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Abstract
Implantable cardiac rhythm management devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators (ICD) sense and provide electrical signals to the heart using implantable leads. Lead is a complex flexible mechanical construction containing quite a few metallic components joined together in an electrical circuit which conducts electrical signals from heart to the device and back. The components of a lead must have reliable joints for mechanical strength of the construction and electrical continuity of the circuit. Most of the components are built from noble metals such as Platinum (Pt) and Pt alloys, and highly corrosion resistance alloys such as MP35N or stainless steel. They are usually joined together by welding or simple mechanical crimping. For the welding process, three factors contribute the most to the reliability of the product: Joint design, perfection of assembly and welding method and parameters. Joint design includes the choice of joining metals (weldability), geometrical configuration of the joint area and tolerance of the components. Properly designed welding joint makes the lead reliable and easily manufacture-able product with high yield. This presentation will discuss the peculiarities of welding of lead rigid components and combination of rigid and flexible components. Real life examples of weld joints where both components are made out of dissimilar but weldable metals will be outlined. Since implantable leads have very small and delicate components, portable Nd:YAG laser welding stations are very efficient for implantable leads manufacturing. Samples discussed in this presentation were welded using Rofin’s SWMP6002 portable Nd:YAG laser.
