Composite Material for Implantable Devices Reducing Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices, such as sensors and pacemakers, face challenges with density and RF performance due to hermetic materials like titanium, which are complex to manufacture and result in higher mass and density, leading to device migration and altered function within the body.
Innovation Solution
A composite material comprising a polymeric matrix and hollow gas-filled beads is used to form a device, reducing density and maintaining a consistent dielectric constant, thereby optimizing device weight and RF performance by encapsulating electronics and antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hermetic materials like titanium are used to protect RF components, then device protection from moisture penetration is improved, but device density and mass increase leading to migration and altered function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of a polymeric matrix material combined with hollow gas-filled beads to create an implantable device body. This composite structure provides both protection and reduced density, resolving the contradiction between device protection and device mass.
2Reliability
If hermetic materials like titanium are used to protect RF components, then device protection from moisture penetration is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material of polymeric matrix and hollow gas-filled beads simplifies manufacturing compared to hermetic titanium construction, while still providing adequate protection from moisture penetration for the implantable device.
3Weight of moving object
If hollow gas-filled beads are added to matrix material to reduce density, then device mass is reduced, but dielectric constant consistency may be affected impacting RF performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully selects and controls parameters including bead size (0.001 mm to 3 mm diameter), bead material (glass or air-filled), and matrix material composition to achieve the desired balance between reduced density and consistent dielectric constant for optimal RF performance.
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 composite material achieves a reduced overall density of the device, minimizing migration and maintaining RF efficiency by keeping the dielectric properties constant over time, enhancing the functionality and reliability of implantable devices like glucose sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a composite material comprising a matrix material and a plurality of hollow gas-filled beads
Implementation Method 2
maintaining a consistent dielectric constant, thereby optimizing device weight and RF performance
Data Source
AI summary
Devices suitable for implantation in a body of a host and systems and methods for their manufacture are provided. The implantable devices include a composite material formed at least from a matrix material and hollow gas-filled beads. In preferred embodiments, the composite material includes a polymeric matrix mixed with hollow air-filled glass beads, which are mixed and cured to form at least a portion of the body of the implantable device. Implantable devices including this composite material have decreased weight and/or overall density as compared to implantable devices without the beads incorporated therein, which is believed to improve the acceptance and function of the implantable device in vivo. Additionally, implantable devices concerned with transmitting and receiving via RF are believed to achieve improved RF performance due to a reduced dielectric constant provided by the incorporation of beads within the composite material.