Implantable Medical Device Connector Assembly Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies for implantable medical devices face manufacturing challenges due to complex dimensions and require improved ease of assembly and adaptability, with existing receptacles being difficult and costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly featuring a header with multiple grooves and dividing walls, where conductive contact ring elements and sealing rings are positioned in spaced-apart relationships, allowing for a reduced overall length and simplified assembly by using tubular rings and canted coil springs, and a method involving selecting and dropping components into pre-formed grooves in the header sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional connector assemblies are used, then electrical communication is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into separate modular components including header housing sections, contact elements, sealing rings, and insulating barriers that can be manufactured independently and assembled together. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing of individual parts while maintaining overall functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed to be adaptable with existing implantable medical devices through standardized interfaces and dimensions that comply with industry standards, allowing a single design to serve multiple device applications and reducing manufacturing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If traditional connector assemblies are used, then electrical communication is maintained, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Insulating barriers and positioning features are pre-formed in the header housing sections before final assembly. Contact elements and sealing rings are pre-positioned in grooves with guiding features that automatically align components during assembly, eliminating complex alignment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulating barrier elements serve as intermediary components that simultaneously provide electrical isolation, mechanical positioning, and structural support between conductive elements, simplifying the overall assembly process by combining multiple functions in single components.
3Length of moving object
If connector components are placed close together, then overall length is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector stack is segmented into discrete components positioned in separate grooves along the header housing, allowing each component to be manufactured to standard tolerances while maintaining compact overall length through optimized spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
Self-aligning grooves and positioning features in the header housing automatically locate contact elements and sealing rings during assembly, eliminating the need for high-precision manual positioning and reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining compact dimensions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional connector designs are used, then electrical communication is maintained, but adaptability to existing devices decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly incorporates standardized interfaces, contact element configurations, and dimensional specifications that comply with industry standards for implantable medical devices, enabling compatibility with multiple existing device platforms without requiring complex custom adaptations.
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 solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces manufacturing costs, and shortens the overall length of the connector stack, making it easier to integrate with existing implantable medical devices while maintaining effective electrical communication.
Implementation Method 1
A conductive contact ring element having a spring contact element disposed therein is positioned in a first groove
Data Source
AI summary
Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices having easy to assemble contacts is disclosed. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of contact rings, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore fore receiving a medical lead cable. Contact grooves for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together.