Abstract: Methods for manufacturing implantable electronic devices include forming an antenna of the implantable electronic device by delivering an antenna trace within a dielectric antenna body. The antenna trace includes a first trace portion disposed in a first transverse layer and defining a first trace path and a second trace portion disposed in a second transverse layer longitudinally offset from the first transverse layer and defining a second trace path. If projected to be coplanar, the first trace path defines a trace boundary and the second trace path is within the trace boundary.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable electronic device including a housing containing an electrical circuit. The implantable electronic device further includes an antenna assembly coupled to the electrical circuit. The antenna assembly includes an antenna including a dielectric antenna body within which an antenna trace is disposed. Portions of the antenna trace are disposed in offset transverse layers in a non-overlapping arrangement, thereby reducing capacitive coupling between the layers of the antenna trace. In certain implementations, the antenna assembly includes one or more capacitive features that selectively overlap portions of the antenna trace and facilitate tuning of the antenna.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a communication session with an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The method includes configuring an IMD and an external device to communicate with one another through a protocol that utilizes a dedicated advertisement channel. The advertisement period and the scan period of the protocol are independent of one another such that the advertisement and scan periods at least partially overlap intermittently after a number of cycles. When the external device detects one of the advertisement notices, the method includes establishing a communications link between the external device and the IMD.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a communication session with an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The method includes configuring an IMD and an external device to communicate with one another through a protocol that utilizes a dedicated advertisement channel. The advertisement period and the scan period of the protocol are independent of one another such that the advertisement and scan periods at least partially overlap intermittently after a number of cycles. When the external device detects one of the advertisement notices, the method includes establishing a communications link between the external device and the IMD.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable electronic device including a housing containing an electrical circuit. The implantable electronic device further includes an antenna assembly coupled to the electrical circuit. The antenna assembly includes an antenna including a dielectric antenna body within which an antenna trace is disposed. Portions of the antenna trace are disposed in offset transverse layers in a non-overlapping arrangement, thereby reducing capacitive coupling between the layers of the antenna trace. In certain implementations, the antenna assembly includes one or more capacitive features that selectively overlap portions of the antenna trace and facilitate tuning of the antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable electronic device having a housing containing an electrical circuit. The implantable electronic device further includes an antenna assembly coupled to the electrical circuit. The antenna assembly has an antenna with a dielectric antenna body within which an antenna trace is disposed. Portions of the antenna trace are disposed in offset transverse layers in a non-overlapping arrangement, thereby reducing capacitive coupling between the layers of the antenna trace. In certain implementations, the antenna assembly has one or more capacitive features that selectively overlap portions of the antenna trace and facilitate tuning of the antenna.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a communication session with an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The method includes configuring an IMD and an external device to communicate with one another through a protocol that utilizes a dedicated advertisement channel. The advertisement period and the scan period of the protocol are independent of one another such that the advertisement and scan periods at least partially overlap intermittently after a number of cycles. When the external device detects one of the advertisement notices, the method includes establishing a communications link between the external device and the IMD.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implantable electronic device having a housing containing an electrical circuit. The implantable electronic device further includes an antenna assembly coupled to the electrical circuit. The antenna assembly has an antenna with a dielectric antenna body within which an antenna trace is disposed. Portions of the antenna trace are disposed in offset transverse layers in a non-overlapping arrangement, thereby reducing capacitive coupling between the layers of the antenna trace. In certain implementations, the antenna assembly has one or more capacitive features that selectively overlap portions of the antenna trace and facilitate tuning of the antenna.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a near field communications (NFC) detector network for use in an implantable medical device. The NFC detector network includes a combined Bluetooth low energy (BLE)NFC antenna, a BLE transceiver, a BLE path electrically connecting the combined BLE/NFC antenna to the BLE transceiver and configured to communicate BLE signals received at the combined BLE/NFC antenna to the BLE transceiver, and an NFC path electrically connecting the combined BLE/NFC antenna to the BLE transceiver, the NFC path configured to generate an activation signal for the BLE transceiver based on an NFC signal received at the combined BLE/NFC antenna.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a communication session with an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The method includes configuring an IMD and an external device to communicate with one another through a protocol that utilizes a dedicated advertisement channel. The advertisement period and the scan period of the protocol are independent of one another such that the advertisement and scan periods at least partially overlap intermittently after a number of cycles. When the external device detects one of the advertisement notices, the method includes establishing a communications link between the external device and the IMD.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a communication session with an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The method includes configuring an IMD and an external device to communicate with one another through a protocol that utilizes a dedicated advertisement channel. The advertisement period and the scan period of the protocol are independent of one another such that the advertisement and scan periods at least partially overlap intermittently after a number of cycles. When the external device detects one of the advertisement notices, the method includes establishing a communications link between the external device and the IMD.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a communication session with an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The method includes configuring an IMD and an external device to communicate with one another through a protocol that utilizes a dedicated advertisement channel. The advertisement period and the scan period of the protocol are independent of one another such that the advertisement and scan periods at least partially overlap intermittently after a number of cycles. When the external device detects one of the advertisement notices, the method includes establishing a communications link between the external device and the IMD.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a communication session with an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The method includes configuring an IMD and an external device to communicate with one another through a protocol that utilizes a dedicated advertisement channel. The advertisement period and the scan period of the protocol are independent of one another such that the advertisement and scan periods at least partially overlap intermittently after a number of cycles. When the external device detects one of the advertisement notices, the method includes establishing a communications link between the external device and the IMD.

