Header with integral antenna for implantable medical devices

• US 20100019985A1
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Angel Medical Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Angel Medical Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Bashyam, Jacob, Long, James, Johnson, Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US12/219,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20100019985A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/873
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37518 Anchoring of the implants, e.g. fixation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3758 Packaging of the components within the casing
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• 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 1/362 for broadside radiating helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0421 with a shorting wall or a shorting pin at one end of the element H01Q9/0414 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/26 with folded element or elements, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of operating wavelength resonant loop antennas H01Q7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/42 with folded element, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of the operating wavelength

Abstract

Antenna assemblies for an implantable medical device are disclosed. The implantable medical device comprises a hermetically sealed housing, typically formed of titanium materials, and electronics, including a transceiver, disposed therein. An antenna is disposed in an air, gas or plastic dielectric filled compartment within a header, which is attached to the housing. The header is premolded so as to create the compartment. The antenna is then placed within the compartment, which is then sealed.

Claims

1. An antenna assembly adapted for attachment to an implantable device comprising a housing and a transceiver disposed within the housing, the antenna assembly comprising:

a structure adapted for attachment to the housing, the structure formed at least in part from a first type of substance;

a compartment at least partially inside the structure;

an antenna disposed within the compartment;

wherein

a second type of substance is disposed within the compartment such that it contacts the antenna.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the second type of substance fills the space in the compartment not occupied by the antenna.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the second type of substance is a solid.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the second type of substance is a gas.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the structure is premolded.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the compartment is defined by a cavity within the pre-molded structure.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the compartment is further defined by a cap disposed on an outer boundary of the structure.

8. The device of claim 5 wherein the compartment is defined by a cavity that is entirely within the interior of the structure.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the antenna comprises a monopole antenna.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the antenna comprises a coiled antenna.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the antenna comprises a micro-strip antenna.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the antenna is at least partially made of silver.

13. An antenna assembly adapted for attachment to an implantable device comprising a housing and a transceiver disposed within the housing, the antenna assembly comprising:

a compartment adapted for attachment to the housing;

an antenna disposed within the compartment;

wherein

the compartment is at least partially filled with a substance characterized by a dielectric constant that is less than 4.5.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the substance is a gas.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the gas is air.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein the compartment is a cavity within a pre-molded header that is adapted for attachment to the housing.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein the antenna comprises a coiled antenna.

18. An antenna assembly adapted for attachment to an implantable device comprising a housing and a transceiver disposed within the housing, the antenna assembly comprising:

a header adapted for attachment to the housing, the header having a compartment therein, the header formed mainly from a material characterized by a first dielectric constant;

an antenna disposed within the compartment, the antenna comprising a plurality of coils; and

a substance disposed at least in part between at least two of the plurality of coils, the substance being characterized by a second dielectric constant that is less than the first dielectric constant.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the substance fills the space in the compartment not occupied by the antenna.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the substance is a gas.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the gas is air.

22. An antenna assembly adapted for attachment to an implantable device comprising a housing and a transceiver disposed within the housing, the antenna assembly comprising:

a molded header adapted for attachment to the housing, the header having a cavity therein;

an antenna disposed within the cavity.