Spring Contact Assembly for Implantable Medical Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable medical devices face complex and costly manufacturing processes due to the need for soldering or other labor-intensive techniques to establish electrical connections between components, which complicates assembly and increases production time and cost.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electrical contact assembly with spring contacts to connect the electronics module to the battery and electrodes within an elongated housing, eliminating the need for soldering and allowing for a simpler, faster manufacturing process while reducing device size and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soldering or labor-intensive techniques are used to establish electrical connections between components, then reliable electrical connections are achieved, but manufacturing complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical soldering process with a spring-loaded electrical contact system. The spring contacts provide reliable electrical connections through mechanical pressure and elastic deformation, eliminating the need for thermal soldering processes. This substitution maintains connection reliability while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring contacts are designed to automatically establish and maintain electrical connections through their inherent elastic properties. The springs self-adjust to accommodate component positioning variations and maintain optimal contact pressure without requiring precision alignment or additional fastening operations, enabling self-assembling manufacturing.
2Reliability
If soldering or labor-intensive techniques are used to establish electrical connections, then stable electrical connections are achieved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces time-consuming soldering operations with rapid spring-contact assembly. The spring-loaded system allows for quick insertion and connection of electrical components without requiring heating, cooling, or precise timing control, thereby dramatically increasing manufacturing throughput while maintaining stable electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring contacts are pre-configured with appropriate elastic forces and geometries to ensure immediate reliable connection upon assembly. This preliminary preparation of the contact mechanism eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment operations during manufacturing, streamlining the production process.
3Reliability
If traditional connection methods with multiple access points are used, then reliable component connections are achieved, but device size and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrical connection functions into a single integrated spring contact assembly. The spring-loaded structure combines mechanical support, electrical conduction, and connection stability functions in one compact component, reducing the overall device volume compared to traditional multi-component connection systems requiring multiple access points.
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
This solution simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces production costs, and enables the creation of smaller, more efficient implantable medical devices by eliminating the need for labor-intensive connection methods and allowing for a single-tube housing design that supports wireless charging and easier assembly without access to component joints.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical contact assembly with spring contacts to connect the electronics module to the battery and electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an implantable medical device includes a battery, an electronics module electrically connected to the battery, and an elongated housing comprising a side wall positioned between the battery and an end cap, wherein the electronics module is positioned within the elongated housing between the battery and the end cap. The implantable medical device also includes an electrical contact assembly comprising a first spring contact and a second spring contact. The electrical contact assembly of the implantable medical device is positioned within the elongated housing between the electronics module and the battery or the end cap.