Locating an implanted object based on external antenna loading
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- generating a first waveform in an external device;
driving an external antenna with the first waveform, wherein the external antenna has an asymmetrical loading profile;
measuring a first value of an electrical parameter associated with the external antenna while the external antenna is driven with the first waveform;
generating a second waveform in the external device, the second waveform having at least one different waveform parameter than the first waveform;
driving the external antenna with the second waveform;
measuring a second value of the electrical parameter while the external antenna is driven with the second waveform; and
determining a location of an implanted object relative to the external antenna based on a difference between the measured first and second values of the electrical parameter, wherein the difference between the first and second values of the electrical parameter is caused at least in part by the asymmetrical loading profile of the external antenna.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In general, the invention is directed to techniques for locating an implanted object using an external antenna. The implanted object may be, for example, an internal antenna that facilitates recharging of and/or communication with an implantable medical device. An external device coupled to the external antenna drives the antenna with a plurality of waveforms. Asymmetry in the loading profile of the external antenna when it is driven by the plurality of waveforms allows the external device or another device to determine the location of the implanted object relative to the external antenna. The external device or other device may provide information to a user based on the determined location of the implanted object relative to the external antenna, such as information to help a user position the external antenna with respect to an internal antenna in embodiments in which the implanted object is an internal antenna.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating a first waveform in an external device; driving an external antenna with the first waveform, wherein the external antenna has an asymmetrical loading profile; measuring a first value of an electrical parameter associated with the external antenna while the external antenna is driven with the first waveform; generating a second waveform in the external device, the second waveform having at least one different waveform parameter than the first waveform; driving the external antenna with the second waveform; measuring a second value of the electrical parameter while the external antenna is driven with the second waveform; and determining a location of an implanted object relative to the external antenna based on a difference between the measured first and second values of the electrical parameter, wherein the difference between the first and second values of the electrical parameter is caused at least in part by the asymmetrical loading profile of the external antenna. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system comprising:
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an external antenna having an asymmetrical loading profile; an external device coupled to the external antenna, wherein the external device generates a first waveform, drives the external antenna with the first waveform, measures a first value of an electrical parameter associated with the external antenna while driving the external antenna with the first waveform, generates a second waveform, drives the external antenna with the second waveform, and measures a second value of the electrical parameter while driving the external antenna with the second waveform; a processor that determines a location of an implanted object relative to the external antenna based on a difference between the measured first and second values of the electrical parameter, wherein the difference between the first and second values of the electrical parameter is caused at least in part by the asymmetrical loading profile of the external antenna; and wherein the second waveform has at least one different waveform parameter than the first waveform. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause a programmable processor to:
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control generation of a first waveform in an external device to drive an external antenna having an asymmetrical loading profile; measure a first value of an electrical parameter associated with the external antenna while the external antenna is driven with the first waveform; control generation of a second waveform in the external device to drive the external antenna, the second waveform having at least one different waveform parameter than the first waveform; measure a second value of the electrical parameter while the external antenna is driven with the second waveform; and determine a location of an implanted object relative to the external antenna based on a difference between the measured first and second values of the electrical parameter, wherein the difference between the first and second values of the electrical parameter is caused at least in part by the asymmetrical loading profile of the external antenna. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification