Discrete Cofired Feedthrough Filter for Medical Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional feedthrough filters for implantable medical devices are prone to damage during manufacturing and assembly, require intricate steps, and are costly, while existing designs fail to adequately address electromagnetic interference (EMI) in a comprehensive manner.

Innovation Solution

The development of discrete cofired feedthrough filters with improved terminal configurations, including asymmetrical and symmetrical terminals, interleaved electrodes, and additional shielding features, which are mounted directly on substrates or printed circuit boards to provide both mechanical and electrical connections, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing EMI shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional feedthrough filters are used, then EMI filtering is provided, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase while susceptibility to damage during assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter durabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is divided into modular components including a feedthrough portion with integrated electrodes and a separate capacitor portion that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feedthrough and filter capacitor are combined into a single integrated assembly where the feedthrough portion contains built-in electrodes that directly connect to the capacitor. This merging eliminates the need for separate wiring and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity and susceptibility to assembly damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If conventional feedthrough filters with numerous manufacturing steps are used, then EMI filtering is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMI filtering performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The feedthrough portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for wires, establishes electrical connections through integrated electrodes, and forms part of the filter capacitor structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining EMI filtering performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The feedthrough portion is designed with self-aligned electrodes that automatically position themselves during assembly with the capacitor portion. This self-alignment feature eliminates the need for complex positioning and alignment procedures, reducing manufacturing cost and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If discrete filters are mounted on substrates, then EMI filtering and mechanical connection are provided, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMI filtering effectivenessVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The feedthrough and filter capacitor are merged into a single pre-assembled unit with integrated electrical connections. This allows the entire filter assembly to be installed as one component rather than requiring separate mounting of discrete filters, wires, and connectors, significantly simplifying assembly while maintaining EMI filtering effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated feedthrough portion acts as an intermediary component that provides both mechanical mounting support and electrical connection functions. By incorporating built-in electrodes and mounting features, it serves as a mediator between the substrate and the capacitor portion, eliminating the need for separate wiring and mounting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides improved electromagnetic interference filtering with lower manufacturing costs, reduced cross-talk between signals, and increased dielectric withstand voltage, while being less susceptible to damage and easier to assemble, thus addressing the limitations of conventional filters.

Implementation Method 1

The feedthrough filter 15 can act as a capacitor such that the each of the feed wires 12 of the device is electrically connected to a respective set of electrode plates 16 and 17 within the feedthrough filter by the electrically conductive via 18

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11160988B2Discrete cofired feedthrough filter for medical implanted devices

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 KYOCERA AVX COMPONENTS CORP

AI summary

Discrete cofired feedthrough filters are provided for medical implanted device applications. A plurality of discrete vertical feedthrough filter elements are respectively associated with a plurality of signal wires or pins otherwise supported by an insulating feedthrough and a ferrule. The resulting discrete device comprises a single-element device which is cheaper to make, and which reduces cross-talk between adjacent signal wires/pins while otherwise accommodating changes in feedthrough pitch without having to redesign the filter.