Cofire Ceramic Module Antenna for Implantable Medical Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices (IMDs) face challenges in antenna design due to size and packaging constraints, particularly in facilitating wireless telemetry, which is essential for patient convenience and compliance, but existing solutions struggle to efficiently integrate antennas within the limited space while maintaining effective communication.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a cofire ceramic module (CCM) with a cofire-integrated antenna, which includes a conductive plate and multiple layers of conductive antenna elements, along with capacitive or via interconnections and a feed line, to form a compact and efficient RF-transparent structure that enables reliable telemetry without substantial signal attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional antenna designs are used in IMDs, then wireless telemetry function is provided, but the device size and packaging constraints are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna structure with the ceramic housing into an integrated cofire ceramic module. The antenna elements are formed within the ceramic layers themselves, merging two previously separate components (antenna and housing) into a single integrated structure, thereby reducing overall device volume while maintaining telemetry functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional planar antenna designs to a three-dimensional cofire ceramic structure with multiple layers. Antenna elements are distributed across different layers and interconnected through vias, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to achieve compact integration while preserving RF performance
2Volume of moving object
If antenna size is reduced to meet packaging constraints, then device compactness is improved, but RF signal transmission quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cofire ceramic materials that provide both structural housing functionality and RF transparency. The ceramic composite structure allows RF signals to pass through with minimal attenuation while enabling compact integration of antenna elements within the housing walls themselves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different material properties and structural configurations in different regions of the ceramic module. Specific areas contain conductive antenna elements and interconnections, while other regions maintain RF transparency, allowing localized optimization of both signal transmission and compact integration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the reduction of the IMD's size, reduces antenna volume, and maintains effective RF signal transmission and reception, enhancing the device's functionality and patient compliance by facilitating efficient communication without significant shielding or signal loss.
Implementation Method 1
a cofire-integrated antenna 302 embedded in the CCM 301
Implementation Method 2
maintains effective RF signal transmission and reception, enhancing the device's functionality
Implementation Method 3
The interconnections are capacitive interconnections
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable medical device (IMD) and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An IMD can include a housing and a cofire ceramic module (CCM) coupled to the housing. The CCM can include an antenna cofire-integrated in the CCM. The antenna can include a plate composed of conductive material, and conductive antenna elements that are annular substrates having perimeters substantially coextensive with the perimeter of the plate. The antenna can also include interconnections. A first set of interconnections can be coupled between the plate and one of the conductive antenna elements, and a second set of interconnections can be coupled between the conductive antenna elements. The antenna can also include a feed line conductively coupled to the plate. In some embodiments, the feed line can be substantially serpentine-shaped to adjust impedance in the CCM.