Implantable medical device package antenna

• US 20060020300A1
• Filed: 06/09/2004
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Nghiem, David, Twetan, Len D., Bohn, David B., Biddick, Glenn R., Baylis, Lawrence A., Spitzley, John J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,289,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/37294 Means for testing medical devices within the package prior to implantation

Abstract

A wireless communication system is provided that includes an antenna structure adapted for coupling to a medical device antenna when the medical device is not implanted in a patient'"'"'s body. The antenna structure effectively extends the medical device antenna length, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of a communication link between the medical device and a programmer or monitor outside the implanted environment. The antenna structure is fabricated from any conductive material, which may be in the form of conductive wire, tape, ink, foil, film, adhesive or the like, and is attached to a portion of a medical device packaging assembly or another accessory device or substrate such as a pouch or overlay. The antenna structure may be a monopole, dipole, slot antenna, microstrip patch, or loop antenna, and may be fixed or movable relative to the substrate on which it is implemented.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a programmer;

a medical device; and

an antenna structure in proximity to the medical device;

said programmer enabled to wirelessly communicate with said medical device via said antenna structure.

2. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the antenna structure is adapted to be capacitively coupled to the medical device.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the antenna structure is adapted to be directly coupled to the medical device.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the antenna structure includes a configuration to extend the range of communication between the medical device and the programmer.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 1 wherein the antenna structure includes an antenna selected from the group of:

a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, a microstrip patch antenna, a slot antenna, and a loop antenna.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the antenna structure includes a substrate adapted for cradling the medical device.

7. A wireless communication architecture, comprising:

a medical device,

an antenna structure; and

a substrate for placement of the antenna structure;

said medical device being in communication with said antenna structure.

8. The communication architecture of claim 7 wherein the antenna structure includes a first end fixedly attached to the substrate and adapted for communication with the medical device and a second end movable relative to the first end.

9. The communication architecture of claim 8 wherein the antenna structure is a folding antenna.

10. The communication architecture of claim 8 wherein the antenna structure is a telescoping antenna.

11. The communication architecture of claim 7 wherein the antenna structure includes a plurality of physically discontinuous portions on at least one of the substrate surfaces.

12. The communication architecture of claim 7 wherein the substrate forms a part of a packaging tray assembly.

13. A packaging tray assembly, comprising:

a package tray adapted to contain a medical device;

a package tray lid adapted to be sealed to the package tray; and

an antenna structure implemented on a surface of one of the package tray and package tray lid.

14. A packaging tray assembly, comprising:

a first tray adapted to contain a medical device;

a package tray adapted to contain the first tray; and

an antenna structure on a surface of the first tray.

15. A packaging tray assembly, comprising:

a package tray adapted to contain a medical device;

an antenna tray adapted to contain the package tray; and

an antenna structure on a surface of the antenna tray.

16. A wireless communication system, comprising:

means for extending the range of communication between a medical device and a programmer;

means for positioning the extending means relative to the medical device; and

means for communicating information between the medical device and the programmer via the extending means.