U.S. patent application number 11/276625 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-29 for antenna systems for implantable medical device telemetry.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.. Invention is credited to William R. Mass, Prashant Rawat, Jeffrey A. Von Arx.
Application Number | 20060142820 11/276625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32392879 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060142820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Von Arx; Jeffrey A. ; et
al. |
June 29, 2006 |
ANTENNA SYSTEMS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE TELEMETRY
Abstract
An implantable medical device system includes an implanted
device communicating with an external device via telemetry. The
implanted device and the external device each have a telemetry
module connected to an antenna system to support a radio-frequency
(RF) telemetry link. The antenna system of the external device has
a manually or automatically controllable directionality. The
controllable directionality is achieved, for example, by using two
or more directional antennas, one non-directional antenna and one
or more directional antennas, or an electronically steerable
phased-array directional antenna.
Inventors: |
Von Arx; Jeffrey A.;
(Minneapolis, MN) ; Rawat; Prashant; (Blaine,
MN) ; Mass; William R.; (Maple Grove, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG, WOESSNER & KLUTH, P.A.
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
32392879 |
Appl. No.: |
11/276625 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10309337 |
Dec 3, 2002 |
|
|
|
11276625 |
Mar 8, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
607/60 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61N 1/37229
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
607/060 |
International
Class: |
A61N 1/08 20060101
A61N001/08 |
Claims
1. A system for communicating with an implantable medical device,
the system comprising: an external device adapted to be
communicatively coupled to the implantable medical device via
radio-frequency (RF) telemetry and adapted to control operation of
the implantable medical device and receive data from the
implantable medical device, the external device comprising: a
transceiver; a phased-array directional antenna; an antenna
interface circuit coupled between the transceiver and the
phased-array directional antenna; and a controller coupled to the
antenna interface circuit, the controller adapted to control an
effective orientation of the phased-array directional antenna.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the phased-array directional
antenna comprises two or more substantially identical planar
antennas.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the two or more substantially
identical planar antennas comprise two or more substantially
identical planar dipole antennas.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the two or more substantially
identical planar antennas are printed on a circuit board housed in
the external device.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises: a
signal analyzer coupled to the transceiver, the signal analyzer
adapted to analyze a quality of each of RF signals received at a
plurality of effective orientations of the phased-array directional
antenna; and an antenna steerer adapted to control the effective
orientation of the phased-array directional antenna based on the
quality of the each of the RF signals.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the antenna steerer is adapted to
determine a first effective orientation associated with the best
signal quality from the plurality of effective orientations of the
phased-array directional antenna, to steer the phased-array
directional antenna to the first effective orientation, and to lock
the directional antenna in the first effective orientation.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the signal analyzer comprises a
peak detection circuit adapted to determine an effective
orientation of the plurality of effective orientations of the
phased-array directional antenna at which a maximum amplitude is
measured.
8. The system of claim 5, wherein the antenna interface circuit
comprises a multiplier adapted to multiply weighting signals with
antenna elements of the phased-array directional antenna, and the
electronic steerer comprises a weighting signal generator adapted
to generate a plurality of weighting signals each corresponding to
one of the antenna elements to control the effective orientation of
the phased-array directional antenna.
9. The system of claim 5, wherein the antenna interface circuit
comprises a plurality of delay lines, and the electronic steerer
comprises a delay line selector adapted to control the
directionality of the phased-array directional antenna by selecting
one of the plurality of delay lines to be coupled between each of
antenna elements of the phased-array directional antenna and the
transceiver.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein each delay line of the plurality
of delay lines comprises a conductive path having a predetermined
length.
11. A method for communicating with an implantable medical device
via radio-frequency (RF) telemetry, the method comprising: steering
a phase-array directional antenna electronically to a plurality of
effective orientations; receiving an RF signal from the implantable
medical device using the phase-array directional antenna at each
effective orientation of the plurality of effective orientations;
analyzing a quality of the received RF signal to produce a set of
one or more quality indicators associated with each effective
orientation of the plurality of effective orientations; and
selecting an effective orientation from the plurality of effective
orientations based on the sets of one or more quality indicators
associated with the plurality of effective orientations.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of effective
orientations includes effective orientations each corresponding to
a range of directions, and further comprising: dividing the
selected effective orientation into a further plurality of
effective orientations if the range of directions associated with
the selected effective orientation is wider than a predetermined
operating beamwidth of the phase-array directional antenna;
repeating the steering, the receiving, and the analyzing for the
further plurality of effective orientations; and selecting a
further effective orientation from the further plurality of
effective orientations based on the sets of one or more quality
indicators associated with the further plurality of effective
orientations.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising repeating the
dividing the selected effective orientation into the further
plurality of effective orientations, the repeating the steering,
the receiving, and the analyzing for the further plurality of
effective orientations, and the selecting the further effective
orientation until the range of directions associated with the
selected further effective orientation is not wider than the
predetermined operating beamwidth of the phase-array directional
antenna.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein analyzing the quality of the
received RF signal comprises performing an error-checking to
examine data integrity of the received RF signal.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein analyzing the quality of the
received RF signal comprises measuring an amplitude of the received
RF signal, and selecting the effective orientation from the
plurality of effective orientations comprises selecting the
effective orientation associated with the largest amplitude of the
received RF signal and a satisfactory data integrity.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein steering the phase-array
directional antenna electronically comprises: applying weighting
factors to a plurality of antenna elements of the phase-array
directional antenna; and adjusting the values of the weighting
factors to steer the phase-array directional antenna electronically
to each effective orientation of the plurality of effective
orientations.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein steering the phase-array
directional antenna electronically comprises: controlling
transmission delays each associated with one antenna element of a
plurality of antenna elements of the phase-array directional
antenna; and adjusting the transmission delays to steer the
phase-array directional antenna electronically to each effective
orientation of the plurality of effective orientations.
