System and method for producing component for medical device

Abstract

A method includes applying a constant force to at least a portion of a component configured for use in a medical device and while the constant force is applied, subjecting the component to a temperature above ambient temperature for an amount of time sufficient to-improve the flatness of the component.

1 . A method comprising: 
 applying a force to at least a portion of a component configured for use in a medical device; and    while the force is applied, subjecting the component to a temperature above ambient temperature for an amount of time sufficient to improve the flatness of the component.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of applying a force to at least a portion of a component comprises providing the component in a fixture having a first plate and a second plate such that the component is between the first plate and the second plate and compressing the component between the first plate and the second plate.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first plate is coupled to the second plate by a plurality of bolts and the step of compressing the component comprises tightening the plurality of bolts.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of compressing the component comprises providing a weight on at least one of the first plate and the second plate.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of compressing the component comprises applying a force to at least one of the plates to compress the plates toward each other.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fixture is also configured for forming the component.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing a piece of sheet metal in the fixture and the step of compressing the component acts to form the shape of the component.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the component is formed of a material comprising titanium.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of subjecting the component to a temperature above ambient temperature comprises providing the component in a furnace, wherein the furnace is at a temperature of between approximately 900 and 1300 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of applying subjecting the component to a temperature above ambient temperature comprises heating the component to a temperature of at least 960 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of at least six minutes.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of subjecting the component to a temperature above ambient temperature comprises utilizing a vacuum furnace.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device is an implantable drug pump.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the component is an inner shield for the drug pump.  
   
   
       14 . A method for modifying the shape of a component for use in a medical device comprising: 
 providing a fixture;    providing a component for use in a medical device in the fixture;    compressing the component within the fixture; and    heating the component and fixture for a predetermined amount of time while, the component is compressed to modify the shape of the component.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the shape of the component is modified such that the flatness of the component is improved.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fixture comprises a first plate, a second plate, and a cavity provided in at least one of the first plate and the second plate.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of providing the component in the fixture comprises providing at least a portion of the component in the cavity.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of compressing the component within the fixture comprises compressing the component between at least a portion of the first plate and the second plate.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the component is formed of a material comprising titanium.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of heating the component comprises heating the component in a furnace, wherein the temperature of the furnace is between approximately 900 and 1300 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the fixture includes at least one fastener coupling the plates together and the step of compressing the component comprises tightening the at least one fastener.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of compressing the component comprises applying a force to at least one of the plates in a direction towards the other of the plates.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the predetermined amount of time is greater than approximately five minutes.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of heating the component utilizes at least one of a vacuum furnace and a thermocouple.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the component is an inner shield for an implantable drug pump.  
   
   
       26 . A method for producing a component for use in a medical device comprising: 
 providing at least a portion of a component for a medical device in a fixture configured to apply pressure to the component;    compressing the component within the fixture; and    providing the fixture and component in a furnace for a predetermined amount of time with the furnace provided at an elevated temperature;    wherein the component under elevated temperature and pressure conditions experiences creep behavior that results in the component having improved flatness characteristics.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the component is formed of a material comprising titanium.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the elevated temperature of the furnace is between approximately 900 and 1300 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the furnace is a vacuum furnace.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the medical device is selected from the group consisting of an implantable drug pump, an implantable neurological stimulation device, a pacemakers, a cardioverter, a cardiac contractility modulator, a drug administering device, a diagnostic recorder, and a cochlear implant.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the component is an inner shield for a drug pump.