Visibly Modified Connector Surfaces for Lead Insertion Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
New configurations of implantable medical devices and connectors make it challenging to visually verify proper lead insertion, leading to potential faulty connections and the need for additional surgical procedures to correct improper insertions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of visibly modified surfaces on the connector headers and lead connector assemblies, such as gold plating, titanium-nitride coating, contrasting colors, and roughened surfaces, to enhance visual contrast and facilitate proper insertion verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new configurations of implantable medical devices and connectors are used (down-sized leads and multiple connector bores), then device functionality and integration are improved, but visual verification of proper lead insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by coating specific portions of the lead connector assembly with contrasting colors (e.g., black or dark gray) that differ from the connector header color. This creates visual contrast that enables easy detection of proper insertion status. The colored portion is positioned to be visible when the lead connector is properly inserted into the connector bore, allowing visual verification without compromising the down-sized configuration or multiple connector bores design.
2Manufacturing precision
If visual verification methods are added to enhance lead insertion detection, then insertion accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by coating only specific portions of the lead connector assembly with contrasting colors rather than the entire assembly. The colored portion is strategically positioned on the lead connector assembly to be visible when properly inserted. This localized approach provides sufficient visual verification capability while minimizing the added complexity and material usage.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device system that includes a housing containing an electrical circuit and a connector header mounted on the housing. A first inner surface of the connector header forms a connector bore adapted for receiving a lead connector assembly for electrically coupling a medical lead to the circuitry contained in the housing, and one of the connector header and the lead connector includes a visibly modified surface for facilitating visual verification of full insertion of the medical lead connector assembly in the connector bore.