18. An external system for communicating with an implantable
medical device via radio-frequency (RF) telemetry, the system
comprising: a phased-array antenna; means for electronically
steering the phased-array antenna to a plurality of effective
orientations; means for receiving an RF signal from the implantable
medical device using the phased-array antenna; means for analyzing
a quality of the RF signal associated with each effective
orientation of the plurality of effective orientations; and means
for selecting an effective orientation based on the quality of the
RF signal associated with the each effective orientation of the
plurality of effective orientations.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the phased-array antenna
comprises a plurality of antenna elements printed on a circuit
board.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of antenna
elements comprises planar antennas.
21. The system of claim 18, further comprising means for storing
information used to electronically steer the phased-array antenna
to the plurality of effective orientations.
Description
CROSS REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/309,337, filed on Dec. 3, 2002, the
specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This document relates generally to implantable medical
devices and particularly, but not by way of limitation, to such a
device including a telemetry system allowing communication with an
external device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Medical devices are implanted in human bodies for monitoring
physiological conditions, diagnosing diseases, treating diseases,
or restoring functions of organs or tissues. Examples of such
implantable medical devices include cardiac rhythm management
systems, neurological stimulators, neuromuscular stimulators, and
drug delivery systems. Because such a device may be implanted in a
patient for a long time, the size and power consumption of the
device are inherently constrained. Consequently, an implantable
device may depend on an external system to perform certain
functions. Communication between the implantable device and the
external system is referred to as telemetry. Examples of specific
telemetry functions include programming the implantable device to
perform certain monitoring or therapeutic tasks, extracting an
operational status of the implantable device, transmitting
real-time physiological data acquired by the implantable device,
and extracting physiological data acquired by and stored in the
implantable device.
[0004] One particular example of implantable medical devices is a
cardiac rhythm management device implanted in a patient to treat
irregular or other abnormal cardiac rhythms by delivering
electrical pulses to the patient's heart. Such rhythms result in
diminished blood circulation. Implantable cardiac rhythm management
devices include, among other things, pacemakers, also referred to
as pacers. Pacemakers are often used to treat patients with
bradyarrhythmias, that is, hearts that beat too slowly or
irregularly. Such pacemakers may coordinate atrial and ventricular
contractions to improve the heart's pumping efficiency. Implantable
cardiac management devices also include defibrillators that are
capable of delivering higher energy electrical stimuli to the
heart. Such defibrillators may also include cardioverters, which
synchronize the delivery of such stimuli to portions of sensed
intrinsic heart activity signals. Defibrillators are often used to
treat patients with tachyarrhythmias, that is, hearts that beat too
quickly. In addition to pacemakers and defibrillators, implantable
cardiac rhythm management systems also include, among other things,
pacer/defibrillators that combine the functions of pacemakers and
defibrillators, drug delivery devices, and any other implantable
systems or devices for diagnosing or treating cardiac
arrhythmias.
[0005] An implantable cardiac rhythm management device typically
communicates with an external device referred to as a programmer
via telemetry. One type of such telemetry is based on inductive
coupling between two closely-placed coils using the mutual
inductance between these coils. This type of telemetry is referred
to as inductive telemetry or near-field telemetry because the coils
must be closely situated for obtaining inductively coupled
communication. One example of such an inductive telemetry is
discussed in Brockway et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,841, entitled
"PROGRAMMABLE MULTI-MODE CARDIAC PACEMAKER," assigned to Cardiac
Pacemakers, Inc., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
[0006] In one example of inductive telemetry, an implantable device
includes a first coil and a telemetry circuit, both sealed in a
metal housing (referred to as a "can"). The external programmer
provides a second coil in a wand that is electrically connected to
the programmer. During device implantation, a physician evaluates
the patient's condition, such as by using the implanted device to
acquire real-time physiological data from the patient and
communicating the physiological data in real-time to the external
programmer for processing and/or display. The physician may also
program the implantable device, including selecting a pacing or
defibrillation therapy mode, and parameters required by that mode,
based on the patient's condition and needs. The data acquisition
and device programming are both performed using the inductive
telemetry. If the patient's condition is stable after implantation,
he or she needs no attention from the physician or other caregiver
until a scheduled routine follow-up. During a routine follow-up,
for example, the physician reviews the patient's history with the
implantable device, re-evaluates the patient's condition, and
re-programs the implantable device if necessary.
