Implantable Connector Cleaning Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable connectors face challenges in preventing exposure of mating surfaces to body fluids during decoupling and re-coupling, leading to potential current leakage and dendritic growth, which can cause device failure.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for cleaning the mating parts of an implantable connector using a cleaning structure, such as a foam or viscous material, that is applied to the interfacing surfaces and compressed between the mating parts to expel contaminants, and resilient cleaning structures that deform to increase contact and expel material as the parts engage, reducing exposure to body fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If detachable mating parts are decoupled and re-coupled in a surgical environment, then replacement of expired battery or other parts is enabled, but exposure of mating surfaces to body fluids occurs causing current leakage and dendritic growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplacement of batteryVSAvoiddevice failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A cleaning structure is applied to the mating surfaces before engagement to remove body fluids and contaminants. This preliminary cleaning action prevents current leakage and dendritic growth that would occur during normal operation, while still allowing the connector to be decoupled and re-coupled for battery replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning structure acts as an intermediary between the mating surfaces during engagement. It is compressed between the first and second mating parts, removing contaminants from the interfacing surfaces before electrical contact is established, thereby preventing harmful effects without interfering with the replacement operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If cleaning material is applied to mating parts, then contamination is removed from interfacing surfaces, but additional steps and materials are required in the surgical procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclean interfacing surfacesVSAvoidcleaning structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning structure is integrated with the mating parts themselves. The cleaning material is applied directly to the mating surfaces or on a carrier that is part of the connector assembly, combining the cleaning function with the electrical connection function in a single integrated component rather than requiring separate cleaning and connection steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning structure is designed to be self-contained and self-applied. When the mating parts are engaged, the cleaning material is automatically compressed between the surfaces, performing the cleaning action through the mechanical engagement itself without requiring external cleaning tools or additional manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively reduces the risk of contamination and device failure by ensuring clean interfacing surfaces during engagement, maintaining electrical connections and preventing dendritic growth.

Implementation Method 1

engaging the first and second mating parts so as to compress the layer of cleaning material between the first and second interfacing surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

first and second resilient cleaning structures having first and second interfacing surfaces, respectively, that are convex. Such first and second resilient cleaning structures are configured to progressively deform as the first and second mating parts become progressively more engaged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10112041B2Implantable connector cleaning system

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

A system for cleaning mating parts of an implantable connector includes an implantable connector and a cleaning structure. The implantable connector includes first and second detachable mating parts configured: to be implantable in living tissue; to terminate at least a first segment of a cable; and to have with first and second interfacing surfaces, respectively. The clean structure includes: a cleaning structure configured to clean the first and second interfacing surfaces as the first and second mating parts are being engaged.