Electrode assembly for a microstimulator
View Patent ↗An electrode assembly includes an electrode electrically connected to a capacitor with a wire. A method of assembly for attaching a wire to a capacitor and an electrode may include an assembly carrier for housing and securing the wire, capacitor, and electrode during assembly.
1. A method of electrically attaching a wire to a capacitor and an electrode of a microstimulator, comprising:
providing an electrode;
forming a hole trough the electrode;
providing a wire;
preparing the wire to prevent the wire from slipping through the hole in the electrode;
threading the wire through the hole in the electrode;
providing a capacitor;
creating an electrical connection between the wire and the capacitor; and
electrically connecting the wire to the electrode.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
bending an end of the wire before creating an electrical connection between the wire and the capacitor;
creating an electrical connection between the bent end of the wire and the capacitor;
removing excess wire from the bent end of the wire after creating an electrical connection between the wire and the capacitor;
removing excess wire from the wire where the wire electrically connects to the electrode after electrically connecting the wire to the electrode.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein electrically connecting the wire to the electrode includes laser spot welding and wherein removing excess wire includes laser spot welding.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
securing the electrode wire, and capacitor in an assembly carrier before creating an electrical connection between the wire and the capacitor;
tightening an elevator screw on the assembly carrier to raise the capacitor until the capacitor touches the wire; and
vertically housing the electrode, wire, and capacitor in an assembly carrier before electrically connecting the wire where it exits the electrode.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing slack in the wire between the electrode and the capacitor.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing an electrode includes providing an electrode that is attached to a braze assembly.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein forming a hole through the electrode includes drilling a small diameter hole with a small diameter drill bit.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein preparing the wire includes at least one of: bending the wire, clipping another structure to the wire, and attaching at least one other structure to the wire.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein bending an end of the wire further includes bending the wire to a shape that permits maximum electrical contact with the capacitor.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is attached to a braze assembly of a microstimuletor.