[0007] One problem with inductive telemetry is its requirement that
the two coils are closely placed. This typically requires placing
the wand on the body surface over the implantable device. Because
the wand is electrically connected to the programmer using a cable,
the inductive telemetry limits the patient's mobility.
[0008] To improve communication range and patient mobility, a
far-field radio-frequency (RF) telemetry may be used, in which an
RF transceiver in the implantable device is used to communicate
with an RF transceiver in the external programmer. With a far-field
RF telemetry, the patient is typically free of any body surface
attachment that limits mobility. However, the far-field RF
telemetry between the implantable device and the external
programmer may operate in an environment where one or more sources
of interferences exist. Such sources of interferences include, for
example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, cellular
phones, and other devices emitting electromagnetic waves. Such
sources of interferences may also include another pair of
implantable cardiac rhythm management device and external
programmer communicating via far-field RF telemetry operating at
the same or similar frequencies.
[0009] For these and other reasons, there is a need for ensuring
the quality of far-field RF telemetry between an external system
and an implanted device when interference is present.
SUMMARY
[0010] An implantable medical device system includes an implanted
device communicating with an external device via telemetry. The
implanted device and the external device each have a telemetry
module connected to an antenna system to support an RF telemetry
link. The antenna system of the external device has a manually or
automatically controllable directionality. The controllable
directionality is achieved, for example, by using two or more
directional antennas, one non-directional antenna and one or more
directional antennas, or an electronically steerable phased-array
directional antenna.
[0011] In one embodiment, a system for communicating with an
implantable medical device includes an external device that is
coupled to the implantable medical device via RF telemetry. The
external device includes a transceiver, an antenna system, an
antenna interface circuit, and a directionality controller. The
antenna system includes at least two antennas each having a
predetermined directionality characteristic. The antenna interface
circuit electrically connects the transceiver and the antenna
system. The directionality controller connects to the antenna
interface circuit and controls a directionality of the antenna
system.
[0012] In one embodiment, one or more RF signals are received from
an implantable medical device using one or more antennas of an
antenna system, where the one or more antennas each have a
predetermined directionality characteristic. A quality of each of
the one or more RF signals is analyzed. A directionality of the
antenna system is controlled based on an outcome of the RF signal
quality analysis.
[0013] This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the
present application and not intended to be an exclusive or
exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details
about the present subject matter are found in the detailed
description and appended claims. Other aspects of the invention
will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading and
understanding the following detailed description and viewing the
drawings that form a part thereof, each of which are not to be
taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is
defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
like numerals describe similar components throughout the several
views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes represent
different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate
generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various
embodiments discussed in the present document.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of
portions of an implantable medical device system and portions of an
environment in which it is used.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of portions of the implantable medical device system
with radio-frequency telemetry.
[0017] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a radiation pattern of a
non-directional antenna.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a radiation pattern of a
directional antenna.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a structural diagram illustrating one embodiment
of an external device having multiple directional antennas.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a circuit corresponding to the embodiment of FIG.
5.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a
method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a structural diagram illustrating one embodiment
of an external device having one non-directional antenna and
multiple directional antennas.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a circuit corresponding to the embodiment of FIG.
8.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a
method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a structural diagram illustrating one embodiment
of an external device having one non-directional antenna and one
directional antenna.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a circuit corresponding to the embodiment of FIG.
11.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a
method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 11.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a structural diagram illustrating one embodiment
of an external device having a phased-array directional
antenna.
[0029] FIG. 15 is an illustration of radiation patterns of a
four-element phased array directional antenna and a two-element
phased array directional antenna.
[0030] FIG. 16 is an illustration of radiation patterns of a
two-element phased array directional antenna when driven out of
phase.
[0031] FIG. 17 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a circuit corresponding to the embodiment of FIG.
14.
[0032] FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a
method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 14.
[0033] FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of
the method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, and it is to be understood that the embodiments may
be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that
structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
[0035] This document discusses, among other things, antennas and
antenna systems for a medical device that communicates with an
implantable medical device via telemetry. The present methods and
apparatuses will be described in applications involving implantable
cardiac rhythm management systems such as systems including
pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices,
cardioverter/defibrillators, and pacer/defibrillators. However, it
is to be understood that the present methods and apparatuses may be
employed in other types of implantable medical devices, including,
but not being limited to, neurological stimulators, neuromuscular
stimulators, drug delivery systems, and various types of
physiological signal monitoring devices.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of
portions of an implantable medical device system 100 and portions
of an environment in which it is used. In one embodiment, system
100 is a cardiac rhythm management system including, among other
things, an implanted device 110 and an external device 120.
