Implantable Head Part With Media Channel and Plug Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices for electrical stimulation lack the capability to deliver additional therapeutic modalities such as fluids or light without increasing their size or compromising their electrical functionality.
Innovation Solution
The head part of the implantable medical device is modified to include a media channel that can be used to deliver fluids or light, integrated with a plug assembly that allows for the transmission of both electrical signals and media, while maintaining the device's compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the device structure is modified to include media channels for fluid or light delivery, then the therapeutic capabilities are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple therapeutic modalities (electrical stimulation via contact rings and media delivery via channels) into a single integrated head part structure. The media channels are formed within the same housing that contains the electrical contact rings, merging previously separate functions into one unified device component.
Solution Approach 2:
The head part is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical stimulation through conductive contact rings while also delivering fluids or light through integrated media channels. This multi-functional design allows a single device to address various therapeutic needs without requiring separate implants.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional media channels are integrated into the head part, then the device can deliver fluids or light, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The media channels are formed within the housing structure before the final assembly of the head part. By pre-forming the channels as integral parts of the housing (through machining, molding, or other fabrication methods), the patent eliminates the need for separate channel installation steps, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the added functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the head part structure is modified to accommodate media channels, then additional therapeutic modalities are enabled, but the electrical functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material properties and structural characteristics to different regions of the head part: electrical contact rings are provided with conductive properties for electrical stimulation, while media channels are designed with appropriate dimensions and surface characteristics for fluid or light transport. This localized differentiation ensures that each function operates reliably without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure acts as an intermediary that separates and isolates the electrical contact rings from the media channels. By providing physical and electrical isolation between these two functional systems within the same head part, the housing prevents interference between electrical and media delivery functions, maintaining the reliability of both modalities.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to a head part of an implantable device, its method of production and a plug assembly which can be fitted into the head part. The head part comprises a head part housing which has at least one blind hole plug contact socket with a socket opening and a socket base axially opposite the socket opening, along which at least one electrically conductive contact ring element and an electrically insulating, elastically deformable seal ring is positioned and which are enclosed by a solidified casting compound, are joined together in a coaxial arrangement and in an axially serial sequence.