Implantable Medical Device Connector Block Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for assembling implantable medical devices (IMDs) are complex, time-consuming, and costly, and they have limited capabilities in environments with moisture and contaminants, necessitating a simpler and more robust assembly method that can provide hermetic sealing.

Innovation Solution

The method involves directly mounting a connector block on a printed circuit board (PCB) with a filter capacitor embedded within the PCB, which is then encapsulated in an overmolded polymer material, eliminating the need for separate conductive terminal pins and conventional filter capacitors, and providing hermetic sealing capable of withstanding demanding environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate conductive terminal pins and filter capacitors are used with conventional assembly methods, then the IMD can be assembled with standard components, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector block is integrated directly onto the printed circuit board as a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate conductive terminal pins and filter capacitors. This merging of components simplifies the manufacturing process while reducing assembly complexity, directly resolving the technical contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If conventional component packaging and shielding measures are used, then components are protected from environmental factors, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from moisture and contaminantsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

An overmolded polymer material is used to encapsulate the connector block and printed circuit board, providing hermetic sealing that protects against moisture and contaminants. This flexible sealing approach eliminates the need for expensive metal shielding and conventional component packaging, achieving both reliability and cost reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are assembled, then functional requirements are met, but the overall device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter capacitor is embedded within the body of the printed circuit board, and the connector block is mounted directly onto the PCB, creating a nested compact arrangement. This nesting of components maintains all necessary functional capabilities while significantly reducing the overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3446748B1Implantable medical device and assembly thereof

Publication Date: 2019.10.23 CARDIAC PACEMAKERS INC

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5

AI summary

This document describes an apparatus including an implantable medical device having a printed circuit board. The apparatus can include a connector block for a lead terminal of the implantable medical device mounted directly to the printed circuit board.