Proximal Connector Reflowed Insulative Element Hermetic Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guidewire assemblies face challenges in providing a reliable electrical connection between sensors and external devices while preventing fluid or moisture from contacting internal electrical components, which can lead to electrical shorts, and they often lack sufficient rigidity and uniform alignment for effective medical device delivery.
Innovation Solution
A guidewire assembly with a proximal connector featuring reflowed insulative elements that create a hermetic seal with electrical contacts, ensuring isolation from external fluids and providing the necessary rigidity and alignment for effective medical procedures, manufactured through a process involving a heat shrink tube to securely bond the insulative elements with the electrical contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a proximal connector with electrical contacts is used to transfer power and signals, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but the risk of fluid or moisture causing electrical shorts increases
Solution Approach 1:
An insulative element is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrical contacts and the external environment. This insulative element creates a physical barrier that prevents fluid or moisture from contacting the electrical contacts, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the electrical connection function
Solution Approach 2:
The insulative element functions as a protective shell or barrier that envelops or surrounds the electrical contacts. This shell structure provides continuous protection against fluid and moisture ingress, preventing electrical shorts while allowing the electrical contacts to maintain their connection reliability
2Reliability
If insulative elements are bonded to electrical contacts to prevent fluid ingress, then protection against electrical shorts is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulative element and electrical contact are combined into a single integrated assembly through bonding. This merging of components simplifies the overall structure and reduces the number of separate parts that need to be handled during manufacturing, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining protection against electrical shorts
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding process utilizes phase transition (such as melting and solidification of adhesive material) to permanently join the insulative element to the electrical contact. This creates a hermetic seal that prevents fluid ingress while establishing a strong, permanent bond that simplifies the assembled structure
3Reliability
If a proximal connector is designed with multiple electrical contacts and insulative elements, then electrical isolation is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrical contacts and insulative elements are merged into a single integrated proximal connector assembly. This integration ensures that all components are pre-aligned during manufacturing, reducing the need for precise field alignment and simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining electrical isolation
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal connector is designed with homogeneous material properties and uniform structural characteristics, where the insulative elements and electrical contacts are consistently positioned and sized. This homogeneity reduces variability in alignment requirements and simplifies manufacturing precision demands
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 sealed, rigid, and concentrically aligned proximal connector that prevents moisture from contacting internal electrical components, enhancing the reliability of electrical connections and the efficiency of medical device delivery, while also streamlining the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
heating the heat shrink tube and the proximal connector to reflow the insulative element so as to couple the insulative element to the electrical contact
Implementation Method 2
heating the heat shrink tube and the proximal connector to reflow the insulative element
Implementation Method 3
The isolated area(s) are generally bonded or sealed to an insulative element so as to prevent liquid or moisture from entering the internal portion of the guidewire
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an improved guidewire assembly including a sensor disposed on a distal portion thereof and a proximal connector disposed on a proximal portion thereof for electrically coupling the guidewire assembly to an external device. The proximal connector comprises at least one proximal contact and at least one reflowed insulative element disposed adjacent the at least one proximal contact.