Implanted device 110 is implanted within a patient's body 101 and
coupled to the patient's heart 102 by a lead system 105. Examples
of implanted device 110 include pacemakers, CRT devices,
cardioverter/defibrillators, pacemaker/defibrillators, and drug
delivery devices. External device 120 provides a user interface for
system 100. The user interface allows a physician or other
caregiver to interact with implanted device 110 through a wireless
telemetry link. In this embodiment, the wireless telemetry link is
a radio-frequency (RF) telemetry link 190 supported by RF
transceivers residing in implanted device 110 and external device
120. RF telemetry link 190 provides for bi-directional data
communication between implanted device 110 and external device
120.
[0037] In one embodiment, RF telemetry link 190 provides for data
transmission from implanted device 110 to external device 120. This
may include, for example, transmitting real-time physiological data
acquired by implanted device 110, extracting physiological data
acquired by and stored in implanted device 110, extracting therapy
history data stored in implanted device 110, and extracting data
indicating an operational status of implanted device 110 (e.g.,
battery status and lead impedance). In a further embodiment, RF
telemetry link 190 provides for data transmission from external
device 120 to implanted device 110. This may include, for example,
programming implanted device 110 to acquire physiological data,
programming implanted device 110 to perform at least one
self-diagnostic test (such as for a device operational status), and
programming implanted device 110 to deliver at least one
therapy.
[0038] In one embodiment, RF telemetry link 190 is a far-field
telemetry link. A far-field, also referred to as the Fraunhofer
zone, refers to the zone in which a component of an electromagnetic
field produced by the transmitting electromagnetic radiation source
decays substantially proportionally to 1/r, where r is the distance
between an observation point and the radiation source. Accordingly,
far-field refers to the zone outside the boundary of
r=.lamda./2.pi., where .lamda. is the wavelength of the transmitted
electromagnetic energy. In one embodiment, a communication range of
RF telemetry link 190 (a distance over which data is capable of
being wirelessly communicated) is at least ten feet but can be as
long as allowed by the communication technology utilized. Unlike an
inductive telemetry link using a wand placed near implanted device
110, typically attached to the patient, and electrically connected
to external device 120 with a cable, using RF telemetry link 190
frees the patient from any physical restraints caused by the wand
and the cable. On the other hand, while a relatively short
communication range associated with the inductive telemetry
provides for a relatively good immunity to environmental
interferences, the relatively long communication range associated
with the RF telemetry raises a concern that external device 120 may
be sensitive to interferences such as electromagnetic waves
radiated from other medical devices, such as MRI machines, and/or
personal items such as cellular phones. In addition, several
patients carrying the same of similar types of implantable devices
may be examined, in the same area or even the same room in a
cardiovascular clinic, using the same of similar types of external
programmers. Under such circumstances, multiple RF telemetry links
may operate within the communication ranges of each other and
therefore interfere with the operations of each other. To allow RF
telemetry link 190 to operate within such environments, one
approach is to control its directionality.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of portions of system 100. In this embodiment, implanted
device 110 includes an implanted telemetry module 112 and an
implanted antenna system 114. External device 120 includes an
external telemetry module 122 and an external antenna system 124.
Implanted telemetry module 112 and external telemetry module 122
respectively refer to portions of implanted device 110 and external
device 120 that communicate with each other via RF telemetry link
190. In one embodiment, implanted telemetry module 112 and external
telemetry module 122 each include a transceiver. In one embodiment,
implanted antenna system 114 and external antenna system 124 each
include a single antenna. In an alternative embodiment, implanted
antenna system 114 and external antenna system 124 each include two
or more antennas. In another alternative embodiment, implanted
antenna system 114 includes a single antenna, and external antenna
system 124 comprises two or more antennas.
[0040] In one embodiment, implanted telemetry module 112 includes
an RF test signal generator to generate an RF test signal and send
it to external device 120 via RF telemetry link 190. The RF test
signal is used in processes of antenna selection or orientation
that are discussed below. In one embodiment, the RF signal is
modulated with a predetermined binary code to allow for analysis of
data integrity by external telemetry module 122. In one embodiment,
the RF signal has a duration of about 50-100 ms. In one embodiment,
implanted device 110 has an operation mode being a telemetry
testing mode during which the RF test signal is sent to external
device 120. In a further embodiment, external device 120 sends a
command to implanted device 110 to cause it to operate in the
telemetry testing mode. In one embodiment, if external device 120
sends the command during an ongoing telemetry session, the
telemetry session is interrupted during the telemetry testing mode
and resumed automatically upon completion of the telemetry testing
mode operation.
[0041] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a radiation pattern of a
non-directional antenna. A non-directional antenna, also referred
to as an omnidirectional antenna, is an antenna that transmits
electromagnetic waves with equal energy to all directions and/or
receives electromagnetic waves equally well from all directions, at
least on one plane. A radiation pattern 321 illustrates a
directionality characteristic of a non-directional antenna having
an approximately uniform gain in all directions in one plane
(non-directional plane). In this document, a non-directional
antenna refers to an antenna having a predetermined directionality
characteristic shown by a radiation pattern with less than 6 dB of
signal strength difference between any two directions in the
non-directional plane. In one embodiment, the non-directional
antenna is a single dipole antenna. In a further embodiment, the
dipole antenna is a single planar dipole antenna and can be printed
on a printed circuit board. Radiation pattern 321 illustrates the
directionality of the single planar dipole antenna in the plane
perpendicular to the planar sides of the antenna. In another
embodiment, the non-directional antenna is a loop antenna. In a
further embodiment, the loop antenna is formed with a wire or
printed on a printed circuit board. Radiation pattern 321
illustrates the directionality of the loop antenna on the plane of
the loop. In yet another embodiment, the non-directional antenna is
a single monopole antenna. In a further embodiment, the monopole
antenna is a single planar monopole antenna and can be printed on a
printed circuit board. Radiation pattern 321 illustrates the
directionality of the single planar monopole antenna in the plane
perpendicular to the planar sides of the antenna.
