Slotted Member for Implantable Lead Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical leads face challenges in manufacturing complexity and alignment accuracy of electrical elements, leading to potential misalignment and compromised sensing or stimulation effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The use of a slotted member with longitudinally elongated slots and positioning features facilitates the accurate placement and alignment of electrical elements, with conductors placed within slots and polymer fill encapsulation for mechanical and electrical coupling, enhancing the structural integrity and ease of insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional lead construction methods are used, then manufacturing process is complex and alignment of electrical elements is difficult, but structural integrity and alignment accuracy are maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The slotted member is prepared in advance with pre-formed slots and positioning features before assembly. The slots are precisely formed with positioning features (such as ridges or bumps) at specific locations that will later guide and secure the electrical elements, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during final assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The slotted member acts as an intermediary component between the electrical elements and the lead body. It provides a structured framework with pre-defined pathways (slots) and positioning features that mediate the alignment process, making it easier to assemble electrical elements with precise positioning without requiring complex direct alignment between all components
2Ease of operation
If lead end is made stiff for easier insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but flexibility of lead body is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lead is divided into functionally distinct segments: a stiff proximal end portion containing the slotted member for easy insertion and handling, and a flexible distal end portion for navigating body cavities. The slotted member itself is segmented with multiple slots to accommodate conductors while maintaining structural rigidity in the proximal region
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lead have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The proximal end (containing the slotted member) is made stiff to facilitate insertion and provide structural support during implantation, while the distal end is made flexible to allow navigation through tortuous anatomical paths. This localized differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between insertion ease and body flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of this disclosure concern a lead end containing a slotted member. A slotted member can have a plurality of slots extending along at least a portion of the length of the slotted member, each of the slots having a respective positioning feature, the plurality of slots having a plurality of positioning features at different longitudinal positions along the length of the slotted member. The lead end can further include a plurality of conductors at least partially within the plurality of slots, each slot of the plurality of slots containing at least a respective one of the plurality of conductors, the plurality of conductors electrically connecting exposed electrical elements of both ends of the lead.