Multilayer Titanium Nitride Coating for Implantable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) face challenges in reducing post-shock recovery time while maintaining capacitance and improving color and abrasion characteristics, as previous approaches with single titanium nitride layers either prioritize capacitance or surface properties, but not both.
Innovation Solution
A conductive coating comprising a layer of large grain titanium nitride and a layer of small grain titanium nitride is applied to the IMD, including an adhesion layer, a titanium nitride base layer, a titanium intermediate layer, and a titanium nitride top layer, which increases surface area and enhances electrical properties, reducing impedance and improving post-shock recovery time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single homogenous titanium nitride layer with coarse grain structure, large branching and high porosity is used, then capacitance is increased, but color and abrasion characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is divided into multiple distinct layers with different grain structures. The base layer has large grain size and high porosity for capacitance, while the top layer has fine grain size and low porosity for color and abrasion resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the coating have different properties tailored to their functional requirements. The base layer region is designed with large grains and high porosity to maximize capacitance, while the top layer region is designed with fine grains and low porosity to maximize color stability and abrasion resistance. Each local region has optimized quality for its specific purpose.
2Reliability
If a single homogenous titanium nitride layer with fine grain structure, limited branching and dominantly columnar structure is used, then color and abrasion characteristics are improved, but capacitance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is divided into multiple distinct layers with different grain structures. The base layer has large grain size and high porosity for capacitance, while the top layer has fine grain size and low porosity for color and abrasion resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the coating have different properties tailored to their functional requirements. The base layer region is designed with large grains and high porosity to maximize capacitance, while the top layer region is designed with fine grains and low porosity to maximize color stability and abrasion resistance. Each local region has optimized quality for its specific purpose.
3Reliability
If the coating surface area is increased to decrease impedance and improve post-shock recovery, then electrical properties are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is divided into multiple distinct layers with different grain structures. The base layer has large grain size and high porosity for capacitance, while the top layer has fine grain size and low porosity for color and abrasion resistance. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating uses a composite structure combining titanium nitride layers with different grain sizes and porosity characteristics. This composite approach integrates multiple material properties within a single coating system, achieving enhanced electrical performance and durability while maintaining a manageable manufacturing process through sequential deposition.
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 coating decreases post-shock recovery time while maintaining desirable color and abrasion characteristics, allowing IMDs to rapidly resume sensing cardiac or neurological signals after therapy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The coating can include an adhesion layer formed on at least a portion of the metallic outer surface
Implementation Method 2
a titanium nitride base layer formed on at least a portion of the adhesion layer, a titanium intermediate layer formed on at least a portion of the titanium nitride base layer, and a titanium nitride top layer formed on at least a portion of the titanium intermediate layer
Data Source
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AI summary
An implantable medical device including a coating and associated method are disclosed. The implantable medical device can include a metallic housing. An adhesion layer formed on at least a portion of the metallic housing. A titanium nitride base layer formed on at least a portion of the adhesion layer. An intermediate layer formed on at least a portion of the titanium nitride base layer, and a titanium nitride top layer formed on at least a portion of the intermediate layer.