Hyperboloid Electrical Connector for Implantable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical device connectors are large in size, complex to assemble, and prone to damage during connection, especially when handling miniature devices with multiple contacts, and often require irreversible processes like crimping or welding, which are difficult in operating room conditions.
Innovation Solution
A compact electrical connector assembly featuring a male element with sealed biocompatible contacts and a female element with a hyperboloid contact structure made of conductive wires, allowing for secure, low-force connections without damaging fragile insulating materials, and incorporating self-locking mechanisms for reliable sealing and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional crimping or welding processes are used to connect implantable leads to device headers, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the process becomes irreversible and difficult to perform in operating room conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into a male element with contacts and a female element with a receptacle, allowing separate assembly and connection. This segmentation enables the connection to be made without irreversible processes like crimping or welding, facilitating easy reconfiguration in operating room conditions while maintaining reliable electrical contact through the modular contact structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary connection mechanism between the male and female elements that allows for reversible connection without direct metal-to-metal welding or crimping. This intermediary approach uses a receptacle and contact structure that facilitates reliable electrical connection while allowing for easy disconnection and reconnection in surgical settings.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of implantable leads is increased to treat multiple conditions, then therapeutic capability is improved, but device size increases making it unsuitable for miniature implantable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design allows multiple contacts and leads to be nested within a compact structure. The male element with multiple contacts can be inserted into the female element's receptacle, enabling multiple electrical connections to be made in a space-efficient manner. This nesting approach allows increased therapeutic capability through multiple leads while maintaining a small device footprint suitable for miniature implantable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional contact arrangements and hyperboloid contact structures to pack multiple electrical connections into a compact volume. By arranging contacts in multiple dimensions rather than simple linear sequences, the design achieves high connectivity density without increasing overall device size, enabling versatile multi-lead functionality in miniature form factors.
3Reliability
If high insertion force is applied to ensure secure connection, then connection reliability is improved, but damage to fragile insulating materials and ceramic portions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates cushioning elements and compliant contact structures that absorb insertion forces before they reach the fragile insulating materials and ceramic portions. This beforehand cushioning protects vulnerable components from damage during connection while still ensuring secure electrical contact, maintaining both connection reliability and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the contact structures, such as using hyperboloid geometries and compliant materials, to distribute insertion forces across larger contact areas. This reduces peak stresses on fragile insulating materials while maintaining reliable electrical connection, solving the contradiction between connection force and material strength.
4Reliability
If glass or ceramic insulating materials are used to seal male contacts, then electrical insulation and sealing are improved, but the materials become prone to fracture during assembly and connection
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates cushioning and stress-distributing structures that protect the glass or ceramic insulating materials from fracture during assembly and connection. These protective features absorb mechanical stresses before they reach the brittle insulating materials, maintaining their electrical insulation and sealing functions while preventing catastrophic failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the insulating materials and their mounting structures, such as using hyperboloid geometries and compliant support structures, to reduce stress concentrations on glass or ceramic portions. This maintains the excellent electrical insulation properties while significantly improving resistance to fracture during handling and assembly.
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 connector assembly provides a reliable, compact, and watertight connection for miniature implantable devices with multiple contacts, simplifying the connection process and reducing the risk of damage during assembly, while maintaining high electrical reliability and ease of use in operating room conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The male contacts are sealed to the male element through a glass or ceramic sealing material
Implementation Method 2
A female contact of said socket comprises a contact structure comprised of a plurality of conductive elongated wires which extend along the internal surface of said female contact in a hyperboloid arrangement, thereby providing an electrical coupling between said female contact and the corresponding male contact in a plurality of points
Implementation Method 3
The electrical connector assembly may comprise self-locking means capable of firmly retaining the female element within the male element
Implementation Method 4
The female element may comprise sealing means for sealing said male contacts and said female contacts from the environment when the electrical coupling between the male element and the female element is established
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector assembly for coupling a first implantable device to a second implantable device, said assembly comprising a male element having one or more male contacts electrically coupled with the first implantable device and a female element comprised of a socket having one or more correspondent female contact electrically coupled with said second implantable device and adapted for receiving said one or more male contact. One or more male contacts are sealed to the male element through a glass or ceramic sealing material. A female contact of said socket comprises a contact structure comprised of a plurality of conductive elongated wires which extend along the internal surface of said the female contact in a hyperboloid arrangement, thereby providing an electrical coupling between the female contact and the corresponding male contact in a plurality of points.