Implant Stacking Contacts for Simplified Automated Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical implants, such as pacemakers and defibrillators, face complex and costly assembly processes due to electrical connections between components that require angles of 90°, making automation difficult.
Innovation Solution
The components are arranged in a stacking direction with aligned electrical contacts, allowing for a parallel arrangement of the energy storage device, electronic module, and feedthrough, simplifying assembly and enabling automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical connections are arranged at 90° angles between components, then reliable electrical contact is achieved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 90° angular connections to collinear connections arranged in the same dimension (stacking direction). The first and second contacts are both oriented along the stacking direction, allowing components to be connected in a linear sequence rather than requiring angular transitions, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining electrical reliability
2Reliability
If electrical connections require 90° angles, then component functionality is maintained, but automation of assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By reorienting all electrical contacts to align in the stacking direction rather than requiring 90° angular transitions, the patent enables automated assembly equipment to connect components in a single linear motion sequence, significantly improving automatability while preserving all necessary electrical connections between battery, electronic module, and feedthrough
3Reliability
If components are arranged with 90° connections, then electrical connectivity is established, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies manufacturing by arranging all electrical connections in the stacking direction, allowing for more straightforward assembly processes and reduced manufacturing complexity. The collinear contact arrangement eliminates the need for complex angular alignment procedures, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity between all components
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an implant having a housing in which a stored energy source and an electronic module are arranged. A feedthrough towards an electrode connection device is formed on the housing, a first contact forming an electrical connection between the stored energy source and the electronic module, and a second contact forming an electrical connection between the electronic module and the feedthrough, and the first contact and the second contact being oriented in the same contact direction. The invention further relates to a method for assembling an implant.