Abstract: An implantable medical device (“IMD”) as described herein includes adjustable power characteristics such as variable transmitter output power and variable receiver front end gain. These power characteristics are adjusted based upon the intended or actual implant depth of the IMD. The IMD may process an IMD implant depth value (provided by an external IMD programming device) to generate power scaling instructions or control signals that are interpreted by the IMD transmitter and/or the IMD receiver. Such adjustability enables the IMD to satisfy minimum telemetry requirements in a manner that does not waste power, thus extending the IMD battery life.

Abstract: An implantable medical device with a medical module, an antenna, a transceiver and an impedance match circuit. The transceiver is operatively coupled to the antenna and the medical module and facilitates wireless transmission of data between the medical module and an external device. The impedance match circuit is operatively coupled between the transceiver and the antenna and has a plurality of predetermined selectable configurations, each providing a particular impedance matching characteristic.

Abstract: A medical device for wirelessly communicating with at least one implantable medical device (IMD) comprises a telemetry circuit that monitors an ambient noise on one or more communication channels used for the wireless communication with the at least one IMD. The medical device also includes a network interface that transmits data corresponding to the monitored ambient noise to a data storage device external from the device. The data storage device may retrieve and present the data corresponding to the monitored ambient noise received from one or more medical devices to facilitate identification or characterization of noise sources, designing or updating medical devices to compensate for ambient noise, or troubleshooting or otherwise analyzing operation of the medical devices. In some cases, the data storage device may automatically analyze the ambient noise to and, for example, provide alerts relating to ambient noise or medical device operation.

Abstract: A remote programming method is provided for safe and secure programming of a medical device at a remote location. A centralized programming instrument for use by a clinician or third party is provided with a network communication connection with a remote external medical device, such as a home programmer or monitor. The external medical device is located in the vicinity of a patient having an implantable medical device (IMD) and is in bi-directional telemetric communication with the IMD to allow instructions received from the centralized programming instrument to be transferred to the IMD. The remote programming method used for transferring information between the central programming instrument and an IMD includes measures to promote safe and secure remote programming of the IMD, which measures may include authorization requirements, programming condition requirements, implementation of programmed data requirements, and maintenance of a remote programming log.

Abstract: A remote programming method is provided for safe and secure programming of a medical device at a remote location. A centralized programming instrument for use by a clinician or third party is provided with a network communication connection with a remote external medical device, such as a home programmer or monitor. The external medical device is located in the vicinity of a patient having an implantable medical device (IMD) and is in bi-directional telemetric communication with the IMD to allow instructions received from the centralized programming instrument to be transferred to the IMD. The remote programming method used for transferring information between the central programming instrument and an IMD includes measures to promote safe and secure remote programming of the IMD, which measures may include authorization requirements, programming condition requirements, implementation of programmed data requirements, and maintenance of a remote programming log.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (“IMD”) configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention generally includes a housing, a connector header block coupled to the housing, a dielectric sheath located around at least a portion of the housing and/or around at least a portion of the header block, and a telemetry antenna located within the dielectric sheath. The antenna is configured to support far field telemetry with an external device such as a programmer. In one example embodiment, the antenna is configured as a balanced antenna having two separate antenna elements driven 180 degrees out of phase. Each of the antenna elements has a feed point on a perimeter edge of the IMD housing and a floating endpoint. A number of alternate embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A telemetry component according to an embodiment of the invention, such as a programmer or a monitor for an implantable medical device (“IMD”), includes at least one radio frequency (“RF”) antenna that is configured to accommodate far-field telemetry between the telemetry component and the IMD. The RF antenna is shaped, sized, positioned, and otherwise configured to account for surface current cancellation caused by induced surface current on an electrically conductive surface of the telemetry component.

Abstract: A local communication network for an implantable medical device system is provided. The system includes a first medical device and a second medical device adapted for implantation in the body of a patient including a telemetry circuit enabled for transmitting data via a wireless communication link to the first medical device. The system further includes a third device comprising signal generating circuitry for generating a wake-up signal. The second implantable medical device transitions from an “off” state to a high-power “on” state in response to the wake-up signal generated by the third device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system includes, in one embodiment, a first device including a first communication module coupled to a wireless communication network for transmitting data and a second device adapted for implantation in a patient's body including a second communication module coupled to the wireless communication network and adapted to receive data from the first device. The second device may include an equalizer coupled to the second communication module for reducing signal distortion of the data received wirelessly through the patient's body. The second device may convert a received signal to an acoustic or radio-frequency output signal.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (“IMD”) as described herein includes adjustable power characteristics such as variable transmitter output power and variable receiver front end gain. These power characteristics can be adjusted in a dynamic manner based upon various operating aspects of the intended or actual IMD telemetry environment. These operating aspects may include the external telemetry device type, the IMD device type, and/or the type, context, or meaning of the telemetry data transmitted by the IMD. The IMD may process information related to these operating aspects to generate power scaling instructions or control signals that are interpreted by the IMD transmitter and/or the IMD receiver. Such adjustability enables the IMD to satisfy minimum telemetry requirements in a manner that does not waste power, thus extending the IMD battery life.

