ANTENNA STRUCTURES FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES

• US 20130085350A1
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Published: 04/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Schugt, Michael A., Zhao, Yanzhu
• Granted Patent: US 8,939,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/302
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3754 Feedthroughs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

This disclosure describes antenna structures for use with implantable medical devices (IMDs). The IMD may include a housing that hermetically encloses electronic components of the IMD and a fixation mechanism that attaches the IMD to a target location within a patient, such as a wall of a vessel. The fixation mechanism may function as a radiating element of an antenna of the IMD. The fixation mechanism may be attached to a housing of the IMD with two different members. One member may be an anchoring structure that mechanically anchors the fixation mechanism to the housing. The second member may be a connector that electrically connects the fixation mechanism to the housing such that the fixation mechanism is configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals with other implantable or external devices.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device comprising:

an implantable housing comprising a telemetry module;

a fixation mechanism mechanically anchored to the housing; and

a connector electrically connecting the fixation mechanism to the telemetry module, wherein the fixation mechanism is configured to operate as at least a portion of an antenna to at least one of transmit or receive communication signals.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism comprises an anchoring structure configured to anchor the fixation mechanism to the housing.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the anchoring structure is configured to electrically ground the fixation mechanism.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein a distance between the connector and the housing along the anchoring structure is between approximately 3.0 millimeters (mm) and 6.0 mm.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises:

an electrically conductive deformable member connected to the fixation mechanism and configured to allow at least a portion of the fixation mechanism to move with respect to the housing; and

a feed-through pin electrically coupling the deformable member to the telemetry module, wherein the feed-through pin is electrically isolated from the housing.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the connector is a deformable member configured to allow the fixation mechanism to move with respect to the housing and electrically isolated from the housing.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the connector is a portion of the fixation mechanism.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an overmold that encases the connector and at least a portion of the housing.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism is a cylindrical stent-like structure that is configured to lodge against a vessel wall.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism is mechanically anchored in one location of the housing.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the fixation mechanism is mechanically anchored in at least two different locations of the housing.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor within the housing and configured measure one or more parameters.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a therapy module within the housing and configured to deliver therapy to a patient.

14. A device comprising:

a housing configured to be implanted within a patient;

a fixation mechanism configured to be implanted within the patient;

an anchoring structure configured to mechanically anchor the fixation mechanism to the housing; and

a connector configured to electrically couple the fixation mechanism to telemetry circuitry within the housing.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the connector is configured to transfer excitation energy between the telemetry circuitry and the fixation mechanism, and wherein the fixation mechanism is configured to operate as at least a portion of an antenna to at least one of transmit or receive communication signals.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein:

the anchoring structure is configured electrically ground the fixation mechanism; and

the connector is an electrically conductive deformable member configured to allow the fixation mechanism to move with respect to the housing and to be electrically isolated from the housing.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the fixation mechanism is a cylindrical stent-like structure that is configured to lodge against a vessel wall within the patient.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the fixation mechanism, the anchoring structure, and the connector are formed of a single structure.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the housing comprises a sensor configured to measure one or more parameters associated with the patient.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is configured to communicate with an external programmer via the fixation mechanism.

21. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is a first device, and wherein the first device is configured to communicate with a second device configured to be implanted within the patient.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the first device is configured to relay data between the second device and an external programmer.

23. A device comprising:

an implantable housing comprising a telemetry module;

means for attaching the housing to an anatomical structure within a patient, wherein the attaching means is mechanically anchored to the housing; and

means for electrically connecting the attaching means to the telemetry module, wherein the attaching means is configured to operate as at least a portion of an antenna to at least one of transmit or receive communication signals.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the means for attaching the housing to the anatomical structure comprises means for electrically grounding the attaching means to the housing.

25. The device of claim 23, wherein the electrically connecting means comprises means for allowing the attaching means to move with respect to the housing, and wherein the housing comprises means for electrically isolating the electrically connecting means from the housing.

26. The device of claim 23, further comprising means for measuring one or more parameters associated with the patient.