External Medical Antenna Layout for Metal-Cased Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges with wireless communication due to antennas being confined within metal cases, leading to interference, attenuation, and increased device size, which compromises reliability and convenience.
Innovation Solution
Integration of external antennas, such as those embedded in delivery tubing or adhesive patches, to facilitate wireless communication by co-locating antenna feeds with internal communication modules, utilizing capacitive or inductive coupling, and forming antennas on the device's outer surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is located inside the medical device package or case, then the device structure is compact, but wireless communication reliability deteriorates due to interference and attenuation from components and packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is extracted from the internal space of the medical device case and positioned externally. The antenna feed interconnects the external antenna with the wireless communication module inside the case, allowing the antenna to be located in the outside space where it can efficiently communicate at the first frequency without interference from internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna feed acts as an intermediary element that bridges the internal wireless communication module and the external antenna. It transmits electromagnetic signals between the module enclosed in the case and the antenna positioned outside, enabling reliable wireless communication while maintaining case integrity.
2Reliability
If the antenna is located inside the metal case, then the device is durable and water tight, but wireless communication is significantly interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is taken out from inside the metal case and positioned in the outside space. This extraction eliminates the harmful electromagnetic interference caused by the metal case while maintaining the case's protective function for the internal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into internal components enclosed in the case and the external antenna positioned outside. This segmentation allows the metal case to maintain its protective function while the external antenna provides interference-free wireless communication.
3Reliability
If the antenna occupies significant area within the package, then wireless communication is enabled, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is moved from the two-dimensional internal plane of the device package to the external three-dimensional space surrounding the device. This dimensional transition allows the antenna to achieve optimal radiation patterns without constraining the device's compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna is extracted from the internal package area and positioned externally, eliminating the need for significant internal space allocation while maintaining full wireless communication capability.
4Area of stationary object
If the antenna is made external to reduce device size, then device compactness is improved, but ensuring efficient communication with internal module becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna feed serves as an efficient intermediary that bridges the external antenna and internal wireless communication module. It is configured to minimize signal loss and maximize communication efficiency despite the spatial separation between the antenna and module.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna feed is designed with optimized electrical parameters including impedance matching and appropriate length to maximize signal transmission efficiency between the external antenna and internal module at the operating frequency.
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 enhances wireless communication reliability and reduces device size by allowing omni-directional radiation patterns, improving flexibility and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the antenna feed and antenna are co-located with the delivery tube. In another aspect, the antenna feed co-located with the delivery tube is capacitively coupled to the communication module in the inside space
Implementation Method 2
the antenna feed co-located with the delivery tube is inductively coupled to the communication module in the inside space
Implementation Method 3
an antenna located in the outside space configured to efficiently communicate at the first frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes an antenna external to a case, package, or encapsulant for the electronic systems of the medical device. In one embodiment, a diabetes infusion pump is enclosed within a metal case, the pump including a processor and a communication module for wireless communications. An antenna is disposed in the delivery tubing of the pump outside the case with an antenna feed interconnecting the external antenna with the internal communication module. In another aspect, a thin film antenna is formed on the outer surf ace of the case in which a physiological parameter sensor, such as a glucose sensor, is enclosed. Multiple antennas may be used for communications on different frequencies.