Implantable Power Cable System with Locking Ring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable systems for powering implantable medical devices, such as blood pumps, face challenges in securement to the skull, ease of attachment and replacement, and minimizing trauma during these procedures, particularly due to the risk of infection and mechanical strain.
Innovation Solution
A cable system featuring a pedestal base with a post, an internal cable, and an external cable with a locking ring that securely attaches and detaches from the post, along with self-tapping screws and a microsphere coating for enhanced tissue ingrowth, reduces the force required for attachment and detachment, and minimizes trauma by providing a positive lock mechanism and tissue-friendly attachment methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid fixation to bone is used to prevent motion of the device, then stability and infection resistance are improved, but device complexity and surgical procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a skull-mounted pedestal base that provides stable fixation, and a separate cable assembly that can be independently managed. This segmentation allows the pedestal to focus on providing rigid fixation to bone for stability and infection resistance, while the cable portion handles power transmission, reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A pedestal base acts as an intermediary component between the skull and the cable system. The pedestal provides a stable, infection-resistant mounting platform that simplifies the overall system by separating the fixation function from the cable management function, reducing surgical procedure complexity
2Strength
If traditional cable attachment methods are used, then cable security is maintained, but force required for attachment and detachment increases causing tissue trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The locking ring incorporates a shape-memory alloy that dynamically changes its mechanical properties based on applied force. At room temperature, the alloy is more flexible, allowing easy attachment and detachment with minimal force. When cooled or activated, it becomes more rigid to maintain secure cable connection, thus reducing tissue trauma during manipulation while maintaining cable security
3Productivity
If self-tapping screws are used for skull attachment, then surgical procedure time is reduced, but risk of skull damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The self-tapping screws are designed with modified parameters including optimized thread geometry, appropriate length, and material selection that balances cutting efficiency with skull integrity. The screws are engineered to cut into the skull bone efficiently, reducing surgical procedure time, while their design parameters prevent excessive force application that could cause skull damage
4Power
If percutaneous leads are used for power delivery, then power transmission is achieved, but infection risk increases due to skin penetration trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the power transmission function from the skin penetration function. The pedestal base remains outside the skin providing a stable mounting point, while only minimal cable portions need to pass through tissue. This segmentation reduces the extent of skin penetration trauma and associated infection risk while maintaining power transmission capability
Data Source
AI summary
A cable system for providing power to an implantable device implanted in a patient having a pedestal base mountable to a skull of a patient. An internal cable extends from the pedestal base and is electrically connectable to the implantable device. An external cable is connectable to the post of the pedestal base. A locking ring is releasably mountable to the post and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the locking ring locks to the post to secure the external cable to the pedestal base and in the second configuration the locking ring releases from the post to release the external cable from the pedestal base.