Antenna structures for implantable medical devices
First Claim
1. An implantable medical device comprising:
- an implantable housing comprising a telemetry module;
a fixation mechanism comprising an anchoring structure configured to mechanically anchor the fixation mechanism to the implantable housing, wherein the anchoring structure is configured to electrically ground the fixation mechanism to the implantable 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, and wherein the anchoring structure, instead of the connector, is configured to provide structural support between the fixation mechanism and the implantable housing.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device comprising:
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an implantable housing comprising a telemetry module; a fixation mechanism comprising an anchoring structure configured to mechanically anchor the fixation mechanism to the implantable housing, wherein the anchoring structure is configured to electrically ground the fixation mechanism to the implantable 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, and wherein the anchoring structure, instead of the connector, is configured to provide structural support between the fixation mechanism and the implantable housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device comprising:
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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, wherein the anchoring structure is configured to electrically ground the fixation mechanism to the housing; and a connector configured to electrically couple the fixation mechanism to telemetry circuitry within the housing, wherein the anchoring structure, instead of the connector, is configured to provide structural support between the fixation mechanism and the housing. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A device comprising:
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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 implantable housing, and wherein the attaching means comprises means for electrically grounding the attaching means to the implantable 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, and wherein the electrically grounding means, instead of the electrically connecting means, comprises means for providing structural support between the attaching means and the implantable housing. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification