Implantable Lead Collet Lock for Tool-Free Secure Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical systems face challenges in securely connecting implantable leads to connector ports without the need for additional tools or complex mechanisms, ensuring stable functionality and preventing unintentional disconnection.
Innovation Solution
A collet assembly within the connector port, featuring an angled outer circumference and inner surface, along with bearings that frictionally engage the implantable lead upon insertion, providing secure attachment and allowing for easy release with a tool when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collet assembly with bearings is used to frictionally engage the implantable lead, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collet assembly automatically engages the implantable lead through friction between the bearings and the lead surface upon insertion. The system self-regulates the engagement force through the mechanical interaction of the angled outer circumference with the connector port, eliminating the need for external actuation or complex control mechanisms while maintaining reliable connection.
2Ease of operation
If the collet assembly is designed for easy release with a tool, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The collet assembly features a dynamic engagement mechanism where the bearings can move along the angled outer circumference. During normal operation, the frictional engagement provides stable connection. When a tool applies force to the proximal end, the bearings slide along the angled surface, reducing the engagement force and enabling controlled release. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt between stable connection and easy release modes.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bearings frictionally engage the implantable lead upon insertion, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the control over engagement force worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement force is controlled by changing the geometric parameter of the angled outer circumference. The angle of this surface determines the mechanical advantage and the resulting frictional engagement force between the bearings and the implantable lead. By optimizing this angular parameter, the system achieves reliable engagement without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the bearing dimensions themselves.
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
The solution ensures stable and reliable connection of implantable leads to the connector port, minimizing the risk of unintentional disconnection while allowing for easy removal when required, thus maintaining system functionality and ease of lead replacement.
Implementation Method 1
one or more bearings arranged about a circumference of the collet assembly and configured to contact the inner surface of the connector port
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an implantable medical device including a housing, a header, a connector port, and a collet assembly. The header can be arranged with the housing. The connector port can be arranged within the header and configured to couple an implantable lead to the header. The collet assembly can be arranged within the connector port and configured to frictionally engage a portion of the implantable lead and to secure the implantable lead with the header in response to insertion of the portion of the implantable lead into the connector port.