[0042] A non-directional antenna is suitable for use in an
environment where no significant interference exists and only a
single RF telemetry link is active. No antenna orientation is
needed. However, an RF telemetry link may be required to operate in
a busy clinical environment where multiple physicians and/or other
caregivers evaluate multiple patients simultaneously. This may
require several RF telemetry links to operate in the same area or
even in the same room. If the several RF telemetry links operate in
substantially the same or similar frequency bands, each RF
telemetry link using non-directional antenna may interfere with
other RF telemetry links. Moreover, electromagnetic energy radiated
from sources such as other electronic medical equipment in all
directions in the clinical environment may be received by a
non-directional antenna as a noise interfering with the RF
telemetry supported partially by the non-directional antenna.
[0043] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a radiation pattern of a
directional antenna. Using a directional antenna provides, among
other things, a solution to the problems associated using a
non-directional antenna as described above. A directional antenna
is an antenna that transmits electromagnetic waves with more energy
in one direction than in another direction and/or receives
electromagnetic waves more readily from one direction than from
another direction in a plane (directional place). In this document,
a directional antenna refers to an antenna having a predetermined
directionality characteristic shown by a radiation pattern with at
least 6 dB of signal strength difference between at least two
directions in the directional plane. The directionality (or
directionality characteristic) of a directional antenna is measured
or defined by beamwidth, which is the angle of the directional
antenna's signal coverage, i.e., the angle within which the
directional antenna transmits and receive signals. In one
embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a radiation pattern 421 shows
a directionality characteristic of a directional antenna having a
half-power beamwidth of about 80 degrees in one plane and a highest
gain in one direction referred to as the forward direction of the
directional antenna. To achieve more directionality, the gain
within the half-power beamwidth can be increased by decreasing the
beamwidth. In one embodiment, the directional antenna is a planar
patch antenna. In a further embodiment, the planar patch antenna is
printed on a printed circuit board. Radiation pattern 421
illustrates the directionality of the planar patch antenna in the
plane perpendicular to the planar sides of the antenna. In another
embodiment, the directional antenna is a slot antenna being a
planar conductive patch with a nonconductive hole or rectangular
slot. The slot antenna has directionality characteristics similar
to those of the patch antenna, as illustrated by radiation pattern
421. Other examples of the directional antenna include, but are not
limited to, parabolic reflector (dish) antenna, Uda-Yagi antenna,
and helical antenna. In one embodiment, the beamwidth of the
directional antenna is chosen based on a compromise among competing
design considerations including relative immunity to interferences,
ease of aiming, and complexity and cost of circuitry. Narrower
beamwidths provide better immunity to interferences. On the other
hand, large beamwidths provide ease of aiming or, alternatively,
require few patch antennas to cover all directions.
[0044] With a limited beamwidth, a directional antenna is less
likely to act as a source of interference to RF telemetry links
associated with other antennas. This allows multiple RF telemetry
links to be established for concurrent communications between
multiple pairs of external devices and implanted devices, even
within a small area. The directional antenna may also allow a user
to locate a source of interference to avoid it. In one embodiment,
the user sweeps the directional antenna over all directions to
identify sources of interference.
[0045] Using the same level of electrical power, a directional
antenna achieves higher gain in its forward direction as compared
to the uniform gain of a non-directional antenna. This allows a
longer communication range allowing external device 120 to
communicate with implanted device 110 over a greater distance, as
compared with the non-directional antenna, unless it also results
in a radiation energy level that exceeds a limitation imposed by
pertinent government regulations or other safety standards. A
directional antenna generally has a higher signal-to-noise ration
(S/N) as compared to a non-directional antenna because of the
higher gain applied to a signal and lower gains applied to noises
coming from directions outside the directional antenna's
beamwidth.
