Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a three-dimensional antenna that may be used for an implantable medical device (IMD). The antenna includes a first antenna portion that includes a plurality of segments arranged substantially parallel to one another in a first plane. The antenna further includes a second antenna portion that includes a plurality of segments arranged substantially parallel to one another in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. The antenna further includes a third antenna portion that includes a plurality of segments arranged substantially parallel to one another in a third plane. The plurality of segments of the third portion are coupled between segments of the first and second portions. The third plane is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane.

Abstract: Unscheduled wireless communication with a medical device is achieved by operating a receiver of the medical device in a series of modes. Each mode provides an increasingly selective evaluation of received RF energy. The receiver, when operating in a first mode, is capable of detecting the presence of RF energy transmitted from a communicating device. The receiver, when operating in a second mode, consumes more energy than the first mode and analyzes the RF energy to determine whether it contains the appropriate type of modulation. When operating in a third mode, the receiver consumes more energy than the second mode, and operates the full receiver to begin communication with the communicating device. The receiver opens a communication session after the RF energy has passed the evaluation by the series of modes to receive an unscheduled communication.

Abstract: Medical data is communicated from a transmitter of an external unit to a receiver of an implantable medical device. The transmitter generates a preamble signal having encoded configuration data that informs the receiver of configuration settings to be used in receiving the medical data. The receiver detects the preamble and validates a modulation pattern of the preamble. Configuration data is decoded from the preamble signal and the receiver configuration is adjusted to receive the medical data.

Abstract: Unscheduled wireless communication with a medical device is achieved by operating a receiver of the medical device in a series of modes. Each mode provides an increasingly selective evaluation of received RF energy. The receiver, when operating in a first mode, is capable of detecting the presence of RF energy transmitted from a communicating device. The receiver, when operating in a second mode, consumes more energy than the first mode and analyzes the RF energy to determine whether it contains the appropriate type of modulation. When operating in a third mode, the receiver consumes more energy than the second mode, and operates the full receiver to begin communication with the communicating device. The receiver opens a communication session after the RF energy has passed the evaluation by the series of modes to receive an unscheduled communication.

Abstract: Medical devices are provided with multi-element antenna systems that may function to automatically tune the antenna as a function of the operating environment of the medical device. The tuning methodology may incorporate a multi-element antenna having a variable capacitive element on a first of the antenna elements with that antenna element being driven by a second of the antenna elements. In an embodiment, a multi-element antenna system may acquire measurements of predefined criteria and the antenna may be tuned as a function of the measured criteria to optimize operation of the antenna in both reception and transmission of signals. In so doing the antenna impedance can be matched to the transmission line impedance.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a three-dimensional antenna that may be used for an implantable medical device (IMD). The antenna includes a first antenna portion that includes a plurality of segments arranged substantially parallel to one another in a first plane. The antenna further includes a second antenna portion that includes a plurality of segments arranged substantially parallel to one another in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane. The antenna further includes a third antenna portion that includes a plurality of segments arranged substantially parallel to one another in a third plane. The plurality of segments of the third portion are coupled between segments of the first and second portions. The third plane is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane.

Abstract: Unscheduled wireless communication with a medical device is achieved by operating a receiver of the medical device in a series of modes. Each mode provides an increasingly selective evaluation of received RF energy. The receiver, when operating in a first mode, is capable of detecting the presence of RF energy transmitted from a communicating device. The receiver, when operating in a second mode, consumes more energy than the first mode and analyzes the RF energy to determine whether it contains the appropriate type of modulation. When operating in a third mode, the receiver consumes more energy than the second mode, and operates the full receiver to begin communication with the communicating device. The receiver opens a communication session after the RF energy has passed the evaluation by the series of modes to receive an unscheduled communication.

Abstract: Data is communicated from a transmitter of an external unit to a receiver of an implantable medical device. The receiver of the implantable medical device operates in a wide band receiver mode to detect the transmission from the external unit and operates in a narrow band receiver mode to receive the data.

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: Device mounting cutouts in PCBs often alter desired characteristic trace impedances by disrupting the continuous low-impedance electrical connection between two or more ground planes that contribute to the control of the trace impedances. Maintaining control of the trace impedances is particularly important in PCBs containing RF devices. Plating one or more inner walls of an RF device mounting cutout with a conductive material in areas proximate to an RF trace enhances RF trace impedance control by establishing a low-impedance electrical connection between the ground planes at the cutout edges. In areas where RF traces contact the conductive plating, notches physically isolating the RF traces from the conductive plating also provide electrical isolation.

Abstract: A multi-layered laminate structure forms a cover member that is capable of being sealed around the edges of a circuit board, around connector assemblies mounted on the circuit board, and against a mounting panel to which the circuit board is attached, to provide a sealed environment for electrical components mounted on the circuit board.

Abstract: An improved automatic/remote RF instrument monitoring system including a plurality of transponders configured to operate with one of a plurality of parameter sensing instruments remotely located from an interrogate/receiver. The interrogate/receiver transmits RF transponder activation signals in the form of a tone modulated onto a carrier. In response to the activation signals, the transponders "wake-up" and transmit an RF transponder signal which is received and processed by the interrogate/receiver. The transponders include a transmission enable circuit which initiates transmission of the RF transponder signals at random times after receipt of the activation signals. The RF transponder signals are formed by a plurality of spaced transponder information packets.

Abstract: A rapid channel skip system for radio receiver having a single channel skipping switch to inhibit the radio receiver from receiving any of selected channels of a plurality of channels of predetermined frequencies while scanning repetitively those channel selected to be received. A clock oscillator having a scan frequency controls the scanning time of channels to be received and a skip oscillator having a skip frequency oscillates for one cycle to skip over a channel. The channel skipping switch is utilized to skip, inhibit, bypass, look around, etc., any channel of a plurality of channels a listener does not wish to receive when the rapid channel skip system connected between the squelch control and the oscillator of the radio receiver has stopped on a channel while scanning in the scan mode or has been stepped to a particular channel by the channel stepping switch in the manual mode by actuating the switch.

Abstract: A channel skip memory system for radio receiver having a single channel skipping switch to inhibit the radio receiver from receiving any of selected channels of a plurality of channels of predetermined frequencies while scanning repetitively those channels selected to be received. The channel skipping switch is utilized to skip, inhibit, bypass, look around, etc., any channel of a plurality of channels a listener does not wish to receive when the channel skip memory system connected between the squelch control and the oscillator of the radio receiver has stopped on a channel while scanning in the scan mode or has been stepped to a particular channel by the channel stepping switch in the manual mode by actuating the switch. If the channel skipping switch is actuated a second time when utilizing resettable memory elements on an inhibited channel in the manual mode, the channel is enabled. The channel stepping switch is not functional during the scanning mode.