One-Piece Contact Ring for Implantable Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical device lead receptacles face challenges in manufacturing complexity and increased electrical resistance due to the need for multiple garter spring contacts, which can lead to higher power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece conductive contact ring for implantable medical device lead receptacles, featuring a tubular body with resiliently deflectable elements that reduce the number of contacts required, thereby minimizing electrical resistance and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If garter spring contacts are used in lead receptacles, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and electrical resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the garter spring contact and ferrule into a single integrated one-piece contact component. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple parts while maintaining the electrical connection function, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly steps without compromising connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact component is designed with distinct functional zones: a ferrule portion for receiving the lead and a contact portion for electrical connection. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while being manufactured as a single integrated piece, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes.
2Reliability
If garter spring contacts are used in lead receptacles, then electrical connection is established, but the number of contact points increases leading to higher electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the garter spring and ferrule into one integrated contact, the patent reduces the total number of contact interfaces from multiple (spring-to-lead, spring-to-ferrule) to a single contact interface. This reduction in contact points directly decreases cumulative electrical resistance and associated power consumption in the implantable device.
3Reliability
If multiple garter spring contacts are used, then proper electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of garter spring and ferrule into a single monolithic component eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of multiple parts. This can be achieved through various manufacturing techniques such as injection molding, machining, or other forming processes, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring consistent electrical connection quality.
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 one-piece contact ring reduces electrical resistance, simplifies assembly, and enhances manufacturability by eliminating the need for garter springs, leading to more reliable and efficient electrical coupling in implantable medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
The deflectable elements have a lead contacting portion configured to contact the lead when the lead is received by the cavity. The lead contacting portions of the deflectable elements in a relaxed state are located in a plane that intersects the tubular body and are configured to deflect along the plane towards the tubular body as the lead is inserted in the contact ring
Data Source
AI summary
A one-piece electrical contact ring for use in a lead receptacle of an implantable medical device includes (i) a tubular body defining a cavity extending through the body and (ii) a plurality of resiliently deflectable elements extending from the tubular body into the cavity. The deflectable elements have a lead contacting portion configured to contact the lead when received by the cavity. The lead contacting portions of the deflectable elements in a relaxed state are located in a plane that intersects the tubular body and are configured to deflect along the plane towards the tubular body as the lead is inserted in the contact ring. The contact ring may further include a plurality of stops, each configured to (i) engage a stop portion of the elements when the elements are sufficiently outwardly deflected and (ii) inhibit further outward deflection of the elements when the stops engage the stop portions.