Implant Encapsulant Getter Blend for Hydrogen and Moisture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices face challenges in effectively managing hydrogen gas and water molecules within their hermetically sealed enclosures, which can lead to damage and increased design and manufacturing complexity due to the use of discrete hydrogen getters and desiccant materials.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hydrogen getter system comprising a blend of organic and metal oxide materials suspended in a thermoplastic styrenic elastomer carrier, which is dispensed within the device enclosure, providing efficient hydrogen absorption and water management without the need for discrete components, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete hydrogen getters and desiccant materials are used, then hydrogen gas and water molecules can be managed, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hydrogen getter material and desiccant material into a single integrated encapsulant layer that surrounds the operational circuitry. This merging eliminates the need for separate discrete components, reducing device complexity and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to manage both hydrogen gas and water molecules effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The encapsulant layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation, mechanical support, and both hydrogen absorption (via getter material) and water absorption (via desiccant material). This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall device structure
2Reliability
If discrete hydrogen getters are used, then hydrogen gas can be absorbed, but the number of components and manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen getter material is integrated directly into the encapsulant layer formulation, allowing it to be applied as a single coating process rather than requiring separate placement of discrete getter components. This merging simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining effective hydrogen absorption capability
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogen getter material is pre-mixed into the encapsulant composition before application, so that the functional properties are built into the material itself during manufacturing preparation, eliminating the need for subsequent separate getter installation steps
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
This solution effectively absorbs hydrogen gas and manages water molecules, reducing the risk of damage to internal components and simplifying the manufacturing process by integrating the getter material into the encapsulant layer, thus enhancing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of implantable medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first getter material formed of an organic material... wherein the first getter material is formed of a fatty acid
Implementation Method 2
a second getter material formed of a metal oxide
Implementation Method 3
desiccant material inside the housing, the desiccant material adapted to absorb water molecules
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable medical devices including a housing that contains operational circuitry for the implantable medical device and a dispensed hydrogen getter. The hydrogen getter may include a getter carrier material and one or more getter materials carried as suspensions in the getter carrier material, with the getter materials taking the form of organic compounds, such as fatty acids, or powdered metal oxides, or combinations thereof. The hydrogen getter may instead be comprised of two fatty acids having different melt temperatures. The hydrogen getter may be dispensed onto an encapsulant layer or other component of the implantable medical device, or may be blended into an encapsulant layer.