Medical Device Header Guide with Convex Rounding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices, such as implantable pacemakers and defibrillators, often design headers in a way that electrode leads exit at undesired angles, leading to a risk of breakage by bending.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with a header that includes a convex rounding in at least one plane, allowing the electrode lead to exit without sharp bending, thus reducing the risk of breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the electrode lead exits the header laterally at a sharp edge, then the device design is compact and production is simplified, but the risk of lead breakage by bending increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice design compactnessVSAvoidlead breakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by rounding the inner surface of the header bore at the exit region. This rounded surface guides the electrode lead smoothly from the header without sharp bends, eliminating the stress concentration that would occur at a sharp edge while maintaining the compact device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If the header bore runs perpendicular to the long edge of the housing, then lead guidance is simplified, but the device cannot achieve compact design suitable for production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelead guidanceVSAvoidcompact design capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded inner surface of the header bore provides a smooth transition path for the electrode lead, enabling the lead to exit at optimal angles for compact device configurations without requiring complex external guidance structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If the electrode lead is guided along the side of the casing for relieved exit, then excess lead length can be arranged, but the lead is exposed to bending and breakage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelead arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidlead breakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded header bore exit provides an optimized exit angle that allows the lead to leave the header in a direction that minimizes bending, eliminating the need to guide the lead along the casing side while still allowing flexible arrangement of excess lead length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4552685A1Medical device, particularly implant, comprising a header guide

Publication Date: 2025.05.14 BIOTRONIK SE & CO KG

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a medical device (1), comprising a header (2) having an outer surface (2a), wherein the header (2) comprises a configured to receive a first electrical connector socket for receiving a first plug (30) of a first electrode lead in an axial direction (x) of the first electrical connector socket (3), and a first distal section (2) being formed in the outer surface (2a), the first distal (20) comprising an inner surface (21) and leading to the first proximal section . According to the invention, the inner surface (21) comprises a rounding (22) in at least one plane comprising said axial direction (x).