Metallic Weld Connector Enclosure Hermetic Seal Can Housing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices face challenges in achieving strong attachment between the connector enclosure and the can without relying on medical adhesive, while also maintaining a compact size and hermetic seal, especially as devices become thinner and feature reductions are desired.

Innovation Solution

A metallic weld is established between the metallic edge of the can and the metallic base of the connector enclosure, providing a strong attachment and hermetic seal without the need for medical adhesive, using techniques like laser seam welding to bond the components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If medical adhesive is used to attach the connector enclosure to the can, then attachment is achieved, but the attachment strength is insufficient for thinner devices and the device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical bonding (medical adhesive) with a metallic weld (mechanical/thermal bonding process). The weld creates a direct metallurgical bond between the can and connector enclosure, eliminating the need for adhesive layers and associated features, thereby reducing device volume while providing superior attachment strength suitable for thinner devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bonding mechanism from chemical (adhesive) to metallurgical (weld). This parameter change enables direct metal-to-metal bonding between the can and connector enclosure, achieving stronger attachment without requiring additional space for adhesive application and curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If barbs, pins, or other engagement features are added to the can to attach the connector enclosure, then attachment strength is improved, but the device volume and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical engagement features (barbs, pins, straps) with a welding process. The weld creates a direct bond between the can and connector enclosure without requiring any protruding features or complex mechanical interlocking structures, thereby simplifying the device design while maintaining strong attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the attachment function with the base structure itself. Instead of adding separate engagement features to the can, the welding process directly bonds the connector enclosure to the can's existing structure, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If barbs, pins, or other engagement features are added to the can to attach the connector enclosure, then attachment is achieved, but the device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical engagement features (barbs, pins, straps) with a welding process. The weld creates a direct bond between the can and connector enclosure without requiring any protruding features or complex mechanical interlocking structures, thereby simplifying the device design while maintaining strong attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the attachment function with the base structure itself. Instead of adding separate engagement features to the can, the welding process directly bonds the connector enclosure to the can's existing structure, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Strength

If medical adhesive is used between the can and connector enclosure, then attachment is achieved, but hermetic sealing may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidhermetic seal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical bonding (medical adhesive) with a metallic weld (mechanical/thermal bonding process). The weld creates a direct metallurgical bond between the can and connector enclosure, eliminating the need for adhesive layers and associated features, thereby reducing device volume while providing superior attachment strength suitable for thinner devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bonding mechanism from chemical (adhesive) to metallurgical (weld). This parameter change enables direct metal-to-metal bonding between the can and connector enclosure, achieving stronger attachment without requiring additional space for adhesive application and curing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach ensures a robust and compact medical device with a hermetic seal, enhancing attachment strength and reducing the device volume, while eliminating the need for features like barbs and pins, thus addressing the limitations of existing attachment methods.

Implementation Method 1

creating a metallic weld between the contact of the metallic edge of the can and the metallic base of the connector enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2658598B1Medical devices including connector enclosures with a metallic weld to a can housing circuitry

Publication Date: 2017.02.15 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

Medical devices provide connector enclosures that have a metallic portion that has a metallic weld to a metallic portion of a can that houses medical circuitry. The connector enclosure may have a metallic base that receives the metallic weld to the can. The can may have an open top that is capped by the metallic base of the connector enclosure upon mounting the connector enclosure to the can, and the metallic weld to the base of the connector enclosure may create a hermetic seal for the can. The metallic base may provide feedthrough pin passageways where feedthrough pins are present within the connector enclosure and are exposed beyond the metallic base for connection to medical circuitry within the can. The connector enclosure may also include additional metal features where an enclosure for the lead connectors may have walls that are entirely metal.