Neurostimulation Connector Spring Clip Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connectors for neurostimulation systems are bulky, stiff, and expensive, limiting their ability to accommodate a sufficient number of contacts and conform to the natural curvature of the body, which is essential for aesthetic and comfort reasons in implantable neurostimulation devices.
Innovation Solution
An implantable connector design featuring an electrically insulative housing with spring clip contacts that securely engage electrical terminals, allowing for a lower-profile and higher-resolution connection, enabling more contacts to be integrated without increasing the connector's length, and utilizing a tubular seal for enhanced electrical isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional connectors are used for neurostimulation leads, then electrical connection is achieved, but the connector becomes bulky and stiff, limiting conformability to body curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple discrete contacts (e.g., 8-16 contacts) arranged in a compact circular or linear pattern within a small housing, allowing each contact to be independently positioned while maintaining overall compactness. This segmentation enables high contact density without increasing overall connector size, resolving the contradiction between connection resolution and profile size.
Solution Approach 2:
The contacts are nested within a compact circular housing arrangement, with contacts positioned radially or linearly within the confined space. The spring mechanism is integrated within the housing, and the lead interface is nested within the connector body. This nesting approach maximizes contact density while maintaining a small overall footprint, enabling conformability without sacrificing connection capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If more contacts are integrated into the connector, then connection resolution is improved, but the connector length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contacts are arranged in a two-dimensional circular pattern rather than a linear one-dimensional array. This dimensional change allows multiple contacts (8-16 contacts) to be positioned within a compact radial space, achieving high contact density without increasing the axial length of the connector. The circular arrangement maintains precise alignment while keeping the connector compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector employs a circular housing with contacts arranged in a radial pattern around a central axis. This curved, spherical arrangement allows contacts to be positioned at different angular positions while maintaining a compact axial footprint. The circular geometry enables high contact density without linearly increasing connector length, resolving the contradiction between contact number and length.
3Reliability
If traditional connector designs are used, then electrical connection is provided, but the connector becomes expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded contacts automatically engage with the lead terminals through elastic deformation, providing self-aligning and self-adjusting electrical connection. The spring mechanism compensates for manufacturing tolerances and wear, maintaining reliable electrical contact without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms. This self-service approach ensures connection reliability while simplifying the overall structure and reducing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector uses elastic spring contacts with controlled mechanical properties (spring constant, contact force) to achieve reliable electrical connection. By optimizing the spring parameters and contact geometry, the design achieves high connection reliability with simple structural elements. The parameter optimization allows reliable connection with fewer and simpler components, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining performance.
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 solution provides a more compact, cost-effective, and secure electrical connection, allowing for a higher number of contacts while maintaining a low profile, thus improving the aesthetic and comfort aspects of implantable neurostimulation systems.
Implementation Method 1
The contact includes a common portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the common portion. The legs respectively extend through the first apertures into the interior cavity, such that the legs firmly engage the electrical terminal therebetween when the lead body portion is introduced into the interior cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable connector comprises an electrically insulative housing including an outer wall, an interior cavity surrounded by the outer wall, a port through which the lead body portion can be introduced into the interior cavity, and a pair of first apertures disposed through the outer wall on a first side of the housing. The connector further comprises an electrical spring clip contact mounted to the housing. The contact includes a common portion and a pair of legs extending from opposite ends of the common portion. The legs respectively extend through the first apertures into the interior cavity, such that the legs firmly engage the electrical terminal therebetween when the lead body portion is introduced into the interior cavity.