Conical Base Ring Header for Intracardiac Device Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable intracardiac devices, such as pacemakers, face challenges with larger header geometries that occupy significant space, limiting device miniaturization and affecting critical components like battery longevity and therapeutic features.
Innovation Solution
A conically formed base ring with tines extending from it, integrated into a header assembly that includes a header cap, spacer, and optionally a collar, which allows for a compact design, reduced axial length, and automated assembly, while providing a robust attachment mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional header geometry is used, then the anchoring device is secure, but the device length becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The header assembly is divided into separate modular components: a header cap, a base ring with tines, and a header spacer. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the base ring provides secure anchoring through multiple tines while the cap and spacer minimize axial length. The modular design enables the anchoring function to be achieved with a more compact overall geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The base ring is designed with a conical geometry that expands the anchoring structure in the radial dimension rather than extending it axially. The tines are arranged circumferentially around the base ring, providing secure multi-point anchoring in the radial plane while maintaining a compact axial profile. This dimensional shift allows secure anchoring without increasing device length.
2Volume of moving object
If the device length is reduced, then space for critical components increases, but the anchoring mechanism becomes more difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the header assembly into discrete components (cap, base ring with tines, spacer), each piece can be manufactured using standard, well-established processes. The base ring with integrated tines can be formed as a single piece or assembled from simple segments, avoiding the need for complex integrated manufacturing. This modular approach actually simplifies manufacturing while enabling compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The base ring integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides the structural foundation for the tines, serves as the anchoring element itself, and defines the radial expansion geometry. This merging of functions into a compact base ring structure achieves space efficiency without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity, as the base ring can be formed using conventional shaping processes.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact header design is used, then device volume is reduced, but the attachment mechanism robustness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The compact header achieves robust attachment through segmentation into a multi-component system where the base ring with multiple tines provides distributed anchoring strength. Rather than relying on a single large anchoring element that would increase volume, the segmented tine structure provides cumulative attachment robustness within a compact footprint. The header cap and spacer further reinforce the attachment through distributed contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The base ring employs conical geometry that expands radially to provide a large attachment surface area and multiple tine contact points with tissue, while maintaining a compact axial profile. This radial expansion in another dimension allows robust multi-point anchoring without increasing the axial length or overall volume of the header assembly. The conical shape distributes attachment forces across multiple dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to an implantable intracardiac device and a header assembly for such device having at least one tine (3) extending from a base ring (33), further comprising a spacer (4) and a header cap (2), wherein the base ring (33) of the anchoring device is conically formed. The inventive intracardiac device has small dimensions and provides, at the same time, a robust attachment mechanism.