IMPLANTABLE RELAY MODULE
First Claim
1. A passive implantable relay module, comprising:
- a first coupler arm configured to wirelessly receive electromagnetic energy radiated through non-inductive coupling from a transmitting antenna located outside a subject'"'"'s body;
a second coupler arm; and
a connector portion comprising a first metal core and a first dielectric coating surrounding at least portions of the first metal core, the connector portion configured to connect the first coupler arm to the second coupler arm and to transport the received electromagnetic energy from the first coupler arm to the second coupler arm such that when the passive implantable relay module is implanted inside the subject'"'"'s body and the transmitting antenna initiates wireless energy transfer to the first coupler arm through non-inductive coupling, electromagnetic waves carrying the electromagnetic energy received at the first coupler arm propagate along the first metal core to arrive at the second coupler arm, where the electromagnetic energy arriving is wirelessly transferred, again through non-inductive coupling, to a receiving antenna on a passive wireless neural stimulator device that has been implanted inside the subject to be solely powered wirelessly.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A passive implantable relay module includes a first coupler arm configured to wirelessly receive electromagnetic energy radiated through electric radiative coupling from a transmitting antenna located outside a subject'"'"'s body; a second coupler arm; and a connector portion comprising a first metal core and a first dielectric coating surrounding the first metal core, the connector portion configured to connect the first coupler arm to the second coupler arm such that when the passive implantable relay module is implanted inside the subject'"'"'s body and the transmitting antenna initiates wireless energy transfer to the first coupler arm via non-inductive coupling, electromagnetic waves carrying the electromagnetic energy received at the first coupler arm propagate along the first metal core to arrive at the second coupler arm, where the electromagnetic energy arriving is wirelessly transferred, again via non-inductive coupling, to a receiving antenna on a passive wireless neural stimulator device.
8 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A passive implantable relay module, comprising:
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a first coupler arm configured to wirelessly receive electromagnetic energy radiated through non-inductive coupling from a transmitting antenna located outside a subject'"'"'s body; a second coupler arm; and a connector portion comprising a first metal core and a first dielectric coating surrounding at least portions of the first metal core, the connector portion configured to connect the first coupler arm to the second coupler arm and to transport the received electromagnetic energy from the first coupler arm to the second coupler arm such that when the passive implantable relay module is implanted inside the subject'"'"'s body and the transmitting antenna initiates wireless energy transfer to the first coupler arm through non-inductive coupling, electromagnetic waves carrying the electromagnetic energy received at the first coupler arm propagate along the first metal core to arrive at the second coupler arm, where the electromagnetic energy arriving is wirelessly transferred, again through non-inductive coupling, to a receiving antenna on a passive wireless neural stimulator device that has been implanted inside the subject to be solely powered wirelessly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of implanting a passive implantable relay module, the method comprising:
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implanting a passive implantable neural stimulator device inside a subject such that electrodes of the passive implantable neural stimulator device are positioned to deliver electric charges to excitable tissue; inserting a passive implantable relay module by snaking the passive implantable relay module through a tubing such that a distal coupler arm of the passive implantable relay module is placed substantially parallel to a receiving antenna on the passive implantable neural stimulator device; and placing a proximal coupler arm of the passive implantable relay module underneath the skin such that (i) the proximal coupler is configured to receive electromagnetic energy wirelessly and through non-inductive coupling from an external radio frequency pulse generator module placed outside the patient when the external radio frequency pulse generator module is activated, and (ii) the received electromagnetic energy is propagated along a connection portion of the passive implantable relay module to arrive at the distal coupler arm, which then wirelessly transmits the arrived electromagnetic energy, again through non-inductive coupling, to the receiving antenna on the passive wireless neural stimulator device. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification