolving the contradiction between strength and manufacturing cost.
2Strength
If metal parts are used in electrode tip manufacturing, then structural strength is improved, but design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive metal parts with plastic components that can be manufactured more economically. The electrode tip housing and internal structures are made from plastic materials, eliminating the need for costly metal machining while maintaining sufficient structural strength for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, which fundamentally alters the manufacturing capabilities and design flexibility. Plastic materials allow for easier molding, shaping, and integration of complex geometries, enabling greater design freedom while maintaining structural integrity.
3Strength
If traditional plastic joining techniques are used, then bonding is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to required complex geometries and additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for additional joining components such as screws, clips, or adhesives by integrating the bonding function directly into the laser welding process. The plastic parts are designed with overlapping surfaces that can be directly welded, eliminating auxiliary components and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the joining function with the structural design of the plastic parts themselves. The overlapping regions of the plastic housing are designed to be directly welded together, merging the structural and joining functions into a single integrated process, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity.
4Strength
If traditional plastic joining techniques are used, then bonding is achieved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for additional joining components such as screws, clips, or adhesives by integrating the bonding function directly into the laser welding process. The plastic parts are designed with overlapping surfaces that can be directly welded, eliminating auxiliary components and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical joining methods (screwing, clamping, gluing) with laser welding, which is a faster and more efficient process. Laser welding provides rapid heating and bonding of plastic surfaces, significantly reducing production time compared to traditional mechanical or chemical joining methods.
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 provides a cost-effective, stable, and reliable cardiac electrode with reduced manufacturing complexity and increased design flexibility, achieving high bonding strength without additional components or cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
the second polymer surface contacted by the laser beam absorbs the irradiation due to the presence of one or more absorbing media therein or due to other modifications or characteristics thereof (the 'absorbent polymer surface')
Implementation Method 2
The irradiation absorbed by the absorbent polymer surface, combined with any irradiation absorbed by the transparent polymer surface, produces localized heating in the vicinity of the weld leading to melting and bonding of the polymer surfaces at the interface
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable cardiac electrode comprising an electrode lead and an electrode tip, wherein the electrode tip comprises a housing and a fixation screw received within the housing, wherein the fixation screw is electrically conductive connected to the electrode lead and serves for fixing the electrode tip within cardiac tissue. The housing comprises a first element and a second element, wherein the first element has a sleeve-like shape and defines a receiving space for the fixation screw, wherein the second element is at least partially inserted into the receiving space so that the first element overlaps the second element in an overlapping area, wherein the first element and the second element are bonded together in the overlapping area, wherein the first element comprises a first material being transparent for light having a first wavelength, wherein the second element comprises a second material that is absorbing for light having the first wavelength.