Implantable Antenna With Offset Transverse Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable pulse generators (IPGs) face space constraints in their headers, limiting the size and communication capabilities of antennas due to the presence of numerous components, making it challenging to accommodate effective wireless communication systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of an antenna assembly with a dielectric antenna body and trace layers arranged to minimize capacitive coupling, using biocompatible materials like alumina ceramic and gold, and incorporating capacitive features to tune the antenna's performance, allowing for a longer antenna length within the limited header space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the header space is allocated priority to lead connectors and other critical components, then the reliability of electrical connection is improved, but the antenna length and communication capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna trace transitions from a planar two-dimensional layout to a three-dimensional multi-layer configuration within the header. By stacking trace portions across multiple layers and connecting them through vias, the antenna achieves greater effective length and improved communication capabilities without increasing the horizontal footprint that would encroach on lead connector space.
2Length of moving object
If the antenna trace is arranged in multiple overlapping layers to increase antenna length, then the communication capabilities are improved, but the capacitive coupling between layers increases causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna trace is segmented into multiple discrete portions distributed across different layers, connected through vias. This segmentation allows the trace to achieve greater total length while reducing continuous capacitive coupling between layers, as the connections are made at discrete points rather than along continuous overlapping paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the antenna structure have different properties: trace portions in overlapping regions are specifically designed with controlled capacitive coupling characteristics, while non-overlapping regions minimize coupling. The via connections are strategically placed to optimize the local electrical characteristics and manage capacitive effects in specific areas.
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 wireless communication by accommodating a longer antenna length while reducing capacitive coupling, enhancing the communication capabilities of IPGs within the constrained header space.
Implementation Method 1
trace layers arranged to minimize capacitive coupling
Implementation Method 2
antenna trace disposed within the antenna body and arranged in a plurality of transverse trace layers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an implantable electronic device (20, 120) having a housing (24, 124) containing an electrical circuit. The implantable electronic device (20, 120) further includes an antenna assembly (50, 150, 250, 350, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) coupled to the electrical circuit. The antenna assembly (50, 150, 250, 350, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) has an antenna (52, 152, 252, 352, 400, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002) with a dielectric antenna body (402, 504, 604, 704, 804, 904, 1004) within which an antenna trace (404, 505, 605, 705, 805, 905, 1005) is disposed. Portions (406, 408, 506, 508, 606, 608, 706, 708, 806, 808, 906, 908, 1006, 1008) of the antenna trace (404, 505, 605, 705, 805, 905, 1005) are disposed in offset transverse layers in a non-overlapping arrangement, thereby reducing capacitive coupling between the layers of the antenna trace (404, 505, 605, 705, 805, 905, 1005). In certain implementations, the antenna assembly (50, 150, 250, 350, 600, 700) has one or more capacitive features (620, 720) that selectively overlap portions of the antenna trace (605, 705) and facilitate tuning of the antenna (52, 152,252,352,602,702).