Modular antenna for implantable medical device

• US 10,099,059 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2015
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Vajha, Sasidhar, Maile, Keith R., Larson, Dennis E., Chizek, David A., Edgell, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carey, Michael
• Application Number:
  US14/828,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20150357704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 607 36, 607 37, 607 57, 607 60, 604 19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0414 in a stacked or folded configuration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

Subject matter such as a method or apparatus can include an implantable antenna assembly, comprising a dielectric shell including first and second substantially parallel outer face portions, and a third outer face portion extending between the first and second portions, a spiral conductor extending along the first, second, and third portions on a surface of the dielectric shell. The dielectric shell and spiral conductor can be configured to be mechanically attached to a dielectric compartment, such as configured to be coupled to a housing of an implantable medical device. In an example, the implantable antenna assembly is configured to be electrically coupled to an implantable telemetry circuit configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna, such as included as a portion of an implantable medical device.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an implantable antenna assembly, comprising;

a dielectric shell including first and second substantially parallel outer face portions, and a third outer face portion extending between the first and second portions;

a spiral conductor extending along the first, second, and third portions on a surface of the dielectric shell, the spiral conductor forming an implantable telemetry antenna; and

wherein the dielectric shell and spiral conductor are configured to be mechanically attached to a dielectric compartment configured to be coupled to a housing of an implantable medical device; and

wherein the implantable antenna assembly is configured to be electrically coupled to an implantable telemetry circuit configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spiral conductor is configured to extend along an interior-facing surface of the dielectric shell.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spiral conductor is configured to extend along an exterior-facing surface of the dielectric shell.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric shell and the spiral conductor are configured to be contained at least partially within the dielectric compartment using a biocompatible material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric shell is configured to mechanically retain the spiral conductor using a stake.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the stake is configured to retain a portion of the spiral conductor when the stake is deformed.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the spiral conductor defines a hole through which the stake extends to mechanically retain the spiral conductor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric compartment includes a channel configured to mechanically retain the spiral conductor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric shell is configured to mechanically immobilize the spiral conductor when the dielectric shell is molded around at least a portion of the spiral conductor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the dielectric shell or the spiral conductor are adhesively attached to the dielectric compartment.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the implantable medical device including:

the housing;

the dielectric compartment, mechanically coupled to the housing and mechanically coupled to the implantable antenna assembly; and

the implantable telemetry circuit carried within the housing and configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable antenna assembly.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the dielectric compartment of the implantable medical device comprises a header configured to provide an electrical and mechanical connection to an implantable lead, the implantable lead including an electrode configured for location at a tissue site, and coupled to electronic circuitry within the housing to provide one or more of electrostimulation of tissue, or sensing of activity, at the site of the electrode.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising the implantable lead and the electrode.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spiral conductor comprises a planar spiral pattern including concentric turns.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the planar spiral pattern is folded so that a portion of the planar spiral pattern is located near, and substantially parallel to, the third face portion of the dielectric shell.

16. A method, comprising:

attaching a spiral conductor to a dielectric shell, the dielectric shell including first and second substantially parallel outer face portions, and a third outer face portion extending between the first and second portions, and the spiral conductor configured to extend along the first, second, and third portions on a surface of the dielectric shell; and

mechanically coupling the dielectric shell and the spiral conductor to a dielectric compartment configured to be coupled to a housing of an implantable medical device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the mechanically coupling the dielectric shell and spiral conductor to the dielectric compartment includes overmolding the dielectric shell or the spiral conductor using a biocompatible material.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the mechanically coupling the dielectric shell and spiral conductor to the dielectric compartment includes adhesively coupling the dielectric shell or the spiral conductor to the dielectric compartment.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein mechanically coupling the dielectric shell and the spiral conductor to a dielectric compartment includes producing a channel on the dielectric compartment, the channel sized and shaped to mechanically retain the spiral conductor.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein attaching the spiral conductor to a dielectric shell includes deforming a stake and penetrating the stake through a hole defined on the spiral conductor to mechanically retain the spiral conductor.