HEAD PART OF AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE HEAD PART AS WELL AS A PLUG ASSEMBLY WHICH CAN BE FITTED INTO THE HEAD PART

Abstract

The invention is a head part of an implantable device, method of production thereof and a plug which can be fitted into the head part. The head part comprises a housing which has at least one blind hole plug contact socket with a socket opening as well as a socket base axially opposite the socket opening, along which at least one electrically conductive contact ring element and an electrically insulating, elastically deformable sealing ring, which are enclosed by a solidified casting compound, are joined together coaxially axially. Arranged within the head part is at least one second blind hole plug contact socket with a socket opening as a socket base axially opposite the socket opening, along which at least one electrically conductive contact ring element and an electrically insulating, elastically deformable sealing ring is located, which are enclosed by the solidified casting compound, are joined together in a coaxial arrangement and in an axially serial sequence.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A head part of an implantable medical device, comprising: a housing which has at least one first blind hole plug contact socket including a socket opening and a socket base axially opposite the socket opening, along which extends at least one electrically conductive contact ring and an electrically insulating, elastically deformable sealing ring which are enclosed by a solidified casting compound and are joined together coaxially in a sequence; at least one second blind hole plug contact socket within the head part including a socket opening and a socket base axially opposite the socket opening between which at least one electrically conductive contact ring element and an electrically insulating elastically deformable sealing ring are located which are enclosed by the solidified casting compound to be joined together coaxially in a serial sequence; the socket bases of the at least two plug contact sockets each being delimited by a connection at least partially enclosed by the solidified casting compound; and the connection includes a through channel which on both sides of the channel opens out into the blind hole plug contact sockets.

19. A head part according to claim 18, wherein: the through channel is hollow.

20. A head part according to claim 18, wherein: the through channel is partly filled with a light-guiding medium.

21. A head part according to claim 18, wherein: the through channel is filled with an electrically conductive medium.

22. A head part according to claim 19, wherein: a fluid pump is located along the through channel.

23. A head part according to claim 20, wherein: an optical device chosen from one of an optical amplifier, an optical filter, a switch, and at least one optical input and output is located along the channel.

24. A head part according to claim 21, the through channel contains one of an electrical component chosen from an adjustable electrical resistor or an electrical amplifier.

25. A head part according to claim 18, wherein: the connection which is at least partially enclosed by the solidified casting compound is located on at least one sensor for detecting a medium contained within or an electrical current flow in the through channel.

26. A head part according to claim 18, wherein: at least one sensor is at least one of electrically and mechanically connected to the at least one electrically conducting contact ring element.

27. A head part according to claim 25, wherein: the at least one sensor is selected from a group of sensors of ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, pressure sensors, Hall effect sensors, and a flow sensor.

28. A head part according to claim 25, wherein: the at least one sensor is connected to an evaluation and a control.

29. A head part according to claim 18, wherein: on sides facing the socket bases, the connection comprises a joint contour enclosing the through channel which has a media channel located within the plug contact socket coupled to the through channel without losses.

30. A head part according to claim 18, wherein: the housing is mechanically and electrically connected to an implantable pulse generator.

31. A head part according to claim 18, wherein: longitudinal axes of the first and the second blind hole plug contact sockets are orientated in parallel to each other with socket openings thereof opening on opposite sides or on a same side of the housing.

32. An implantable plug for insertion into the blind hole contact sockets according to claim 18, wherein: the plug assembly comprises a body has at least one interior hollow channel which at one end opens out at a distal end of the plug; and the plug body end has a joint contour which when the plug assembly is fitted within the plug contact socket provides a flush joint of the hollow channel to the through channel within the connection element.

33. A plug assembly according to claim 32, wherein: the hollow channel has a media channel through the channel contained in the connection.

34. A method for producing a head part according to claim 18, comprising: the connection, the at least one contact ring element and the at least one sealing ring are located along the first blind hole plug contact socket on a first rod-shaped assembly tool, and are joined to each other in contact along the first rod-shaped assembly tool by an axial joining force; the connection, the at least one contact ring element and the at least one sealing ring are arranged along the second blind hole plug contact socket along a second rod-shaped assembly tool, and are joined to each other in contact along the second rod-shaped assembly tool by a joining force; the connection, arranged and joined along the first and second rod-shaped assembly tool, as well as the at least one contact ring and the at least one sealing ring of the first and the second blind hole plug contact socket are at least partially enclosed by a solidifiable casting compound that is present in flowable form; and releasing and removing the first and second rod-shaped assembly tool from the connection and the at least one contact ring element so that the least one sealing ring of the first and the second blind hole plug contact sockets after solidification of the casting compound forms of matrix so that at least one part of the head part housing supports the axial joining force.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention will be described below without restricting the general inventive concept by way of examples of embodiment with reference to the drawings. In these:

[0031] FIG. 1 Shows a head part with an implantable device for electrical pulse generation as a connector variant.

[0032] FIG. 2 Shows a head part with an implantable device for generating electrical stimulation signals with a component within the connection means that influences the media flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a head part 1 that is combined with an implantable, medical device 2 designed as a pulse generator to form a component. Arranged in an axially serial sequence in the head part 1 made of a solidifiable casting compound are electrically insulating, electrically deformable sealing rings 3 as well as electrically conducting contact rings 4, each in alternating order. The sealing rings 3 as well as the electrical contact rings 4 encompass a blind hole-type plug contact socket 51, 52 which has a socket opening 61, 62 that is accessible on the outer wall of the head part 1. The socket bases 72, 73 which are opposite the socket openings 71, 72 are delimited by a common connection 8 that, for the production of the head part 1 and in particular for axially lining up the sealing rings 3 and electrical contact elements 4, functions as a mechanical counter-bearing for two assembly tools each used for assembly purposes. For this, the connection means 8 has a through channel 9 that completely passes through the connection 8, along which, at least in parts on the through channel openings, an internal thread 10 is incorporated.

