Implantable Connector Assembly with Integrated Ceramic Feedthrough
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable electrical stimulation systems face challenges with complex and expensive feedthrough interconnects, difficult assembly processes, and high electrical impedance, which can lead to damage and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a ceramic feedthrough with a ferrule and contact housings made of ceramic or polymer materials, which includes wire holes and contact receptacles for lead insertion, reducing the need for separate contact housings and simplifying alignment and assembly, while providing a hermetically sealed cavity for the electronic subassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional feedthrough interconnects are used, then electrical connection is provided, but assembly complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the feedthrough and contact housing into a single integrated component. The contact housing is formed as an integral part of the feedthrough structure, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining electrical connection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedthrough structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connection between leads and the control module, acts as a contact housing for receiving lead contacts, and maintains hermetic sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional feedthrough interconnects are used, then electrical connection is provided, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of contact housing and feedthrough into one component reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs by reducing material waste, assembly labor, and quality control steps while simplifying the overall device structure.
3Reliability
If complex feedthrough interconnects are used, then electrical connection is provided, but electrical impedance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated feedthrough-contact housing structure creates direct electrical pathways without additional connection interfaces. This reduces the number of electrical joints and contact points, thereby lowering overall electrical impedance while maintaining reliable electrical connection between the leads and control module.
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 reduces assembly complexity, lowers electrical impedance, and enhances the reliability and efficiency of the connector assembly, making it less prone to damage and more cost-effective compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a feedthrough interface having a ceramic feedthrough and a ferrule attached to, and forming a perimeter around, the ceramic feedthrough
Implementation Method 2
providing a hermetically sealed cavity for the electronic subassembly
Implementation Method 3
connector contacts with each connector contact disposed in a one of the contact receptacles and defining a lead receiving opening that is aligned with one of the at least one lead receiving lumen
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A connector assembly for an implantable device includes a feedthrough interface having a ceramic feedthrough and a ferrule attached to, and forming a perimeter around, the ceramic feedthrough; a lower contact housing coupled to the feedthrough interface, where the lower contact housing and ceramic feedthrough define wire holes extending therethrough; an upper contact housing attached to the lower contact housing and collectively defining contact receptacles, each of the contact receptacles defining an opening for at least one of the wire holes; connector contacts with each connector contact disposed in a one of the contact receptacles; and wires with each of the wires coupled to one of the connector contacts and extending through one of the wire holes so that the respective wire extends out of the ceramic feedthrough.