Implantable Antenna Spring-Elastic Clip Header Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices require improved telemetry antennas with low assembly complexity and costs while maintaining advantageous electromagnetic properties, and ensuring MRI compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A transmitting/receiving antenna formed from an elongated conductor with a spring-elastic section that clips onto the header, providing a secure fixation and electrical connection, optimized for compactness and material efficiency, with a meandering design and Ω-shaped bracket for enhanced radiation characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is fixed in the header using conventional methods, then the antenna can be secured in place, but the assembly process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is divided into multiple sections, with the first section being spring-elastic and forming a clip that can independently engage with the header. This segmentation allows the fixation function to be separated from the antenna's radiation function, enabling simple tool-free assembly while maintaining reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first section of the conductor is designed with spring-elastic properties, making it dynamically adaptable. This elastic section can deform during assembly to engage with the header and then maintain constant contact pressure, providing reliable fixation without requiring complex mechanical fastening systems.
2Volume of moving object
If the antenna uses a compact design to fit in the header, then the device size is reduced, but the assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna's mechanical properties are changed by making the first section spring-elastic rather than rigid. This parameter change allows the antenna to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations through elastic deformation, reducing the precision requirements while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-elastic section acts as a cushioning element that absorbs assembly errors and tolerances before they affect the connection quality. This beforehand cushioning through elastic compliance ensures reliable assembly even with moderate manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If the conductor length is increased to improve radiation characteristics, then the antenna performance improves, but the available space in the header is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna conductor is arranged in three-dimensional space within the header, utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions efficiently. The meandering path of the conductor through multiple sections allows achieving the required electrical length while confining the physical footprint within the limited header volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna conductor is nested within the header structure, with the conductor path routed through and around existing header components. This nesting approach allows the antenna to achieve sufficient conductor length for good radiation characteristics while occupying minimal additional space.
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
The solution simplifies assembly, reduces costs, and ensures reliable fixation and MRI compatibility by optimizing conductor length and radiation surface, while preventing deformation during assembly and improving antenna performance.
Implementation Method 1
A first section of the conductor is designed to be spring-elastic and forms a clip, the clip enclosing a connection socket in the header
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An implantable medical electronic device comprising a device body and a header mounted thereon, with a telemetry assembly for signal transmission to and/or from outside the body of a patient in the implanted state of the device, in particular for wireless bidirectional communication, wherein the telemetry assembly is at least largely associated with a transmit/receive antenna spatially shaped from an elongated conductor and arranged in the area of the header, which is configured such that it has a positive fit with the outer contour of at least one part of the header and is thereby fixed in the header, wherein a first section (25.2) of the conductor is spring-elastic and forms a clamp (24), wherein the clamp (24) engages a connector socket (22) in the header (21).Furthermore, a transmit/receive antenna (25; 45A - 45D) of a telemetry assembly of an implantable medical electronic device (20) is disclosed.