# US 11,298,862 B2 · Molds for internal hermetic connector seals

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- Number: US 11,298,862 B2
- Document ID: US11298862B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/470,935
- Filed: 2018-03-21
- Published: 2020-03-12
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2017-05-30
- Assignees: Medtronic, Inc.
- Applicants: Medtronic, Inc.
- Inventors: Curtis L. Jones; David A. Bates
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298862B2

## CPC

- A61N 1/3752: {Details of casing-lead connections}
- B29C 45/2606: {Guiding or centering means}
- B29C 45/14065: {Positioning or centering articles in the mould}
- B29C 45/1459: {Coating annular articles}
- B29C 45/26: Moulds
- B29C 45/27: Sprue channels {; Runner channels or runner nozzles}
- B29C 45/34: having venting means
- B29C 45/36: having means for locating or centering cores
- H01R 13/5219: {Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal}
- H01R 13/5224: {for medical use}
- H01R 43/005: {for making dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof connection, coupling, or casing}
- A61N 1/3605: {Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system}
- A61N 1/362: Heart stimulators (heart defibrillators A61N1/39)
- B29C 33/123: {for centering the inserts}
- B29C 33/303: {centering mould parts or halves, e.g. during mounting}
- B29C 33/304: {centering cores}
- B29C 2045/14122: {using fixed mould wall projections for centering the insert}
- B29L 2031/26: Sealing devices, e.g. packaging for pistons or pipe joints
- B29L 2031/34: Electrical apparatus, e.g. sparking plugs or parts thereof
- B29L 2031/753: {Medical equipment; Accessories therefor (bloodbags, medical bags B29L2031/7148; artificial eyes B29L2011/0008)}
- H01R 2201/12: for medicine and surgery
- A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

An example mold assembly includes a first core, a second core, and a retaining cap. The first core defines an insert seat configured to receive a mold insert. The first core and the second core are configured to define a mold volume adjacent the mold insert. The retaining cap is disposed about a curved end portion defined by the second core, and defines a curved cap surface in contact with the curved end portion. The retaining cap is configured to secure the second core at a predetermined orientation relative to the first core within predetermined tolerances. An example technique includes positioning a mold insert in the mold assembly, disposing the retaining cap about the second core, securing the second core at a predetermined orientation relative to the first core within predetermined tolerances, and depositing mold material within the mold volume.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mold assembly comprising:
a first core defining an insert seat configured to receive a mold insert;
a second core defining a pin portion configured to contact at least a first insert surface defined by the mold insert, wherein the second core defines a curved end portion opposing the pin portion, and wherein the first core and the second core are configured to define a mold volume adjacent the mold insert; and
a retaining cap disposed about the curved end portion defined by the second core, wherein the retaining cap defines a curved cap surface in contact with the curved end portion, and wherein the retaining cap is configured to secure the second core at a predetermined orientation relative to the first core within predetermined tolerances.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, wherein the curved cap surface of the retaining cap is substantially concave; and wherein the curved end portion of the second core is substantially convex and conforms to the curved cap surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, wherein the curved cap surface of the retaining cap and the curved end portion of the second core define a ball joint configured to allow the second core to pivot relative to the retaining cap while securing the second core at the predetermined orientation within the predetermined tolerances.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, wherein the first core defines a first core pin, wherein the first core comprises a first core sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the first core pin, and wherein one or both of the first core pin and the first core sleeve define the insert seat.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The mold assembly of claim 4, wherein the first core pin abuts the pin portion defined by the second core.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The mold assembly of claim 4, wherein the first core sleeve is configured to restrict motion of the first core to motion along or about a longitudinal axis defined by the first core sleeve.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The mold assembly of claim 4, wherein the first core sleeve is secured to the first core pin by an interference fit between an outer first core pin surface defined by the first core pin and an inner core sleeve surface defined by the first core sleeve.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, further comprising a retaining sleeve defining a first inner sleeve surface disposed about at least the insert seat of the first core and a second inner sleeve surface disposed about at least the pin portion of the second core, and wherein the retaining cap defines a retaining surface secured about an outer sleeve surface defined by the retaining sleeve.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The mold assembly of claim 8, wherein the retaining sleeve secures the first core to maintain the predetermined orientation of the second core relative to the first core within the predetermined tolerances.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The mold assembly of claim 8, wherein the retaining cap is secured to the retaining sleeve by an interference fit between the retaining surface and the outer sleeve surface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The mold assembly of claim 8, wherein the retaining cap is secured to the retaining sleeve by a threaded fit between a first thread defined by the retaining surface and a second thread defined by the outer sleeve surface.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The mold assembly of claim 8, wherein the retaining sleeve defines an annular landing, and wherein the first core defines an annular lip, wherein the annular landing secures the annular lip.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The mold assembly of claim 12, wherein the first core sleeve of the first core defines the annular lip.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The mold assembly of claim 12, wherein the annular landing is between the first inner sleeve surface and the second inner sleeve surface.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, wherein the first core defines at least one overflow vent configured to remove air from the mold volume.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The mold assembly of claim 15, wherein one or both of the first core sleeve or the first core pin defines the at least one overflow vent.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, wherein the second core and the retaining cap define a runner fluidically connected to the mold volume to admit mold material into the mold volume.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The mold assembly of claim 17, wherein one or both of the first core and the second core define a fan gate fluidically connected to the mold volume and to the runner to admit mold material from the runner into the mold volume.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first core and the second core define a fan gate fluidically connected to the mold volume to admit mold material into the mold volume.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, wherein the mold insert comprises a first ferrule, a second ferrule, and an insulator, wherein the insulator secures the first ferrule to the second ferrule, and wherein the insulator electrically isolates the first ferrule from the second ferrule.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, wherein the mold insert comprises an internal hermetic connector segment.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, further comprising the mold insert.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

