Flexible Interconnect for Implantable Coil Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable devices, such as cochlear implants, face challenges due to rigid connections between the coil and electronic housing, leading to clumsiness, difficulty in placement, especially in small children, and issues like wire breakages and skin breakdown caused by movement and curvature changes in the skull.
Innovation Solution
A flexible interconnect between the housing and the coil allows for repositioning and inductive coupling with external coils, enabling the coil to be placed externally and securely attached to the skull, using materials like PtIr, Au, Ag, Cu, Ta, and Nb wires, and insulating materials like silicone and Teflon, facilitating adjustment to the skull's curvature and growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid connection is used between the coil and electronic housing, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to skull curvature changes and growth is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the rigid connection with a flexible interconnect that allows dynamic adjustment. The flexible cable enables the coil to move and adapt its position relative to the housing, accommodating skull growth and curvature changes while maintaining electrical connectivity throughout the adaptation process.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rigid connection is used between the coil and electronic housing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ease of placement especially in small children is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the implant into separable components: a housing and a coil connected by a flexible interconnect. This allows the coil to be positioned independently on the skull surface after housing implantation, greatly simplifying the placement procedure especially in pediatric patients where skull curvature varies.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid connection is used between the coil and electronic housing, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the reliability is worsened due to wire breakages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the flexible shells and thin films principle by using a flexible cable instead of a rigid connector. This flexible interconnect can bend and deform without breaking, accommodating movement and pressure changes in the implantation site while maintaining electrical connectivity, thus significantly improving reliability against wire breakages.
4Device complexity
If a rigid connection is used between the coil and electronic housing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different implantation locations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the spatial relationship parameters (position, orientation, distance) between the coil and housing to vary dynamically. The flexible interconnect enables these parameters to be adjusted based on the specific implantation location and skull geometry, providing versatility across different implantation scenarios without substantially increasing device complexity.
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 flexible interconnect allows for secure and adjustable placement of the implant, reducing the risk of wire breakages and skin issues, enabling effective power and data signal transfer, and accommodating skull growth, making the implant more practical and comfortable for long-term use.
Implementation Method 1
the first coil may be capable, after being implanted in the person, of being arranged adjacent a second coil of a remote device, such that first coil and the second coil are inductively coupled. The first coil may be adapted to receive a power signal from the remote device.
Implementation Method 2
The first coil may be adapted to receive data signals from the remote device.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant for implantation into a person. The implant includes a hermetically sealed housing enclosing electrical circuitry. A first coil is flexibly coupled to the housing such that the first coil is external to the housing and capable of being repositioned relative to the housing. The first coil is capable, after being implanted in the person, of being arranged adjacent a second coil of a remote device, such that first coil and the second coil are inductively coupled. The first coil may be adapted to receive at least one of a power signal and a data signal from a remote source.