IMD Storage Container Dielectric Impedance Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable medical device (IMD) telemetry systems are inefficient when the IMD is stored outside the body prior to implantation, as they are designed for implanted conditions and not optimized for pre-implantation environments, leading to suboptimal communication efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A container with a member that alters the electrical material properties in the vicinity of the IMD's antenna to match the input impedance to that of body tissue, using dielectric materials with a dielectric constant between 10 and 60, preferably between 30 and 40, to enhance radio frequency communication efficiency without direct electrical coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IMD telemetry systems are designed for implanted conditions with body tissue dielectric properties, then communication efficiency is improved under implanted conditions, but communication efficiency deteriorates when IMD is stored outside the body prior to implantation
Solution Approach 1:
A container member is introduced as an intermediary between the IMD antenna and the external environment. This member has dielectric properties similar to body tissue, creating a simulated implanted environment that allows the telemetry system to communicate efficiently whether the IMD is stored outside the body or implanted inside the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric properties of the storage environment are changed by introducing a container member with specific dielectric characteristics. This parameter change (dielectric constant and conductivity) simulates the body tissue environment, allowing the antenna to operate with optimized impedance matching and communication efficiency in both stored and implanted states.
2Reliability
If a conductive package antenna is used to extend IMD antenna length prior to implantation, then telemetry communication efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a complex conductive package antenna structure, a simple dielectric container member is used as an intermediary. This member passively modifies the electromagnetic environment around the existing antenna, achieving improved communication efficiency without requiring additional active antenna components or complex coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The container member is made from inexpensive dielectric material that can be easily manufactured and disposed of. It serves its purpose during storage and packaging, then is discarded without needing to be reused or maintained, reducing overall system cost and complexity compared to permanent antenna extensions.
3Ease of operation
If capacitive or direct electrical coupling is used between package antenna and IMD, then telemetry communication is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of coupling interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical/electrical coupling system (conductive antenna requiring direct or capacitive electrical contact) is replaced with an electromagnetic field-based system. The dielectric container member modifies the electromagnetic environment, allowing inductive or electromagnetic coupling that is less sensitive to physical contact variations and more reliable during handling and storage.
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 solution enables efficient telemetry communication over larger distances, allowing for inventory management, testing, and customization of IMDs before implantation, while eliminating the risk of coupling interruptions and simplifying the recycling process.
Implementation Method 1
using dielectric materials with a dielectric constant between 10 and 60, preferably between 30 and 40, to enhance radio frequency communication efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprising an implantable medical device (102), IMD, and a container for storing the IMD (102) prior to implantation in body tissue, the IMD (102) comprising transmitter/receiver circuitry (202) and at least one antenna (110) for wireless communication, which apparatus comprises at least one member (308) positioned in proximity to the IMD (102) when stored in the container, and in that the electrical material properties of the member (308) are such that the input impedance of the antenna (110) is adjusted to improve receive and transmit properties of the antenna (110) when the IMD (102) is stored in the container. A container for storing an IMD (102) having an antenna (110), which container comprises a packaging tray (302) for housing the IMD (102), the packaging tray (302) comprising a support (304) for supporting the IMD (102), which container comprises at least one member (308) positioned in proximity to the support (304), and in that the electrical material properties of the member (308) are such that the input impedance of the antenna (110) of a IMD (102) supported by said support (304) is adjusted to improve receive and transmit properties of the antenna (110). A method for packaging an IMD (102) prior to implantation in body tissue.