Hermetically Sealed Optical Stimulation Lead Feedthrough
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable optical stimulation systems face challenges in providing effective and reliable optical stimulation, particularly in achieving a hermetically sealed housing for the light emitter to prevent fluid ingress and ensure long-term functionality.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical stimulation lead with a hermetically sealed optical assembly at the distal end, which includes a light emitter, a feedthrough assembly with ceramic blocks and metal housing, and an anchor for secure attachment to the lead body, ensuring a sealed environment for the light emitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetically sealed optical assembly is implemented to prevent fluid ingress, then the reliability and longevity of the optical stimulation system is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical assembly is divided into separate functional components: a light emitter housing, a feedthrough assembly with ceramic blocks, a metal housing, and an emitter cover. Each component can be manufactured and tested independently before assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving hermetic sealing through precise interfaces between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Ceramic blocks serve as intermediary elements between the light emitter and the external environment. These blocks provide hermetic sealing while allowing electrical feedthrough, mediating between the need for protection and the need for electrical connectivity without requiring complex sealing mechanisms.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a hermetically sealed optical assembly is implemented to prevent fluid ingress, then the longevity of the optical stimulation system is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly uses composite material structures combining ceramic blocks with metal housings and polymer components. The ceramic blocks provide hermetic sealing with inherent dimensional stability, while the metal and polymer components provide structural support and electrical connectivity, reducing the precision requirements for individual components through material complementarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates hermetic sealing mechanisms that are built into the manufacturing process itself, with sealing surfaces and interfaces designed to ensure protection against fluid ingress from the outset. This beforehand cushioning approach ensures longevity without requiring post-manufacturing precision adjustments.
3Reliability
If a feedthrough assembly with ceramic blocks and metal housing is used to seal the light emitter, then the reliability of optical stimulation is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedthrough assembly uses a nested structure where the light emitter is housed within a ceramic block, which is then positioned within a metal housing. This nesting arrangement allows each component to be manufactured separately using optimized processes for its material, while the nested configuration simplifies assembly by reducing the number of separate sealing interfaces required.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical stimulation lead includes a lead body including a distal end, a distal portion, and a proximal portion; and an optical assembly attached to the distal end of the lead body. The optical assembly includes a light emitter; a feedthrough assembly including at least one ceramic block, at least one feedthrough pin extending through the at least one ceramic block and electrically coupled to the light emitter, and a metal housing attached to the at least one ceramic block; a metal tube attached to the feedthrough assembly and disposed around the light emitter; and an emitter cover disposed over the light emitter and coupled to the metal tube.