SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A TELEMETRIC IMPLANT

• US 20110205083A1
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Goodchild, Martin S., Wilson, Darren J., Brady, Peter A., Janna, Sied W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,570,187 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.31
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2216 used in interrogator/reader equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/02 Collapsible antennas; Retractable antennas

Abstract

A telemetric system (10, 300) is disclosed. The telemetric system (10, 300) includes a telemetric implant (400, 500), a reader unit (20) adapted to read signals from the telemetric implant (400, 500), and an antenna (12, 212, 312) adapted for connection to the reader unit (20, 320) and to receive signals from the telemetric implant (400, 500). The antenna (12, 212, 312) has a first coil (14, 214, 314), a second coil (16, 216, 316), and a connector (18, 318). The first coil (14, 214, 314) is electrically connected to the second coil (16, 216, 316), and the connector (18, 318) allows for movement of the first and second coils (14, 214, 314, 16, 216, 316) relative to each other. The antenna (12, 212, 312) may be used to send radio-frequency power to the telemetric implant (400, 500) and receives data from the telemetric implant (400, 500).

Claims

1. A telemetric system comprising:

a. a telemetric implant;

b. a reader unit adapted to read signals from the telemetric implant; and

c. an antenna adapted for connection to the reader unit and to receive signals from the telemetric implant, the antenna having a first coil, a second coil, and a connector, the first coil being electrically connected to the second coil, and the connector allowing for movement of the first and second coils relative to each other.

2. The telemetric system of claim 1, wherein the first coil or the second coil is moved to shape the magnetic field produced by said coils.

3. The telemetric system of claim 1, wherein the first coil or the second coil is moved to conform the antenna to a mammalian tissue surface.

4. The telemetric system of claim 1, wherein the antenna is used to power and read the telemetric implant from an oblique angle.

5. The telemetric system of claim 1, wherein the first coil and the second coil are housed in a flexible polymer.

6. The telemetric system of claim 1, wherein the first coil and the second coil are housed in a pouch.

7. The telemetric system of claim 1, further comprising a component selected from the group consisting of a computing device, a signal generator, a power supply, an audible feedback system, and a visual indicator.

8. The telemetric system of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional antenna coil.

9. The telemetric system of claim 1, wherein the antenna further comprises at least one ferrite component.

10. The telemetric system of claim 1, wherein the reader unit comprises a microcontroller, a coil driver and reader, a frequency counter, and an amplifier, and wherein the telemetric implant comprises a power supply circuit, an oscillator circuit, and a load modulator circuit.

11. The telemetric system of claim 1, wherein the antenna sends radio-frequency power to the telemetric implant and receives data from the telemetric implant.