Polymeric Housing with Conformal Coating for Implantable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices face challenges in sealing electronics and power sources from bodily fluids, as traditional hermetically sealed metal housings are expensive and may not be suitable for short-term use, and polymeric materials are less expensive but require additional sealing methods to prevent contamination.
Innovation Solution
A conformal coating is applied over the electronics module using techniques such as atomic layer deposition, which seals the module and prevents ingress of contaminants, allowing for the use of less expensive polymeric materials for the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hermetically sealed metal housings are used, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines polymeric housing material with a conformal coating layer to achieve both cost-effectiveness and sealing performance. The polymeric material provides structural integrity while the conformal coating provides the hermetic seal, creating a composite structure that resolves the contradiction between cost and sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The conformal coating acts as an intermediary layer between the polymeric housing and the electronics module. This intermediate layer provides the hermetic sealing function that would otherwise require expensive metal housing, allowing the use of cheaper polymeric materials while maintaining reliability
2Ease of manufacture
If polymeric materials are used for housing, then device cost decreases, but sealing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric housing is combined with a conformal coating layer to create a composite structure. The polymeric material provides cost-effectiveness and structural properties, while the conformal coating provides the necessary sealing capability, thus resolving the contradiction between cost and sealing performance
3Reliability
If conformal coating is applied to seal electronics module, then protection from contaminants is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sealing methods (such as metal housing with gaskets or welds) with a conformal coating application process. This substitution simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating complex mechanical assembly steps while providing effective contaminant protection through the deposited coating layer
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 conformal coating effectively prevents damage from bodily fluids, ensuring the longevity and functionality of the implantable medical device while reducing material costs by using polymeric materials for the housing.
Implementation Method 1
A conformal coating can be disposed over at least a portion of the electronics module using any suitable technique or techniques such as atomic layer deposition
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of an implantable medical device and a system that includes such device are disclosed. The device includes a housing including a polymeric material, and an electronics module disposed within the housing and having a substrate, a power source disposed on the substrate, and circuitry disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the power source. The device also includes a conformal coating disposed over at least a portion of the electronics module.