Implantable Lead Interconnect System Using Cam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neuro-stimulation medical devices face challenges in designing compact and reliable mechanical couplings for implantable medical leads, diverting development time and costs from the neuro-stimulation and monitoring aspects.
Innovation Solution
An implantable medical lead interconnect system featuring a housing with a standardized electrical outlet coupling, pair of plates, biasing member, and cam, which selectively couples a linear array of contact rings to the electrical outlet coupling, facilitating secure and efficient electrical connections between medical leads and external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical coupling is designed to connect implantable leads to medical devices, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and development time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a fixed electrical outlet coupling integrated into the housing, and a movable plug assembly with connector pins. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall design and reducing development complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable plug assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the fixed electrical outlet coupling and the implantable lead. This intermediary component enables reliable electrical connection while isolating the complexity of the moving parts from both the housing and the lead.
2Reliability
If a mechanical coupling with moving parts is used to connect leads, then the connection reliability is improved, but the compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector pins and electrical contacts are nested within the housing structure, with the movable plug assembly fitting into the housing cavity. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall volume of the connector while maintaining all necessary moving parts for reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes the depth dimension of the housing by positioning the electrical outlet coupling on the distal end and allowing the movable plug to travel along the longitudinal axis. This dimensional arrangement accommodates moving parts without increasing the lateral footprint.
3Ease of manufacture
If a standardized electrical outlet coupling is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different lead configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical outlet coupling is designed with a standardized configuration that can interface with multiple lead types and configurations. The housing and coupling structure serve universal functions across different implantable neuro-stimulation devices, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining adaptability through the modular plug design.
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 system reduces development time and costs by providing a prefabricated electrical connection, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of neuro-stimulation device designs while ensuring secure and stable connections for medical leads.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing member is configured to bias the pair of plates towards one another
Implementation Method 2
A cam is configured to rotate between an open position in which the pair of plates are biased towards one another, and a closed position in which the pair plates are forced apart
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A medical lead interconnect system. The medical lead interconnect system configured to selectively electrically couple a linear array of contact rings of an implantable medical lead to an electrical outlet coupling, the medical lead interconnect system including a housing having an electrical outlet, a pair of plates position within the housing and having a plurality of connector pins and a locking mechanism, a biasing member configured bias the pair of plates toward one another, and a cam configured to rotate between an open position in which the pair of plates are biased towards one another, and a closed position in which the pair plates are forced apart.