Null-free antenna array for use in communication with implantable medical devices
US6463329B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/37229
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved telemetry head that employs two coils is disclosed. A first, larger diameter outer coil is generally employed to initiate telemetric communication between the programmer or monitor and the implanted device. In the event that successful communication is not accomplished using the outer coil, the programmer or monitor attempts communication using the inner coil. Any resultant reduced signal strength that may be associated with use of the smaller diameter inner coil is acceptable based on the assumption that the antenna of the implanted device is located in the null associated with the outer antenna coil and thus is located in close proximity to the inner coil. To prevent loss of signal strength, addition turns may be employed to implement the inner coil. In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second coils is of a dual-coil configuration having two coils in series opposition to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.