Leadless Pacemaker Housing as Battery Cathode
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in developing leadless stimulation devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, to achieve long battery life while minimizing device size, as existing designs often compromise between battery longevity and device compactness.
Innovation Solution
The design rearranges components to eliminate one or more layers, utilizing a conductive housing as both a cathode electrode and part of the battery terminal, with a larger anode electrode surface area exposed externally, and an internal battery configuration that allows for efficient voltage application between electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the device uses a conventional battery configuration with separate battery case and electrodes, then the battery life can be extended, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is merged with multiple functional components: it serves as the battery case, the cathode electrode, and the stimulating electrode. This consolidation eliminates separate components and reduces overall device volume while maintaining battery capacity and stimulation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The housing performs multiple functions simultaneously: structural containment, electrical conduction for stimulation, and battery terminal function. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device size without compromising battery life
2Volume of moving object
If the device minimizes size by reducing component layers, then the device becomes more compact, but the battery capacity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the housing, battery case, and electrodes into a single integrated structure, the device eliminates the need for separate layers for each component. The housing itself becomes the battery case and electrode, maintaining full battery capacity within a compact form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive housing extends along the longitudinal axis of the device, utilizing the length dimension to provide sufficient surface area for effective stimulation while keeping the device compact in cross-sectional dimensions. This dimensional optimization maintains battery capacity without increasing overall device volume
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 configuration enables a reduction in device size while maintaining extended battery life and effective stimulation capabilities, allowing for more compact and durable leadless stimulation devices.
Implementation Method 1
A battery may be situated inside the housing, the battery having a negative terminal and a positive terminal
Implementation Method 2
The first end and at least part of the side wall of the housing are conductive, and at least part of the housing that is conductive functions as a cathode electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable medical devices such as leadless stimulation devices that may provide longer battery life while minimizing device size. In some cases, having the outer housing of the implantable medical device serve multiple roles, such as the battery case for an internal battery, may permit reduced device size by eliminating one or more layers or components within the device.