[0046] The directionality of RF telemetry link 190 is controllable
by controlling a directionality of implanted antenna system 114
and/or a directionality of external antenna system 124. In one
embodiment, the directionality of RF telemetry link 190 is
controllable by controlling the directionality of external antenna
system 124. Implanted device 110 and external device 120 send
signals to each other. A noise radiated from a source of
interference is received by both implanted device 110 and external
device 120. Because body tissue absorbs RF electromagnetic energy,
implanted antenna system 114 receives the signals and the noise
that are both attenuated by body tissue surrounding implanted
device 110. On the other hand, while external antenna system 124
receives signals that are attenuated when being transmitted from
implanted device 110 through the surrounding body tissue, the noise
radiated from the source of interference is not attenuated by body
tissue. Thus, an S/N associated with external antenna system 124 is
more degraded by the presence of noise from the source of
interference than an S/N associated with implanted antenna system
114. Furthermore, the complexity of implanted device 110 is limited
by size and power consumption restraints for an implant. Because
many more units of implanted device 110 are produced than units of
external device 120, a cost increase associated with implanted
device 110 is more of a concern than a cost increase associated
with external devices 120. For at least these reasons, controlling
the directionality of external antenna system 124 is a more
efficient approach as compared to controlling the directionality of
implanted antenna system 114 or both antenna systems.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a structural diagram illustrating one embodiment
of an external device having multiple directional antennas. In one
embodiment, external device 120 is a computer-based device that
controls operation of implanted device 110 and receives data
indicative of a patient's physiological and/or pathological
conditions, and/or an operational status of implanted device 110,
from implanted device 110 through RF telemetry link 190 during an
RF telemetry session. In one embodiment, external device 120 is
constructed on a notebook computer. In one embodiment, external
device 120 is a medical device programmer operated by a user, such
as a physician or other caregiver, to communicate with implanted
device 110 via RF telemetry link 190. In another embodiment,
external device 120 is a monitor communicating with implanted
device 110. In one embodiment, the monitor stores the received data
for review by the user at a later time. In an alternative
embodiment, the monitor relays the received data to a device in a
remote location for review by the user. In one embodiment, external
device 120 includes a display screen 530, which constitutes a
portion of a user interface allowing the user to observe conditions
of the patient and to monitor and control the operation of
implanted device 110. During a telemetry operation, display screen
530 is set to be about perpendicular to the base of the external
device, and hence perpendicular to a floor during the RF telemetry
session.
[0048] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, antenna system 124 of external
device 120 has, by way of example, but not by way of limitation,
two directional antennas 541A and 541B, each having a half-power
beamwidth of less than or equal to about 180 degrees. In one
embodiment, directional antennas 541A and 541B are planar patches.
In one embodiment, the planar patches each have a square shape. In
an alternative embodiment, the planar patches each have a
trapezoidal shape. In one embodiment, the planar patches each have
sides that are two to three centimeters long. In another
embodiment, directional antennas 541A and 541B are slot antennas
each including a planar conductive patch with a nonconductive hole
or rectangular slot in it. In one embodiment, directional antenna
541A and 541B are printed on a printed circuit board 525 located
behind, and parallel to, display screen 530. Display screen 530 is
about perpendicular to the base of the external device, and hence,
about perpendicular to the floor during the RF telemetry session.
Other examples of directional antennas 541A and 541B include, but
are not limited to, parabolic reflector (dish) antenna, Uda-Yagi
antenna, and helical antenna. Directional antenna 541A transmits
signals to, and receives signals from, substantially all directions
behind display screen 530, and directional antenna 541B transmits
signals to, and receives signals from, substantially all directions
in front of display screen 530. In an alternative embodiment,
antenna system 124 has more than two directional antennas for a
finer directionality control. In one embodiment, antenna system 124
has three directional antennas each having a half-power beamwidth
of about 120 degrees.
[0049] In one embodiment, the user selects one of directional
antennas 541A and 541B for an RF telemetry session. For example,
when directional antenna 541A covers substantially all directions
behind display screen 530 and directional antenna 541B covers
substantially all directions in front of display screen 530, the
user selects directional antenna 541A if the patient is behind the
screen, or directional antenna 541B if the patient is in front of
the screen. In another embodiment, the user observes the quality of
communication, such as indicated by signals received by each of
directional antennas 541A and 541B and displayed on display screen
530, to determine which antenna to select. In another embodiment,
one of directional antennas 541A and 541B is automatically
selected, as discussed below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0050] In an alternative embodiment, antenna system 124 has a
single directional antenna. While using a single directional
antenna provides the simplest and least expensive telemetry module
122 having a directional antenna system, the user would have to
align external device 120 with implanted device 110. This may
require several position adjustments for external device 120 before
RF telemetry link 190 is established.
[0051] FIG. 6 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a circuit corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 5.
The circuit constitutes portions of external telemetry module 122
and an antenna system 124. External telemetry module 122 includes a
transceiver 660, a controller 670, and a switching circuit 650.
Transceiver 660 further includes a transmitter 663, a receiver 664,
and a transmit-receive switch 662. Transmitter 663 receives data
from another portion of external device 120 in a form of a bit
stream, modulates an RF carrier signal with the data, and transmits
the modulated RF signal to implanted device 110 through antenna
system 124. Receiver 664 receives modulated RF signals through
antenna system 124, demodulates the modulated RF signal to recover
data transmitted from implanted device 110, and sends the recovered
data in a format of a bit stream to another portion of external
device 120. Transmit-receive switch 662 controls a connection
between antenna system 124 and one of transmitter 663 and receiver
664. Transceiver 660 allows for one of transmission and receiving
at any instant.
