Weldless Bearing Retainer for Biostimulator Transport Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems for leadless cardiac pacemakers face mechanical failure and corrosion issues due to welds between dissimilar materials in the bearing and docking cap components, which can lead to mechanical weakness and erosion.
Innovation Solution
A weldless bearing retainer mechanism is introduced, using a bearing housed between the docking cap and the catheter, with annular retainers on opposite sides to constrain the bearing without direct attachment, allowing for robust mechanical support and reduced corrosion risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welds are used to secure the bearing to the docking cap and bearing housing, then the bearing is mechanically secured, but the system becomes susceptible to corrosion and mechanical weakness due to dissimilar material welding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bearing retainers as intermediary components that mechanically secure the bearing without direct welding to dissimilar materials. The retainers act as mediators between the bearing and the docking cap/bearing housing, providing a non-welded connection that eliminates corrosion risks associated with welding dissimilar materials while maintaining mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the welding operation from the bearing securing process. By removing the welding step and replacing it with a mechanical retainer system, the solution eliminates the harmful effects of welding dissimilar materials (corrosion and mechanical weakness) while achieving the same goal of securing the bearing through alternative means.
2Stability of the object's composition
If welds are used to attach the bearing to the docking cap, then the bearing is fixed in position, but the dissimilar materials create mechanical weakness and susceptibility to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing retainers serve as intermediary components that provide mechanical support and position stability without requiring direct welding between dissimilar materials. The retainers are configured to engage with both the bearing and the docking cap/bearing housing, providing stable positioning while avoiding the mechanical weakness inherent in welded dissimilar material joints.
3Reliability
If a weldless bearing retainer mechanism is used, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional retainer components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of bearing support, positioning, and retention into integrated retainer components that are part of the existing docking cap and bearing housing structures. By combining multiple functions into the retainer mechanism, the solution achieves corrosion resistance without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 weldless bearing retainer mechanism enhances the mechanical robustness and corrosion resistance of the biostimulator transport system, reducing the likelihood of mechanical failure and improving the reliability of the delivery and retrieval processes for leadless cardiac pacemakers.
Implementation Method 1
A bearing, e.g., a ball bearing, can be radially between the bearing and the docking cap to support such rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system for delivery or retrieval of a biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, is described. The biostimulator transport system includes a docking cap supported by a bearing within a bearing housing. The bearing allows relative rotation between a torque shaft connected to the docking cap and an outer catheter connected to the bearing housing. The bearing housing and the docking cap include respective bearing retainers that constrain the bearing within the bearing housing without a weld attachment. The weldless retainers of the biostimulator transport system provide a robust mechanical securement of the bearing that is not vulnerable to corrosion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.