Implantable Connector Compressible Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable connectors for medical devices face challenges in providing reliable and long-term electrical connections while allowing for the easy replacement of electronic components without disturbing the implanted neural interface.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a compressible electrical contact and a gasket that are compressed by a mechanical coupler to establish and maintain electrical connections between an electronics package and a neural interface, enabling easy replacement of the electronics package while keeping the neural interface in place, using materials like titanium or platinum-iridium alloy for durability and biocompatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid electrical connector is used to ensure stable electrical connection, then connection reliability is improved, but the device cannot accommodate component replacement or implantation movement
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into a fixed portion (implanted in the body) and a replaceable portion (electronics package), allowing the electronics to be replaced without removing the implanted neural interface. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both stable connection (through the fixed implanted portion) and component replacement (through the separable design).
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contacts are designed with compliance features that allow them to dynamically adjust to movement and deformation. The contacts can flex and re-establish connection after displacement, providing both reliability during implantation movement and adaptability for future replacements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a secure mechanical connection is used to ensure long-term stability, then connection stability is improved, but the connecting force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts incorporate compliance features that allow dynamic adjustment to movement and deformation. This enables the contacts to maintain stable electrical connection through flexible adaptation rather than rigid mechanical constraint, reducing the force required while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact geometry and material properties are optimized to provide adequate electrical connection with reduced mechanical force. The compliance features change the mechanical parameters of the connection from rigid to flexible, achieving stability with lower connecting force.
3Reliability
If multiple electrical contacts are used to ensure reliable signal transmission, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the complexity of the connector increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrical contacts are integrated into a single compliant structure or array that moves and deforms collectively. This merging approach maintains reliable signal transmission across multiple channels while reducing overall structural complexity compared to multiple independent rigid contacts.
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 ensures reliable, long-term electrical connectivity with low connecting force requirements and allows for the easy replacement of electronic components, reducing the need for frequent re-implantation of the neural interface.
Implementation Method 1
the compressible electrical contact is compressed so as to electrically connect the first conductive conduit and the second conductive conduit
Implementation Method 2
electrically connect the first conductive conduit and the second conductive conduit
Implementation Method 3
The compressible gasket is attached to at least one of the interconnect board or the feedthrough substrate. The compressible gasket extends about the compressible electrical contact.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable connector for connecting an electronics package and a neural interface is made by way of a compressible contacts (e.g., a spring) that physical contacts a corresponding exposed bond pad. The compressible contact is held in compression with the exposed bond pad using a mechanical coupler. The compressible contact is physically separated and electrically isolated from other contacts by way of a compressible gasket. The compressible gasket is also held in compression using the mechanical coupler.