[0034] Fitted into each of the blind hole-type plug contact sockets 51, 52 is a plug assembly 12, 13 finished in accordance with the invention which each comprise a plug body, adapted to the dimensions and shape of the plug contact sockets 51, 52, on the outer perimeter of which corresponding counter contact elements 15 are arranged corresponding to the arrangement of the electrical contact ring elements 4. Between the counter contact elements 15, electrically insulating plug body areas are provided. With regard to the electrical contacting of the plug contact assemblies 12, 13 within each of the blind hole-like plug contact sockets 51, 52 of the head part, the device illustrated in FIG. 1 does not differ from comparable plug assemblies of the type in question.

[0035] According to the invention, the plug contact assemblies 12, 13 has a media channel formed as a hollow channel 17, 18 that centrally projects through the plug body which in the area of the socket base 71, 72 flushly adjoins the media channel 9 opening into the blind hole plug contact sockets 51, 52 formed as a butt joint. Depending on the type and design of the hollow channel 17, 18 as well as the through channel 9, the connection between the through channel 9 and the respective hollow channel 17, 18 on the plug side, should be a low-loss or loss-free connection and provides transmission of the medium passing through the hollow channels. For this, at least one of an additional sealing and joint contour 19 is optionally introduced within the connection means 8 for a seamless transition between the hollow channels 17, 18 and the through channel 9.

[0036] The plug contact assemblies 12, 13 are each connected to an output line 20, 21, which in addition to the at least one electrical line, for electrical stimulation signal transmission, which is not shown, includes the hollow channel 17, 18.

[0037] The head part 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the first instance acts as a connector or connection part between two plug assemblies 12, 13, the hollow channels 17, 18 which connect to each other via the through channel 19 in a manner that is flush and loss-free for possible media transmission.

[0038] The example of embodiment shown in FIG. 1 shows two parallel and coaxially orientated plug contact sockets 51, 52, the openings 61, 62 of which open out on diametrically opposite housing sides of the head part 1. Equally, it is possible to provide two plug contact sockets orientated in parallel next to each other within the head part with the openings opening out at the same side of the head part 1. In this case, the through channel 9 passing within the connection means is semi-arched in order to connect the media channels on the plug side, that open out on the respective socket bases, to each other to be flush.

[0039] It is also possible to provide three or more plug contact sockets in the head part, which are each connected to each other with a through channel that branches off three of more times.

[0040] For the detection of the media passing through the hollow channels 17, 18, for example in the form of a gaseous or liquid fluid, light or electrical current, a preferred variant embodiment envisages the providing of at least one sensor 23 with the head part 1. Depending on the type and design of the sensor 23, it is arranged directly on, or integrated into the connection 8, and on at least one of the sealing rings 3 or on at least one of the electrical contact ring elements 4. The type and application of the at least one sensor 23 is guided by the medium being transmitted along the hollow channels 17, 18. The sensor 23 can be suitably selected from the following sensor types: Hall effect sensors, optical sensors, flow sensors, ultrasonic sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors etc.

[0041] In FIG. 2, in contrast to the head part 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, within the connection means 8 an additional component 24 is arranged along the through channel 9 which has an influence on the medium passing through the hollow channels 17, 18 as well as the through channel 9. In FIG. 2, structurally and functionally equivalent components which have already been described in connection with the example of embodiment shown in FIG. 1, are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0042] In the case of hollow channels 17, 18 which are fluid lines, the component arranged along the through channel 9 is preferably a fluid pump. Using the fluid pump, it is possible to convey, for example, intracorporeal fluid from one region of the body A to another region of the body B. Additionally, the component 24 can contain a filter for cleaning the fluid passing through the through channel 9.

[0043] It is also possible to provide the hollow channels 17, 18 as well as the through channel 9 with a light guide. In this case, the component 24 can be an optical unit, for example, an optical amplifier, an optical filter or switch or at least one of an optical coupling and output element. Possible in this context is the optical stimulation of the intracorporeal regions A, B with light, in addition to the electrical stimulation that can also be brought about by the implant. For this, within the implantable device 2, it is matter of providing at least one light source which is optically coupled to the unit 24. Equally, a photodetector can be contained within the implantable device 2 which is capable of detecting intracorporeal optical signals transmittable via the optical light guide.

[0044] Finally, in the case of an electrical lead along the hollow channels 17, 18 as well as the through channel, the component 24 can be designed in the form of an adjustable electrical resistor or an electrical amplifier.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0045] 1 Head part [0046] 2 Implantable device, IPG [0047] 3 Sealing ring [0048] 4 Contact ring element [0049] 51, 52 Plug contact socket [0050] 61, 62 Opening [0051] 71, 72 Socket base [0052] 8 Connection [0053] 9 Through channel [0054] 10 Inner thread [0055] 12, 13 Plug [0056] 14 N.N. [0057] 15 Counter contact element [0058] 16 Plug body area [0059] 17, 18 Hollow channel [0060] 19 At least one of a sealing and joint contour [0061] 20, 21 Output line [0062] 23 Sensor [0063] 24 Fluid, optical or electrical component