Dipolar antenna system and related methods

• US 9,700,712 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2013
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: Towe, Bruce C
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Piateski, Erin M
• Application Number:
  US13/735,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20130123882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,646 Days
• Field of Search: 607 62
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3605 Implantable neurostimulators for stimulating central or peripheral nerve system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 11/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing waveguides or resonators, lines, or other devices of the waveguide type
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/00 Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49018 with other electrical component

Abstract

Some embodiments include a dipolar antenna system to electrically power an implantable miniature device and/or to stimulate bioelectrically excitable tissue, such as, for example, through microelectronic neurostimulation. Other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a dipolar antenna comprising;

a first electrically conductive element having a first length and a first width; and

a second electrically conductive element having a second length and a second width;

and

an electromagnetic wave exciter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation comprising a dipolar electric field, wherein the apparatus is configured to transfer energy between the electromagnetic wave exciter and the dipolar antenna through the dipolar electric field of the electromagnetic radiation;

wherein;

the dipolar antenna is configured to be implanted in biological tissue;

the dipolar antenna is configured to receive the dipolar electric field;

a combined length of the first length and the second length is greater than or equal to approximately 2 millimeters and less than or equal to approximately 5 centimeters; and

the first width and the second width are each less than or equal to approximately 1.5 millimeters.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the electromagnetic wave exciter comprises an additional dipolar antenna.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the electromagnetic radiation comprises (i) a peak power level greater than or equal to approximately 10 watts and less than or equal to approximately 100 watts and (ii) an average power level greater than or equal to approximately 1 watt and less than or equal to approximately 10 watts.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one of an electronic device or an energy storage device electrically coupled to the electronic device, wherein the dipolar antenna is configured to provide energy to at least one of the electronic device or the energy storage device electrically coupled to the electronic device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the dipolar antenna is devoid of an inductive coil.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element comprise a biocompatible material; and

the biocompatible material comprises at least one of platinum, tungsten, palladium, gold, or a biocompatible polymer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the dipolar antenna is configured to pass through a lumen of at least one of a 14 gauge needle, a 15 gauge needle, a 16 gauge needle, a 17 gauge needle, an 18 gauge needle, a 19 gauge needle, a 20 gauge needle, a 21 gauge needle, or a 22 gauge needle of a syringe.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the dipolar antenna is configured to provide energy to at least one of (i) an electronic device comprising at least one of a bioelectronic medical sensor, a transducer, a communication system, or an actuator, or (ii) an energy storage device comprising a battery;

the apparatus further comprises a rectifier;

the rectifier comprises at least one of a diode or a microcontroller;

the dipolar antenna is devoid of an inductive coil;

the first electrically conductive element is approximately co-linear with the second electrically conductive element;

the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element comprise a biocompatible material;

the biocompatible material comprises at least one of platinum, tungsten, palladium, or gold;

the dipolar antenna is configured to pass through a lumen of at least one of a 14 gauge needle, a 15 gauge needle, a 16 gauge needle, a 17 gauge needle, an 18 gauge needle, a 19 gauge needle, a 20 gauge needle, a 21 gauge needle, or a 22 gauge needle of a syringe;

at least one of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element comprises an insulating outer layer; and

the insulating outer layer comprises a biocompatible polymer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first electrically conductive element is approximately co-linear with the second electrically conductive element, and the dipolar antenna is oriented approximately parallel to the electromagnetic wave exciter.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the electromagnetic wave exciter is configured to pulse the electromagnetic radiation for a time period of greater than or equal to approximately 1 microsecond and less than or equal to approximately 10 milliseconds, at a frequency of greater than or equal to approximately 0.5 pulses per second and less than or equal to approximately 2,000 pulses per second.

11. A method of manufacturing an energy supply for an electronic device, the method comprising:

providing a first electrically conductive element having a first length and a first width;

providing a second electrically conductive element having a second length and a second width;

coupling the first electrically conductive element to the electronic device;

coupling the second electrically conductive element to the electronic device; and

providing an electromagnetic wave exciter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation comprising a dipolar electric field to transfer energy to a dipolar antenna;

wherein;

the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element form the dipolar antenna;

the dipolar antenna is configured to be implanted in biological tissue;

the dipolar antenna is configured to receive the dipolar electric field;

a combined length of the first length and the second length is greater than or equal to approximately 2 millimeters and less than or equal to approximately 5 centimeters; and

the first width and the second width are each less than or equal to approximately 1.5 millimeters.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the electronic device comprises at least one of a bioelectronic medical sensor, a transducer, a communication system, an actuator, or an energy storage device.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

providing a forward side of a rectifier between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, and electrically coupling a reverse side of the rectifier to the electronic device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein:

the rectifier comprises a diode.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein:

the rectifier comprises a microcontroller.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the electromagnetic wave exciter comprises an additional dipolar antenna.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the first electrically conductive element is approximately co-linear with the second electrically conductive element, and the dipolar antenna is oriented approximately parallel to the electromagnetic wave exciter.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the electromagnetic radiation comprises (i) a peak power level greater than or equal to approximately 10 watts and less than or equal to approximately 100 watts and (ii) an average power level greater than or equal to approximately 1 watt and less than or equal to approximately 10 watts.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the electromagnetic wave exciter is configured to pulse the electromagnetic radiation for a time period of greater than or equal to approximately 1 microsecond and less than or equal to approximately 10 milliseconds, at a frequency of greater than or equal to approximately 0.5 pulses per second and less than or equal to approximately 2,000 pulses per second.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the energy supply is devoid of an inductive coil.

21. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element comprise a biocompatible material.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein:

the biocompatible material comprises at least one of platinum, tungsten, palladium, or gold.

23. The method of claim 11 wherein:

the energy supply is configured to pass through a lumen of at least one of a 14 gauge needle, a 15 gauge needle, a 16 gauge needle, a 17 gauge needle, an 18 gauge needle, a 19 gauge needle, a 20 gauge needle, a 21 gauge needle, or a 22 gauge needle of a syringe.

24. The method of claim 11 wherein:

at least one of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element comprises an insulating outer layer.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein:

the insulating outer layer comprises a biocompatible polymer.