Abstract: A method for operating an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a patient may include scanning for a wakeup request signal from an external programmer over a first frequency band at a first power level, switching to communication over a second frequency band at a second power level after the IMD detects the wakeup request signal, wherein the switching operation initiates an initial data exchange session during a common connected time period between the IMD and the external programmer, and cycling between the first and second power levels during the common connected time period based on whether data is being exchanged between the external programmer and the IMD.

Abstract: A method for operating an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a patient may include scanning for a wakeup request signal from an external programmer over a first frequency band at a first power level, switching to communication over a second frequency band at a second power level after the IMD detects the wakeup request signal, wherein the switching operation initiates an initial data exchange session during a common connected time period between the IMD and the external programmer, and cycling between the first and second power levels during the common connected time period based on whether data is being exchanged between the external programmer and the IMD.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a communication session with an implantable medical device (“IMD”). The method includes configuring an IMD and an external device to communicate with one another through a protocol that utilizes a dedicated advertisement channel. The IMD periodically transmitting advertisement notices over the dedicated advertisement channel according to the protocol. The advertisement notices being transmitted periodically at an advertisement period over multiple cycles. The method further includes repeatedly scanning the advertisement channel, by the external device, for select scanning intervals in search of the advertisement notices, the scanning operation being repeated periodically at a scan period over the multiple cycles. The advertisement period and the scan period are independent of one another such that the advertisement and scan periods at least partially overlap intermittently after a number of cycles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shield for shielding a telemetry wand from electromagnetical interference capable of interfering with telemetry communications between the telemetry wand and an AIMD in a patient. The telemetry wand may include a first side that is configured to be placed against a patient, a second side generally opposite the first side, a lateral side between the first and second sides, a hole extending between the first and second sides, and a cable extending from the lateral side. The shield may include a shell including a wall that defines a volume and an opening in the shell. The volume may be configured to receive therein the telemetry wand such that the second and lateral sides of the telemetry wand face respective portions of the wall and the first side faces the opening in the shell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shield for shielding a telemetry wand from electromagnetical interference capable of interfering with telemetry communications between the telemetry wand and an AIMD in a patient. The telemetry wand may include a first side that is configured to be placed against a patient, a second side generally opposite the first side, a lateral side between the first and second sides, a hole extending between the first and second sides, and a cable extending from the lateral side. The shield may include a shell including a wall that defines a volume and an opening in the shell. The volume may be configured to receive therein the telemetry wand such that the second and lateral sides of the telemetry wand face respective portions of the wall and the first side faces the opening in the shell.

Abstract: A leakage detection system for use in an implantable cardiac stimulation device, such as a cardioverter defibrillator. The leakage detection system includes a switch bank and a controller that regulates the switching arrangements of various switches. The leakage detection system causes pulse generators to generate a pulse-train waveform comprised of a sequence of pulses of opposite polarities, and to deliver these pulses in a preselected temporal relation. The controller detects the current leakage from the pulse generator to the tissues by sensing and analyzing the voltage or current of the pulse generator, leads, and electrodes. The pulsatility and alternating polarities of biphasic pulse-train waveforms increase the stimulation threshold of the motor or sensory nerves and excitable tissues.

Abstract: A method of operating an implantable medical device containing a Lithium Silver Vanadium Oxide battery. In response to a detected need for therapy, a current flow is delivered from the battery to a charge storage device. After the battery is at least partly depleted by one or more such deliveries of current or other power consumption, the battery is recharged. The recharging may be initiated in response to a selected time threshold, a selected number of current flow delivery events, a selected voltage level, an excess charge time duration, or other operating characteristics. A limited number of recharging cycles may be provided if the charging is done under controlled conditions with respect to charge current and voltage.