[0052] Controller 670 controls whether transceiver 660 transmits or
receives RF signals. In the embodiment in which one of directional
antennas 541A and 541B is automatically selected, controller 679
also includes a signal analyzer 672 and an antenna selector 674.
The signal analyzer analyzes signal quality of the RF signals
received through each of directional antennas 541A and 541B. In one
embodiment, signal analyzer 672 measures the strength (amplitude)
of each of the RF signals received through each of directional
antennas 541A and 541B. In a further embodiment, signal analyzer
672 examines integrity of the data recovered by transceiver 660 and
generates a data integrity indicator. Antenna selector 674 is a
directionality controller of antenna system 124. It controls the
directionality of antenna system 124 by selecting one or more of
its antennas having different orientation and/or directionality
characteristics. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, antenna selector 674
generates an antenna selection control signal based on comparing
the outcome of analyzing the signal quality of RF signals received
by each of directional antennas 541A and 541B. Switching circuit
650, in response to the antenna selection control signal, makes an
electrical connection between transceiver 660 and one of
directional antennas 541A and 541B. In one embodiment, switching
circuit 650 is a multiplexer.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a
method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 5. At 700, external
telemetry module 122 receives an RF signal through directional
antenna 541A. The RF signal is modulated with binary data and
transmitted from implanted device 110. In one embodiment, external
telemetry module 122 receives the RF signal after it sends out a
command causing implanted device 110 to operate in the telemetry
testing mode. In this mode, the RF signal is a portion of the RF
test signal generated by the RF test signal generator of implanted
telemetry module 112. At 710, external telemetry module 122
receives a further RF signal through directional antenna 541B. The
further RF signal is substantially similar to the RF signal
received at 700 in that both RF signals are generated from the same
implanted device 110 at substantially the same distance and
modulated with data in substantially the same format. In one mode,
the RF signal is a further portion of the RF test signal generated
by the RF test signal generator of implanted telemetry module 112.
In one embodiment, At 720, signal analyzer 672 analyzes signal
quality of both the RF signals received at 700 and 710. In one
embodiment, signal analyzer 672 examines data integrity of each of
the received RF signals by performing error-checking in accordance
with a predetermined protocol. In an additional embodiment, signal
analyzer 672 measures the amplitude of each of the received RF
signals. At 730, antenna selector 674 selects one of directional
antennas 541A and 541B based on an outcome of 720. In one
embodiment, antenna selector 674 selects one of directional
antennas 541A and 541B that provides a satisfactory data integrity
according to a predetermined data integrity standard. In an
additional embodiment, when directional antennas 541A and 541B both
provide a satisfactory data integrity, antenna selector 674 selects
one of directional antennas 541A and 541B providing a higher
received RF signal strength. Once an antenna is selected, antenna
selector 674 sends the antenna selection control signal to
switching circuit 650 to electrically connect one of directional
antennas 541A and 541B to transceiver 660, thereby establishing RF
telemetry link 190. At 740, if an RF session has not already been
started, controller 670 issues a signal to start an RF telemetry
session between external device 120 and implanted device 110. If
the RF session has been started, it is continued with the
directional antenna just selected at 730. In one embodiment, the RF
telemetry session is started during an operation for implanting
implanted device 110 into body 101. The RF telemetry session allows
external device 120 to monitor a patient's physiological conditions
and/or an operational status of implanted device 110 and set
parameters for a desired performance of implanted device 110. In an
alternative embodiment, the RF telemetry session is started during
a postoperative patient examination. The RF telemetry session
allows external device 120 to monitor the patient's physiological
conditions and/or the operational status of implanted device 110
and, if necessary, adjust parameters for the desired performance of
implanted device 110.
[0054] In one embodiment, after the RF telemetry session is started
at 740, controller 670 starts to repeat steps 700-740, at 750, on a
predetermined periodic basis during the RF telemetry session. In
another embodiment, after the RF telemetry session is started at
740, signal analyzer 672 monitors the quality of the RF signal on a
continuous or periodic basis. At 750, controller 670 starts to
repeat steps 700-740 whenever signal analyzer 672 determines that
the quality of the RF signal is no longer satisfactory during the
RF telemetry session. In one embodiment, steps 700-740 are repeated
while the RF telemetry operation is ongoing without significant
interruptions to the RF telemetry session. In one embodiment,
external device 120 sends a command to implanted device 110 to
start to repeat steps 700-740 by causing implanted device to
operate in the telemetry testing mode. In this embodiment, the RF
telemetry operation is interrupted at least for the period during
which implanted device 110 operates in the telemetry testing mode.
At the end of each repetition of steps 700-740, if a different
directional antenna is selected, the telemetry session continues
with the different directional antenna. This ensures that RF
telemetry link 190 remains functional throughout the RF telemetry
session, even when, for example, implanted device 110 changes
position because the patient carrying it moves. The RF telemetry
session concludes when all the data transmissions for the session
are completed or stopped by an unintended interruption.
