Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) antenna and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An IMD can include a ceramic structure having at least one wall defining a hollow cavity. The ceramic structure can include a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first end being open to provide access to the hollow cavity and the second end being closed. The IMD also includes an antenna cofire-integrated into the at least one wall of the ceramic structure and a housing adjoined to the ceramic structure.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) antenna and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An IMD can include a ceramic structure having at least one wall defining a hollow cavity. The ceramic structure can include a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first and second ends being open to provide access to the hollow cavity. The IMD also includes an antenna cofire-integrated into the at least one wall of the ceramic structure and a housing adjoined to the ceramic structure.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a header for an implantable medical device via a two-shot molding process are described. The two-shot molding processes may include a first molding step that creates a first-shot assembly and a second molding step that creates a second-shot assembly. The first-shot assembly may be formed to include one or more protrusions configured to interact with a second-shot mold and/or molding material in the second molding step. The second molding step may be configured to overmold the first-shot assembly. The header may include an attachment plate at least partially embedded in molding material and configured to be mechanically coupled to a body of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes antenna structures for use with implantable medical devices (IMDs). The IMD may include a housing that hermetically encloses electronic components of the IMD and a fixation mechanism that attaches the IMD to a target location within a patient, such as a wall of a vessel. The fixation mechanism may function as a radiating element of an antenna of the IMD. The fixation mechanism may be attached to a housing of the IMD with two different members. One member may be an anchoring structure that mechanically anchors the fixation mechanism to the housing. The second member may be a connector that electrically connects the fixation mechanism to the housing such that the fixation mechanism is configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals with other implantable or external devices.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a header for an implantable medical device via a two-shot molding process are described. The two-shot molding processes may include a first molding step that creates a first-shot assembly and a second molding step that creates a second-shot assembly. The first-shot assembly may be formed to include one or more protrusions configured to interact with a second-shot mold and/or molding material in the second molding step. The second molding step may be configured to overmold the first-shot assembly. The header may include an attachment plate at least partially embedded in molding material and configured to be mechanically coupled to a body of the implantable medical device.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a header for an implantable medical device via a two-shot molding process are described. The two-shot molding processes may include a first molding step that creates a first-shot assembly and a second molding step that creates a second-shot assembly. The first-shot assembly may be formed to include one or more protrusions configured to interact with a second-shot mold and/or molding material in the second molding step. The second molding step may be configured to overmold the first-shot assembly. The header may include an attachment plate at least partially embedded in molding material and configured to be mechanically coupled to a body of the implantable medical device.

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: Methods are provided for fabricating three-dimensional electrically conductive structures. Three-dimensional electrically conductive microstructures are also provided. The method may include providing a mold having at least one microdepression which defines a three-dimensional structure; filling the microdepression of the mold with at least one substrate material; molding the at least one substrate material to form a substrate; and depositing and patterning of at least one electrically conductive layer either during the molding process or subsequent to the molding process to form an electrically conductive structure. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional electrically conductive microstructure comprises an electrically functional microneedle array comprising two or more microneedles, each including a high aspect ratio, polymeric three dimensional substrate structure which is at least substantially coated by an electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: This disclosure describes antenna structures for use with implantable medical devices (IMDs). The IMD may include a housing that hermetically encloses electronic components of the IMD and a fixation mechanism that attaches the IMD to a target location within a patient, such as a wall of a vessel. The fixation mechanism may function as a radiating element of an antenna of the IMD. The fixation mechanism may be attached to a housing of the IMD with two different members. One member may be an anchoring structure that mechanically anchors the fixation mechanism to the housing. The second member may be a connector that electrically connects the fixation mechanism to the housing such that the fixation mechanism is configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals with other implantable or external devices.

Abstract: This disclosure describes antenna structures for use in an implantable medical device. The antenna structure may include an inner portion that is magnetically coupled to an outer portion. In one example, the inner and outer portions comprise conductive loops. In accordance with the techniques of this disclosure, a capacitive sensor is electrically coupled to one of the conductive loops of the antenna of the implantable medical device. As the capacitance of the capacitive sensor changes as a function of the sensed parameter, an impedance of the antenna varies with the output of the capacitive sensor. This variation in impedance of the antenna modulates a carrier signal with the measured parameter. In other words, the measured parameter is modulated onto the carrier signal as a change in amplitude caused by variation in impedance of antenna during radiation/transmission.

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 describes antenna structures for use in an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include a housing that hermetically encloses electronic components of the implantable medical device and a fixation mechanism that affixes the implantable medical device to a target location, such as a wall of a vessel. The fixation mechanism functions as a radiating element of an antenna of the implantable medical device. The housing of the implantable medical device may include a conductive loop that electrically couples to a telemetry module and magnetically couples to the fixation mechanism. The telemetry module may provide signals to be transmitted to the inner loop and those signals are magnetically coupled between the inner loop and the fixation mechanism, which radiates the signals.

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: An antenna for an implantable medical device (IMD) is provided including a monolithic structure derived from a plurality of discrete dielectric layers having an antenna embedded within the monolithic structure. Superstrate dielectric layers formed above the antenna may provide improved matching gradient with the surrounding environment to mitigate energy reflection effects. A outermost biocompatible layer is positioned over the superstrates as an interface with the surrounding environment. A shielding layer is positioned under the antenna to provide electromagnetic shielding for the IMD circuitry. Substrate dielectric layers formed below the antenna may possess higher dielectric values to allow the distance between the antenna and ground shielding layer to be minimized. An electromagnetic bandgap layer may be positioned between the antenna and the shielding layer.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating three-dimensional electrically conductive structures. Three-dimensional electrically conductive microstructures are also provided. The method may include providing a mold having at least one microdepression which defines a three-dimensional structure; filling the microdepression of the mold with at least one substrate material; molding the at least one substrate material to form a substrate; and depositing and patterning of at least one electrically conductive layer either during the molding process or subsequent to the molding process to form an electrically conductive structure. In one embodiment, the three-dimensional electrically conductive microstructure comprises an electrically functional microneedle array comprising two or more microneedles, each including a high aspect ratio, polymeric three dimensional substrate structure which is at least substantially coated by an electrically conductive layer.