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, and a telemetry antenna located within the header block. The header block is formed from a dielectric material, which encapsulates the antenna. The antenna is configured to support far field telemetry with an external device such as a programmer. In one example embodiment, the antenna is formed from a thin round wire, has a feed point on the top perimeter sidewall of the housing, and has a floating endpoint in the header block. The antenna is contoured to form a simple curve in a plane that is approximately parallel with the major sides of the housing.

Abstract: A communications device facilitates communication between a medical device and a wireless communications network and comprises a telemetry circuit configured to wirelessly communicate with one or more medical devices, and a computer network communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate directly with a wireless computer network. The communications device also comprises a peripheral device communication interface configured to communicate with a wireless peripheral device and a processor being in operable communication with, and configured to control operations of, the telemetry circuit, the network communication interface, and the peripheral device communication interface.

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, and a telemetry antenna located within the header block. The header block is formed from a dielectric material, which encapsulates the antenna. The antenna is configured to support far field telemetry with an external device such as a programmer. In one example embodiment, the antenna is formed from a thin round wire, has a feed point on the top perimeter sidewall of the housing, and has a floating endpoint in the header block. The antenna is contoured to form a simple curve in a plane that is approximately parallel with the major sides of the housing.

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: An implantable device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD) includes at least two radio frequency (RF) antennas and may additionally include an RF communication circuit. The RF antennas are spatially diverse, are disposed adjacent a housing, and are each configured to receive RF signals transmitted to the IMD from a remote RF signal source. The RF communication circuit, if included, is disposed within the housing and is configured to selectively receive the RF signals received by one or more of the spatially diverse RF antennas.

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, and an optional telemetry antenna coupled to the header block. The optional antenna assembly is suitably configured to support the intended IMD application (e.g., the desired telemetry range, the intended IMD implant location, or other practical considerations). The optional antenna assembly may be utilized by itself or in cooperation with a permanent telemetry antenna of the IMD. In one practical embodiment, the optional antenna assembly has a connection end that is compliant with known pacemaker electrode lead standards, which allows the IMD to leverage existing connection methodologies.

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, and an optional telemetry antenna coupled to the header block. The optional antenna assembly is suitably configured to support the intended IMD application (e.g., the desired telemetry range, the intended IMD implant location, or other practical considerations). The optional antenna assembly may be utilized by itself or in cooperation with a permanent telemetry antenna of the IMD. In one practical embodiment, the optional antenna assembly has a connection end that is compliant with known pacemaker electrode lead standards, which allows the IMD to leverage existing connection methodologies.

Abstract: A remote patient monitoring system is provided including an implantable medical device (IMD) capable of collecting and storing medical data and multiple, networked external monitoring devices adapted for wireless communication with the IMD. The networked monitoring devices may be configured such that one device is the master and remaining devices are repeater units wherein the master monitoring device coordinates communication between the networked devices and the IMD based on maximizing the received transmission signal strength between the IMD and the monitoring device network. The system may further include a data communications network coupled to at least one of the multiple external monitoring devices to allow data to be transferred to a database or other communication medium. Likewise, data may be received by the monitoring device network from a database or other communication medium to be transferred to the IMD.