Hermetic Feedthrough Coating for Tissue-Fluid Tight Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active medical implants face challenges in achieving high tightness and preventing tissue fluid permeation, while also requiring a simpler and more cost-efficient production process.
Innovation Solution
A process for producing electrical medical implants involves coating an electrical component with a layer using aerosol deposition or CVD, preferably according to the Gorham process, to enhance tightness and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional welding flange and soldering processes are used to assemble electrical feedthroughs, then structural strength is achieved, but the production process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the electrical component directly into the housing structure, eliminating the separate welding flange and soldering steps. The component is molded directly into the housing cavity, combining multiple assembly operations into a single injection molding process, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical protection, electrical insulation, and direct mounting for the electrical component. The integrated design makes the housing a multi-functional element that replaces several separate components and assembly steps
2Productivity
If traditional welding and soldering processes are used, then structural integrity is achieved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical component is pre-positioned and integrated into the housing mold cavity before the injection molding process begins. This preliminary preparation allows the component to be permanently fixed during the molding process itself, eliminating subsequent assembly steps and reducing overall production cycle time
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple manufacturing operations (component fixation, housing formation, and sealing) are merged into a single injection molding process, significantly reducing the number of production steps and accelerating manufacturing throughput
3Reliability
If electrical components are exposed to tissue and tissue fluid, then direct electrical connection is maintained, but component damage and tissue impact occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hermetic sealing layer (such as parylene coating) on the electrical component that acts as a protective barrier against tissue fluid permeation. This thin film maintains component reliability by preventing harmful substances from reaching the electrical elements while allowing the component to function within the implantable device
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 proposed solution achieves improved tightness and reduced weight in electrical medical implants, with a helium leak rate of less than 1×10−9 mbar*L/s, and a simpler, more cost-efficient production process.
Implementation Method 1
the coating of the electrical component takes place with the help of aerosol deposition or CVD
Implementation Method 2
the coating of the electrical component takes place with the help of aerosol deposition or CVD
Implementation Method 3
CVD, preferably according to the Gorham process
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect relates to a process for producing an electrical medical implant, comprising the following steps: a. providing an electrical feedthrough, which comprises a substrate, an electrical component, and a contact element; b. coating the electrical component with a layer.