Optional telemetry antenna for implantable medical devices

Abstract

An implantable medical device (“IMD”) configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention generally includes a housing, a connector header block coupled to the housing, and an optional telemetry antenna coupled to the header block. The optional antenna assembly is suitably configured to support the intended IMD application (e.g., the desired telemetry range, the intended IMD implant location, or other practical considerations). The optional antenna assembly may be utilized by itself or in cooperation with a permanent telemetry antenna of the IMD. In one practical embodiment, the optional antenna assembly has a connection end that is compliant with known pacemaker electrode lead standards, which allows the IMD to leverage existing connection methodologies.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to implantable medical devices (“IMDs”). More particularly, the present invention relates to telemetry antennas suitable for deployment in IMDs. BACKGROUND [0002] The prior art is replete with a variety of IMDs that provide diagnostic and / or therapeutic capabilities. Such IMDs include, without limitation: cardiac pacemakers; implantable cardioverters / defibrillators (“ICDs”); and various tissue, organ, and nerve stimulators or sensors. IMDs typically include functional components contained within a hermetically sealed enclosure or housing, which is sometimes referred to as a “can.” In some IMDs, a connector header or connector block is attached to the housing, and the connector block facilitates interconnection with one or more elongated electrical medical leads. The header block is typically molded from a relatively hard, dielectric, non-conductive polymer having a thickness approximating the thickness of the housing. Th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] An IMD configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes an optional telemetry antenna having a connection end that is secured within the header block of the IMD. The optional telemetry antenna may be employed in addition to a “fixed” antenna element, such as an antenna element that is encapsulated within the header block, or it may serve as the only antenna element for the IMD. The specific configuration, RF characteristics, antenna gain, and other operational features of the optional antenna are selected to suit the needs of the particular IMD and / or the particular implant location. In this regard, the IMD can be outfitted with an appropriate antenna that is optimized to suit the needs of the particular IMD application, e.g., in consideration of the operating environment, the age, sex, size, or condition of the patient, or implant orientation within the patient. The optional nature of the antenna facilitates the adjustment of antenna gain to compensate for body losses based on the implant depth.

Problems solved by technology

As the technology has advanced, IMDs have become more complex in possible programmable operating modes, menus of available operating parameters, and capabilities of monitoring, which in turn increase the variety of possible physiologic conditions and electrical signals handled by the IMD.

Consequently, such increasing complexity places increasing demands on the programming system.

Generally, the IMD antenna is disposed within the hermetically sealed housing; however, the typically conductive housing adversely attenuates the radiated RF field and limits the data transfer distance between the programmer head and the IMD RF telemetry antennas to a few inches.

Telemetry antennas, whether designed for near field or far field operation, are susceptible to variations in the implanted environment (the IMD and antenna are surrounded by varying amounts of conductive body tissue when deployed).

In this regard, a given antenna designed and tuned for operation with a subcutaneously implanted IMD may not perform effectively with a sub-muscularly implanted IMD (due to the increased gain requirements for a sub-muscle deployment).

Furthermore, a given antenna designed and tuned for operation with a near field telemetry system may not perform effectively in a far field telemetry system.

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