Communication dipole for implantable medical device

US8515559B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jonathan P. Roberts · Coon Rapids, US
• Can Cinbis · Shoreview, US
• David J. Peichel · Minneapolis, US
• James Calvin Allan · Santa Rosa, US
• James D. Reinke · Maple Grove, US
• Kamal Deep Mothilal · Maple Grove, US
• Erik Griswold · Penngrove, US
• George Patras · Greenfield, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 27, 2012
• Grant date: Aug 20, 2013
• Expiry date: Jan 27, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2562/0247
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device having a communication dipole configured in accordance with the techniques described herein. In one example, the disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device comprising a housing that encloses at least a communication module, a first electrode of a communication dipole electrically coupled to the communication module and an electrically conductive fixation mechanism that is electrically coupled to a portion of the housing and wherein a portion of the fixation mechanism is configured to function as at least part of a second electrode of the communication dipole. The electrically conductive fixation mechanism includes a dielectric material that covers at least part of a surface of the fixation mechanism. The communication module is configured to transmit or receive a modulated signal between the first electrode and second electrode of the communication dipole.