Coaxial cable antenna for communication with implanted medical devices

Abstract

In general, the invention is directed to a coaxial cable antenna for use in an external device, such as a programmer or monitor, to enhance communication between the external device and an implanted medical device (IMD). The coaxial cable antenna provides the external device with polarization diversity. For example, the coaxial cable antenna includes a first portion and a second portion that are substantially perpendicular to one another. Each of the portions of the coaxial cable antenna has a different polarization orientation, thus providing the programmer with polarization diversity. Further, the external device may include more than one coaxial cable antenna to provide the external device with spatial diversity as well as polarization diversity provided by the coaxial cable antenna design. The coaxial cable antenna configurations reduce problems associated with polarization mismatches, antenna nulls, and multi-path propagation interference.

1 . A device to communicate with an implanted medical device, the device comprising:
 a first coaxial cable antenna;   a second coaxial cable antenna; and   a receiver that receives signals from the implanted medical device via at least one of the first and second coaxial cable antennas.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter that transmits signals to the implanted medical device via at least one of the first and second coaxial cable antennas. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display to convey data received from the implanted medical device to a user. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the display includes a display housing, and the coaxial cable antennas are mounted within the housing. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second coaxial cable antennas are located in apposition to one another. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the coaxial cable antennas includes a first portion in substantially parallel orientation with a side of the display and a second portion in substantially parallel orientation with another side of the display. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the coaxial cable antennas includes an outer conductive cladding, and a portion of the outer conductive cladding is removed to expose an insulator of the coaxial cable antenna. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein each of the coaxial cable antennas includes a center conductor, and wherein a portion of the exposed insulator is removed to expose the center conductor of the coaxial cable antenna. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a resistor connected between the exposed center conductor of the coaxial cable antenna and the outer conductive cladding of the coaxial cable antenna. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a capacitor connected between the exposed center conductor of the coaxial cable antenna and the outer conductive cladding of the coaxial cable antenna. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the coaxial cable antennas comprises a hole that extends partially through coaxial cable antenna to cut through the center conductor of the coaxial cable antennas in order to tune an operating frequency of the antenna. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the coaxial cable antennas includes an center portion that exposes a center conductor of the coaxial cable antenna. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the coaxial cable antennas are spaced a fraction of a wavelength apart from one another to achieve spatial diversity. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the coaxial cable antennas are spaced substantially one-half of a wavelength apart from one another to achieve spatial diversity. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an operating frequency of the coaxial cable antennas is approximately 403 megahertz. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a programmer for the implanted medical device. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a patient monitor for the implanted medical device. 
   
   
       18 . A device to communicate with an implanted medical device, the device comprising:
 a plurality of coaxial cable antennas;   a receiver to receive signals from the implanted medical device via at least one of the coaxial cable antennas; and   a device housing, the coaxial cable antennas mounted within the device housing.