Circular Coil Spring Connector for Corrosion-Resistant Implant Leads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices face challenges in providing reliable, durable, and cost-effective electrical connectors that can handle high power requirements and withstand the corrosive body environment.
Innovation Solution
The development of a circular coil spring contact assembly for implantable electrical connectors, featuring a non-conductive housing with a conductive circular coil spring and lead, which reduces costs by eliminating the need for expensive platinum iridium alloys.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If platinum iridium alloy is used for the connector housing, then corrosion resistance and durability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a non-conductive housing material (such as biocompatible polymer or ceramic) with a conductive circular coil spring element. This composite approach replaces the traditional single-material platinum iridium alloy housing, achieving both corrosion resistance through the stable non-conductive material and electrical conductivity through the spring element, while significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional connector designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but reliability under cyclical stress and strain deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional rigid connector design into a dynamic structure by incorporating a circular coil spring as the conductive element. This spring mechanism provides flexibility and elasticity, allowing the connector to withstand cyclical stresses and strains from flexure and movement within the body while maintaining reliable electrical connection, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing.
3Power
If high power requirements are accommodated, then functionality for VAD devices is enabled, but connector durability in corrosive environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-conductive housing material as an intermediary barrier between the conductive spring element and the corrosive body environment. This housing material (such as biocompatible polymer or ceramic) provides corrosion protection while allowing electrical conductivity through the enclosed spring element, enabling high power handling capability for VAD devices while maintaining durability in the corrosive physiological environment.
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
This solution provides a cost-effective, durable, and corrosion-resistant electrical connector suitable for high power requirements, ensuring reliable operation of implantable medical devices like ventricular assist devices.
Implementation Method 1
circular coil spring contact assemblies... conductive circular coil spring
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable electrical connectors employ a conductive circular coil spring contact retained with in a non-conductive housing and a conductive lead attached to the conductive circular coil spring contact. An implantable electrical connector assembly includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector includes an electrical contact mounted to an elongated electrical contact support member. The female electrical connector includes a connector body and a female contact assembly disposed within the connector body. The female contact assembly includes a conductive circular coil spring, a conductive lead, and a non-conductive housing. The conductive lead is connected to the conductive circular coil spring. The conductive circular coil spring is disposed within and retained by the non-conductive housing. The conductive lead extends from within the non-conductive housing to outside of the non-conductive housing.