Movable Electrical Contacts for Implantable Pulse Generators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable transcranial pulse generators exert forces on vulnerable body parts, such as the skull, due to friction between connectors during assembly, which can cause loading and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A system with movable electrical contacts that can switch between a contact and non-contact position, eliminating friction forces during module insertion, allowing for zero force exertion on the body part, and featuring titanium or titanium alloy components for durability and MRI compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complementary connectors are used for direct electrical interconnection, then electrical connection is facilitated, but friction force is exerted on the burr hole during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts are designed to be movable between a contact position (for electrical connection) and a non-contact position (for insertion). This dynamic positioning allows the contacts to be separated during module insertion to eliminate friction forces on the burr hole, then brought together after insertion to establish electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The contacts are positioned in the non-contact position before insertion to prevent friction forces during the insertion process. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the harmful friction force that would otherwise be exerted on the burr hole during assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the module is firmly fixed in the box, then stability is improved, but force is exerted on the body part during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The movable contacts allow the system to transition from a low-force insertion state (contacts separated) to a stable fixed state (contacts connected). The contacts can be positioned in the non-contact position during insertion to minimize force on the body part, then moved to the contact position to establish firm electrical connection and stabilize the module.
3Reliability
If the contacts remain in contact position during insertion, then electrical connection is maintained, but friction force is exerted on the body part
Solution Approach 1:
The contacts are preliminarily positioned in the non-contact position before insertion to prevent friction forces during the insertion process. This preliminary action ensures that no friction force is exerted on the body part during insertion, while the contacts are ready to be brought together after insertion to establish reliable electrical connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (102) comprising a box (104) for implanting in a mammal body part (106), which box is provided with a first electrical contact (110, 121, 114, 116, 118, 120), and a module (108) for accommodating in the box, which module is provided with a second electrical contact (122, 124, 126) for cooperation with said first electrical contact. The first electrical contact and the second electrical contact are mutually movable, at least in a stationary accommodation of the module in the box, between a contact position in which said first and second electrical contacts are electrically connected, and a non-contact position in which said first and second electrical contacts are separated from each other.