Abstract: An RF antenna flexible circuit interconnect is disclosed with unique micro connectors. The RF antenna flexible circuit interconnect further includes a planer flexible body having an embedded RF transmission line with a first end and a second end. A first antenna micro connector is electrically coupled to the first end of the RF transmission line and a second antenna micro connector is electrically coupled to the second end of the RF transmission line. Each of the first and second antenna micro connectors include an antenna micro connector housing and an antenna central contact socket securely positioned within the antenna micro connector housing. The antenna central contact socket may also include inward bending fingers and may be designed to engage a pin that is inserted into the central contact socket.

Abstract: A telemetry antenna for an implantable medical device includes one or more portions having a non-linear configuration. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration provides an antenna having a greater antenna length than the linear lengthwise dimension of the antenna structure. In some embodiments, the non-linear configuration is a serpentine pattern.

Abstract: A device external to an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided with an accurate reference clock. The programmer receives time data from the IMD and compares that data to time data from the reference clock. Based on this comparison, the programmer determines how much a clock within the IMD is drifting per unit of time. A correction factor is generated so that data received from the IMD can then be correlated to the correct reference time.

Abstract: An automated identification and configuration system for use with an implantable medical device (IMD) is disclosed. The system includes a first communication circuit that is attached to, or otherwise carried by, a detachable component associated with the IMD such as a medical lead. The communication circuit stores data such as model numbers, serial numbers, technical data, and/or calibration information that describes the additional component. This information may be transferred by the first communications circuit to a second communications circuit that is external to the additional component. This transferred data can be used to automatically configure the internal circuitry and connection functions of the IMD to properly interface with, and support, the additional component. For example, the data can be used to automatically adjust amplifier gains or other sensor circuitry, or to configure a connector block to properly couple to the component.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for synchronizing the internal clocks of two devices, such as an implantable medical device and an external device, with reduced reliance on periodic polling. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a technique in which one of the devices computes a time drift. The time drift may occur because the internal clock of one device may run more slowly than the internal clock of the other device. One device may poll the other as a function of the time drift. In another embodiment, a system of medical devices synchronizes internal clocks to a time signal generated by a time reference.

Abstract: A center tapped chip inductor includes a core and a winding formed from one or more wires wrapped about the core. A first and a second end terminal are provided along with a medially disposed center terminal, all of which are in electrical contact the winding. By providing a center tap on a chip inductor, a high Q component can be produced while retaining the spatial limitations of a two terminal chip inductor.

Abstract: Improved telemetry antennas and methods of fabrication for an implantable medical device (IMD) for use in uplink telemetry (UT) and downlink telemetry (DT) transmissions between the IMD and an external medical device (EMD) are disclosed. A first telemetry antenna element is supported to extend in a first direction along a minor side of the IMD housing by a first header segment, and a second antenna element is supported to extend in a second direction along a second minor side of the IMD housing by a second header segment. The first and second antenna elements are supported to extend apart at substantially 90° to one another, i.e., substantially orthogonally, in substantially a common plane to optimize UT transmission and DT reception of UHF telemetry signals by at least one of the first and second antenna elements depending upon the mutual spatial orientation with the antenna elements of an EMD antenna.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reducing coupled electrical energy resulting from an electromagnetic field. Embodiments of the present invention provide for an elongate body having a proximal end portion, a middle portion, and a distal end portion and at least one coil wound about at least one of the proximal end portion, the middle portion, and the distal end portion, the coil to provide for filtering of radio frequency (RF) signal-coupled electrical energy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a practical, multi-polar, in-line connector system for use in connecting implantable medical devices (IMD) and associated non-standard, low profile medical electrical leads. In addition, the present invention provides a system that uses tool less, frictional, sealed, compressive electrical connections for most or all of the electrical interconnections between an IMD and a low profile lead. A protective sleeve seals the lead connector to the non-standard port to prevent intrusion of body fluids therein. In addition, optional microchip-based circuitry coupled to the sleeve enables wireless communication and remote programming for diverse IMDs. Memory associated with the circuitry can store, update and reprogram a wide variety of information relevant to the IMD, the patient, and the attending physician, among others. For example, the microchip may be used to identify the lead type and characteristics, as well as other useful data.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) having RF telemetry capabilities for uplink transmitting patient data and downlink recieving programming commands to and from an external programmer having an improved RF module configured to occupy small spaces within the IMD housing to further effect the miniaturization thereof. An RF module formed of an RF module substrate and at least one IC chip and discrete components has a volume and dimensions that are optimally minimized to reduce its volumetric form factor.