Control unit having a deployable antenna
First Claim
1. A method for effecting communication between an external control unit and an implanted medical device, wherein the external control unit has a housing;
- electronics disposed on a pc board, for controlling an RF emission from the control unit, are disposed within the housing;
an arc shaped antenna is pivotably connected to the housing such that said antenna moves between a stowed position and a deployed position with respect to said housing in only one plane, the arc shaped antenna defines an antenna plane, in the stowed position the antenna plane is approximately coplanar with a plane defined by the pc board, in the stowed position the arc shaped antenna is both approximately coplanar with, and encircles the outer periphery of, the housing, said method comprising the steps of;
placing the external control unit within electronic communication range of the implanted medical device;
pivotably moving the control unit arc shaped antenna with respect to said housing in only one plane to a deployed position where RF emission from the arc shaped antenna is permitted; and
causing the emition of RF waves from the arc shaped antenna to establish communication between the external control unit and the implanted medical device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control unit for an implantable medical device includes a housing and electronics within the housing. The electronics control an RF emission from the control unit. An antenna is pivotably connected to the housing. The antenna is movable between a stowed position where RF emission from the antenna is prevented and a deployed position where RF emission from the antenna is permitted. To use the external control unit to effect communication between an external control unit and an implanted medical device, the user places the external control unit within electronic communication range of the implanted medical device. The control unit antenna is moved from the stowed position to a deployed position where RF emission from the antenna is permitted. RF waves are emitted from the antenna to establish communication between the external control unit and the implanted medical device.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for effecting communication between an external control unit and an implanted medical device, wherein the external control unit has a housing;
- electronics disposed on a pc board, for controlling an RF emission from the control unit, are disposed within the housing;
an arc shaped antenna is pivotably connected to the housing such that said antenna moves between a stowed position and a deployed position with respect to said housing in only one plane, the arc shaped antenna defines an antenna plane, in the stowed position the antenna plane is approximately coplanar with a plane defined by the pc board, in the stowed position the arc shaped antenna is both approximately coplanar with, and encircles the outer periphery of, the housing, said method comprising the steps of;placing the external control unit within electronic communication range of the implanted medical device; pivotably moving the control unit arc shaped antenna with respect to said housing in only one plane to a deployed position where RF emission from the arc shaped antenna is permitted; and causing the emition of RF waves from the arc shaped antenna to establish communication between the external control unit and the implanted medical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- electronics disposed on a pc board, for controlling an RF emission from the control unit, are disposed within the housing;
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6. A method for effecting communication between an external control unit and an implanted medical device, wherein the external control unit has a housing;
- electronics, for controlling an RF emission from the control unit, are disposed within an enclosed chamber of the housing;
an arc shaped antenna is pivotably connected to the housing such that said antenna moves with respect to said housing in only one plane, an arc shaped antenna is pivotably connected to the housing such that said antenna moves between a stowed position and a deployed position, in the stowed position the arc shaped antenna is both approximately coplanar with, and encircles the outer periphery of, the housing, said method comprising the steps of;placing the external control unit within electronic communication range of the implanted medical device; pivotably moving the control unit arc shaped antenna with respect to said housing in only one plane to a deployed position where RF emission from the antenna is permitted; and causing the emition of RF waves from the arc shaped antenna to establish communication between the external control unit and the implanted medical device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
- electronics, for controlling an RF emission from the control unit, are disposed within an enclosed chamber of the housing;
Specification