Dome-Shaped Feedthrough Wire for Implantable PCB Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for accurate placement of printed circuit board (PCB) components within implantable medical devices (IMDs) to address space limitations and to establish robust, easy-to-make connections between components, particularly between the PCB and the header via feedthrough wires.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dome-shaped feedthrough wire with a platinum or niobium material, extending through the PCB and connected to a connector ribbon using laser wire bonding, ensures a consistent contact point and robust attachment, facilitating accurate and reliable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional straight feedthrough wires are used to connect PCB to header, then the connection can be made, but the contact point consistency is poor and manufacturing precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The feedthrough wire is formed with a dome-shaped tip instead of a straight or flat end. This curvature allows the wire to self-align and establish consistent contact with the PCB pad during the bonding process, significantly improving contact point consistency and manufacturing precision without adding complex assembly steps
2Area of stationary object
If space limitations in IMD housing are considered, then component placement is constrained, but connection reliability between PCB and header is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The dome-shaped tip of the feedthrough wire concentrates the contact area to a precise point on the PCB pad, ensuring reliable electrical connection even in the constrained space of the IMD housing. The curved geometry provides mechanical compliance that maintains consistent contact pressure within limited spatial constraints
3Reliability
If conventional wire bonding methods are used, then the bonding process is simple, but the attachment robustness is insufficient for implantable device requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The feedthrough wire is pre-formed with a dome-shaped tip geometry before assembly. This preliminary shaping creates an optimal contact surface that enhances bonding reliability during the subsequent laser wire bonding process, ensuring robust attachment without requiring complex bonding procedures or additional processing steps
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 enables precise and reliable connections between the PCB and the header, enhancing the manufacturing process by providing a consistent contact point and improving the robustness of the connections, thus addressing the challenges of space limitations and connection reliability in IMDs.
Implementation Method 1
a dome-shaped end adapted to be attached to a connector ribbon by laser wire bonding
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device can include a housing including electronic devices within the housing; a header attached to the housing and including one or more bores; and a feedthrough assembly between the housing and the header; wherein the electronic devices include a PCB electronically connected to the header by a feedthrough wire running from the feedthrough assembly to the PCB, wherein the feedthrough wire extends through the PCB and includes a dome-shaped end adapted to be attached to a connector ribbon by laser wire bonding.