MODULAR ANTENNA FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE

• US 20120130206A1
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Vajha, Sasidhar, Maile, Keith R., Larson, Dennis E., Chizek, David A., Edgell, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,579,509 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/302
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0414 in a stacked or folded configuration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49016 Antenna or wave energy "plumbing" making

Abstract

Subject matter such as a method or apparatus can include an implantable antenna assembly, comprising a dielectric shell including first and second substantially parallel outer face portions, and a third outer face portion extending between the first and second portions, a spiral conductor extending along the first, second, and third portions on a surface of the dielectric shell. The dielectric shell and spiral conductor can be configured to be mechanically attached to a dielectric compartment, such as configured to be coupled to a housing of an implantable medical device. In an example, the implantable antenna assembly is configured to be electrically coupled to an implantable telemetry circuit configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna, such as included as a portion of an implantable medical device.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an implantable antenna assembly, comprising;

a dielectric shell including first and second substantially parallel outer face portions, and a third outer face portion extending between the first and second portions;

a spiral conductor extending along the first, second, and third portions on a surface of the dielectric shell; and

wherein the dielectric shell and spiral conductor are configured to be mechanically attached to a dielectric compartment configured to be coupled to a housing of an implantable medical device; and

wherein the implantable antenna assembly is configured to be electrically coupled to an implantable telemetry circuit configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spiral conductor is configured to extend along an interior-facing surface of the dielectric shell.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spiral conductor is configured to extend along an exterior-facing surface of the dielectric shell.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric shell and the spiral conductor are configured to be contained at least partially within the dielectric compartment by a material comprising at least a portion of the dielectric compartment.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric shell is configured to mechanically retain the spiral conductor, using at least one of a stake or a channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stake configured to retain a portion of the spiral conductor when the stake is deformed.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric shell is configured to mechanically immobilize the spiral conductor when the dielectric shell is molded around at least a portion of the spiral conductor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the dielectric shell or the spiral conductor are adhesively attached to the dielectric compartment.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the implantable medical device including:

the housing;

the dielectric compartment, mechanically coupled to the housing and mechanically coupled to the implantable antenna assembly; and

the implantable telemetry circuit carried within the housing and configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable antenna assembly.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the dielectric compartment of the implantable medical device comprises a header configured to provide an electrical and mechanical connection to an implantable lead, the implantable lead including an electrode configured for location at a tissue site, and coupled to electronic circuitry within the housing to provide one or more of electrostimulation of tissue, or sensing of activity, at the site of the electrode.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising the implantable lead and the electrode.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

an implantable antenna assembly, comprising;

a dielectric core comprising;

first and second substantially parallel face portions, and a third face portion extending between the first and second portions; and

a cavity sized and shaped to accept an implantable lead connector;

a spiral conductor extending along the first, second, and third portions on an exterior surface of the dielectric core; and

wherein the dielectric core and spiral conductor are configured to be at least partially contained within a dielectric compartment; and

wherein the implantable antenna assembly is configured to be electrically coupled to an implantable telemetry circuit configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable telemetry antenna.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the dielectric core is configured to mechanically retain the spiral conductor, using at least one of a stake or a channel.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the dielectric core is configured to mechanically immobilize the spiral conductor when the dielectric core is molded around at least a portion of the spiral conductor.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising the implantable medical device including:

the housing;

the dielectric compartment, mechanically coupled to the housing and mechanically coupled to the implantable antenna assembly; and

the implantable telemetry circuit carried within the housing and configured to wirelessly transfer information electromagnetically using the implantable antenna assembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the combination of the dielectric compartment and the dielectric core comprises a header configured to provide an electrical and mechanical connection to an implantable lead, the implantable lead including an electrode configured for location at a tissue site, and coupled to electronic circuitry within the housing to provide one or more of electrostimulation of tissue, or sensing of activity, at the site of the electrode.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising the implantable lead and the electrode.

18. A method, comprising:

attaching a spiral conductor to a dielectric shell, the dielectric shell including first and second substantially parallel outer face portions, and a third outer face portion extending between the first and second portions, and the spiral conductor configured to extend along the first, second, and third portions on a surface of the dielectric shell; and

mechanically coupling the dielectric shell and the spiral conductor to a dielectric compartment configured to be coupled to a housing of an implantable medical device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the mechanically coupling the dielectric shell and spiral conductor to the dielectric compartment includes overmolding the dielectric shell and spiral conductor using a material comprising at least a portion of the dielectric compartment.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the mechanically coupling the dielectric shell and spiral conductor to the dielectric compartment includes adhesively coupling the dielectric shell or the spiral conductor to the dielectric compartment.