The mold assembly of claim 1, further comprising a mold material occupying the mold volume.

### Claim 24

A method comprising:
positioning a mold insert on an insert seat defined by a first core of a mold assembly;
disposing a retaining cap about a curved end portion defined by a second core of the mold assembly;
securing the second core at a predetermined orientation relative to the first core within predetermined tolerances such that a pin portion defined by the second core contacts at least a first insert surface defined by the mold insert and such that the first core and the second core define a mold volume adjacent the mold insert; and
depositing mold material within the mold volume adjacent the mold insert.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising allowing the mold material to set to form a molded seal secured to the mold insert.

### Claim 26 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising maintaining one or both of a temperature or a pressure within the mold volume within a respective predetermined temperature range or a respective predetermined pressure range.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising, after setting of the mold material:
separating the first core and the second core; and
removing the mold insert including the molded seal from the mold assembly.

### Claim 28 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, further comprising orienting one or both of the first core or the second core such that a first core pin defined by the first core abuts the pin portion defined by the second core, and such that one or both of the first core pin and a first core sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the first core pin define the insert seat.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The method of claim 28, further comprising securing the first core sleeve to the first core pin by an interference fit between an outer first core pin surface defined by the first core pin and an inner core sleeve surface defined by the first core sleeve.

### Claim 30 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24, wherein securing the second core at the predetermined orientation within predetermined tolerances relative to the first core comprises:
disposing a first inner sleeve surface defined by a retaining sleeve about at least the insert seat of the first core;
disposing a second inner sleeve surface defined by the retaining sleeve about at least the pin portion of the second core; and
securing a retaining surface defined by the retaining cap about an outer sleeve surface of the retaining sleeve such that a curved cap surface defined by the retaining cap contacts the curved end portion defined by the second core.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, wherein securing the retaining surface defined by the retaining cap about the outer sleeve surface defined by the retaining sleeve comprises providing an interference fit between the retaining surface and the outer sleeve surface.

### Claim 32 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, wherein securing the retaining surface defined by the retaining cap about the outer sleeve surface defined by the retaining sleeve comprises threading the retaining surface over the outer sleeve surface.

### Claim 33 (depends on 30)

The method of claim 30, further comprising securing an annular lip defined by the first core sleeve to an annular landing defined by the retaining sleeve.