Method and apparatus for automated assembly and laser welding of medical devices

• US 20050284850A1
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Boyd, Steven K.
• Application Number:
  US10/876,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20050284850A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/121.63
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/032 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/123 in an atmosphere of particular gases
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/24 Seam welding

Abstract

A method and system for assembling a component within a medical device that includes a test station to determine whether the component is in a predetermined working state, and an orientation sensor to sense an orientation vector of the component. A first sensor senses a position of the component within an aperture of the device and plots a weld path associated with the component. An installation head obtains the component, advances the component between the test station, the orientation sensor and the first sensor, and through the aperture, and a weld head generates a weld along a generated weld path.

Claims

1. A system for assembling a component within a medical device, comprising:

a test station to determine whether the component is in a predetermined working state;

an orientation sensor to sense an orientation vector of the component;

a first sensor to sense a position of the component within an aperture of the device and to plot a weld path associated with the component;

an installation head to obtain the component, advance the component between the test station, the orientation sensor and the first sensor, and to advance the component through the aperture; and

a weld head generating a weld along the weld path.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor to determine, in response to the sensed orientation vector, whether a distal tip of the component is within a predetermined range.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a microprocessor to determine a lead out of perpendicularity associated with the component in response to the sensed orientation vector, to control the installation head to position a distal tip of the component within the aperture a distance associated with a thickness of the device, and to vector the component through the aperture to compensate for the determined lead out of perpendicularity of the component.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a nozzle positioned on the installation head to form a vacuum to fixedly engage the installation head and the component; and

a second sensor to sense contact between the nozzle and the device as the installation head advances the component through the aperture.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second sensor to sense, subsequent to the component being advanced through the aperture by the installation head, a position of the component within the aperture; and

a microprocessor to compare, in response to the sensed position of the component, a diameter of the aperture with a diameter of the component.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a clamp having a seal member to fixedly position the component within the device subsequent to the component being advanced through the aperture by the installation head and to form a seal along an upper portion of the device, the weld head capable of being positioned under the device, the seal and the weld head forming a gas suite along the aperture.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a base platform;

an arm capable of being advance on the base platform to be positioned along a y-axis, the installation head mechanically coupled to the arm and capable of being advanced along the arm to be positioned along an x-axis and a z-axis;

a shaft positioned within the installation head;

a nozzle positioned on the shaft and capable of being rotated about the shaft, the nozzle forming a vacuum to fixedly engage the installation head and the component; and

a second sensor to sense contact between the nozzle and the device as the installation head advances the component through the aperture.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the component is a feedthrough.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a base platform;

an arm capable of being advance on the base platform to be positioned along a y-axis, the installation head mechanically coupled to the arm and capable of being advanced along the arm to be positioned along an x-axis and a z-axis; and

a shaft positioned within the installation head, the nozzle positioned on the shaft and capable of being rotated about the shaft.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the component is a feedthrough.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising an identification sensor to determine an identification of the device, wherein the installation head obtains the component in response to the determined identification of the device.

9. A system for assembling a component within a medical device, comprising:

a test station to determine whether the component is in a predetermined working state;

an orientation sensor to sense an orientation vector of the component;

a first sensor to sense a position of the component within an aperture of the device and to plot a weld path associated with the component;

an installation head to obtain the component, advance the component between the test station, the orientation sensor and the first sensor, and to advance the component through the aperture;

a weld head generating a weld along the weld path; and

a microprocessor to determine, in response to the sensed orientation vector, a lead out of perpendicularity associated with the component and whether a distal tip of the component is within a predetermined range, the microprocessor controlling the installation head to position a distal tip of the component within the aperture a distance associated with a thickness of the device, and to vector the component through the aperture to compensate for the determined lead out of perpendicularity of the component.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

a nozzle positioned on the installation head to form a vacuum to fixedly engage the installation head and the component; and

a second sensor to sense contact between the nozzle and the device as the installation head advances the component through the aperture.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a third sensor to sense, subsequent to the component being advanced through the aperture by the installation head, a position of the component within the aperture; and

a microprocessor to compare, in response to the sensed position of the component, a diameter of the aperture with a diameter of the component.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a clamp having a seal member to fixedly position the component within the device subsequent to the component being advanced through the aperture by the installation head and to form a seal along an upper portion of the device, the weld head capable of being positioned under the device, the seal and the weld head forming a gas suite along the aperture.

16. A method for assembling a medical device, comprising:

obtaining a component associated with the device;

determining whether the component is in a predetermined working state;

determining whether the component has a predetermined orientation;

positioning the component within an aperture associated with receiving the component;

determining whether the component is properly positioned within the aperture;

plotting a weld path associated with the properly positioned component; and

generating a weld along the weld path.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining whether the component has a predetermined orientation comprises:

advancing the component to be centrally located over a sensing device; and

determining whether a distal tip of the component is within a sensing range associated with the sensing device.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining whether the component has a predetermined orientation includes determining a lead out of perpendicularity associated with the component, and wherein positioning the component within an aperture associated with receiving the component comprises:

positioning a distal tip of the component within the aperture a distance associated with a thickness of the device; and

vectoring the component through the aperture to compensate for the determined lead out of perpendicularity of the component.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining whether the component is fully seated within the aperture.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein determining whether the component is properly positioned within the aperture comprises comparing a diameter of the aperture with a diameter of the component.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

fixedly positioning the properly positioned component within the device;

forming a seal along an upper portion of the device;

positioning a weld head under the device, the seal and the weld head forming a gas suite along the aperture; and

injecting an inert gas within the gas suite.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein determining whether the component has a predetermined orientation comprises:

advancing the component to be centrally located over a sensing device; and

determining whether a distal tip of the component is within a sensing range associated with the sensing device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein determining whether the component has a predetermined orientation includes determining a lead out of perpendicularity associated with the component, and wherein positioning the component within an aperture associated with receiving the component comprises:

positioning a distal tip of the component within the aperture a distance associated with a thickness of the device; and

vectoring the component through the aperture to compensate for the determined lead out of perpendicularity of the component.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising determining whether the component is fully seated within the aperture.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein determining whether the component is properly positioned within the aperture comprises comparing a diameter of the aperture with a diameter of the component.

26. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

obtaining a component associated with the device;

determining whether the component is in a predetermined working state;

determining whether the component has a predetermined orientation;

positioning the component within an aperture associated with receiving the component;

determining whether the component is properly positioned within the aperture;

plotting a weld path associated with the properly positioned component; and

generating a weld along the weld path.