Flexible Implant Stimulator Assembly Without Electrode Cables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional implantable tissue stimulators face mechanical failures due to stiff cables connecting electrodes to circuit boards, leading to issues like cables popping off, breaking, or kinking, which compromises the device's mechanical robustness and reliability within the body.

Innovation Solution

A monolithic electronic device design featuring a flexible circuit board with electrodes directly attached without cables, using joints made of materials like stainless steel or platinum-iridium, and attached via methods like laser welding or conductive epoxy, ensuring secure and flexible attachment for improved mechanical integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If cables are used to connect electrodes to the circuit board, then the device can be assembled with separate components, but the mechanical robustness and reliability deteriorate due to cable failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidmechanical robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrodes and circuit board into a single integrated unit where electrodes are directly attached to the circuit board without external cables. This integration eliminates the cable connection points that are prone to mechanical failure, while the flexible circuit board maintains the necessary electrical connections between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the cables from the system entirely. By eliminating the cable component that connects electrodes to the circuit board, the source of mechanical failures (popping off, breaking, kinking) is removed, while electrical connectivity is maintained through direct attachment methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If stiff cables are used to connect components, then electrical connections are maintained, but the device becomes unsuitably stiff and prone to mechanical failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible circuit board instead of stiff cables to maintain electrical connections. The flexible circuit board provides the necessary electrical connectivity while accommodating movement and deformation within the body, eliminating the stiffness problem associated with traditional cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a static, rigid cable connection to a dynamic, flexible connection system. The flexible circuit board can adapt its shape and flexibility based on the mechanical environment within the body, allowing the device to move with surrounding tissues without creating stress concentration points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If cables are used to connect electrodes, then components can be separately manufactured and assembled, but the device complexity increases due to additional connection components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent assemblyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple components (electrodes, circuit board, and connection mechanism) into a single integrated assembly. By eliminating the separate cable component and its associated connectors, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining the ability to manufacture and assemble the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances the device's mechanical robustness, reduces the risk of mechanical failure, and allows for easier assembly, making it more flexible and less prone to movement within the body, while maintaining optimized electrical and mechanical performance.

Implementation Method 1

the one or more electrodes are attached to the flexible circuit board via laser welding, soldering, or conductive epoxy application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser welding: Laser Beam Welding

Implementation Method 2

the one or more electrodes are attached to the flexible circuit board via laser welding, soldering, or conductive epoxy application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSoldering: Soldering

Implementation Method 3

the one or more electrodes are attached to the flexible circuit board via laser welding, soldering, or conductive epoxy application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConductive epoxy bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS12017080B2Implantable electronic devices

Publication Date: 2024.06.25 CURONIX LLC

AI summary

An implantable electronic device includes a flexible circuit board, one or more circuit components attached to the flexible circuit board and configured to convert electrical energy into electrical pulses, and one or more electrodes attached to the flexible circuit board without cables connecting the electrodes to each other or to the flexible circuit board, the one or more electrodes configured to apply the electrical pulses to a tissue adjacent the implantable electronic device.