[0055] FIG. 8 is a structural diagram illustrating one embodiment
of an external device having one non-directional antenna and a
plurality of directional antennas. External device 120 includes
substantially the same structural components, arranged in
substantially the same way, as in the embodiment of FIG. 5. In
addition, antenna system 124 has a non-directional antenna 842. In
one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, antenna system 124 has
directional antennas 541A and 541B and non-directional antenna 842.
In one embodiment, non-directional antenna 842 is a single planar
dipole antenna. In another embodiment, non-directional antenna 842
is a single planar monopole antenna. In one embodiment, directional
antennas 541A and 541B and non-directional antenna 842 are all
printed on printed circuit board 525. Size of the dipole or
monopole depends on the permittivity of printed circuit board 525.
In one embodiment, the printed dipole or monopole is about four to
eight centimeters in length. When display screen 530 is positioned
about perpendicular to the floor, non-directional antenna 842 is
substantially non-directional on a plane parallel to the floor. In
another embodiment, non-directional antenna is a loop antenna. In
one embodiment, the loop antenna is formed with wire and placed
within external device 120, with the plane of the loop being
parallel to the base of external device 120. In another embodiment,
the loop antenna is printed on a printed circuit board within
external device 120 and parallel to the base of external device
120. In one embodiment, non-directional antenna 842 is
non-directional on a plane parallel to a floor on which clinical
facilities are established for the user to see patients and perform
medical examinations. Directional antennas 541A and 541B are each
directional on the same plane on which non-directional antenna 842
is non-directional.
[0056] FIG. 9 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a circuit corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 8.
The circuit has substantially the same functional blocks as in the
embodiment of FIG. 6. In addition, antenna system 124 has
non-directional antenna 842. Each functional block in FIG. 9 has
substantially the same type of circuitry as its corresponding
functional block in FIG. 6, but modified to accommodate the
additional antenna.
[0057] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a
method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 8. At 1000, external
telemetry module 122 receives an RF signal through non-directional
antenna 842. The RF signal is modulated with binary data and
transmitted from implanted device 110. In one embodiment, external
telemetry module 122 receives the RF signal after it sends out a
command causing implanted device 110 to operate in the telemetry
testing mode. In this mode, the RF signal is a portion of the RF
test signal generated by the RF test signal generator of implanted
telemetry module 112. At 1010, signal analyzer 672 analyzes quality
of the RF signal received at 1000. In one embodiment, signal
analyzer 672 examines data integrity of the received RF signal by
performing error-checking in accordance with a predetermined
protocol. If the quality of the RF signal is found satisfactory
under the predetermined protocol at 1020, controller 670 issues a
signal to start an RF telemetry session between external device 120
and implanted device 110 using non-directional antenna 842. If the
quality of the RF signal is found unsatisfactory at 1020,
controller 670 issues a signal to switch to a directional antenna
to receive further RF signals.
[0058] At 1030, external telemetry module 122 receives a further RF
signal through directional antenna 541A. The further RF signal is
substantially similar to the RF signal received at 1000 in that
both RF signals are generated from the same implanted device 110 at
substantially the same distance and modulated with data in
substantially the same format. In one mode, the RF signal is a
further portion of the RF test signal generated by the RF test
signal generator of implanted telemetry module 112. At 1040,
external telemetry module 122 receives a still further RF signal
through directional antenna 541B. The still further RF signal is
also substantially similar to the RF signal received at 1000. In
one mode, the RF signal is a still further portion of the RF test
signal generated by the RF test signal generator of implanted
telemetry module 112. At 1050, signal analyzer 672 analyzes signal
quality of both the further and still further RF signals received
at 1030 and 1040. In one embodiment, signal analyzer 672 examines
data integrity of each of the received RF signals by performing
error-checking in accordance with the predetermined protocol. In an
additional embodiment, signal analyzer 672 measures the amplitude
of each of the received RF signals. At 1060, antenna selector 674
selects one of directional antennas 541A and 541B based on an
outcome of analyzing the signal quality of the RF signal at 1050.
In one embodiment, antenna selector 674 selects one of directional
antennas 541A and 541B that provides a satisfactory data integrity
according to the predetermined standard. In an additional
embodiment, when directional antennas 541A and 541B each provide a
satisfactory data integrity, antenna selector 674 selects one of
directional antennas 541A and 541B providing a higher received RF
signal strength. Once a directional antenna is selected, antenna
selector 674 sends the antenna selection control signal to
switching circuit 650 to electrically connect one of the
directional antennas 541A and 541B to transceiver 660, thereby
establishing RF telemetry link 190. At 1070, if an RF telemetry
session has not been started, controller 670 issues a signal to
start an RF telemetry session between external device 120 and
implanted device 110. If the RF session has been started, it is
continued with the antenna just selected at 1020 or 1060.
[0059] In one embodiment, after the RF telemetry session is started
at 1070, controller 670 starts to repeat steps 1000-1070, at 1080,
on a predetermined periodic basis during the RF telemetry session.
In another embodiment, after the RF telemetry session is started at
1070, signal analyzer 672 monitors the quality of the RF signal on
a continuous or periodic basis. At 1080, controller 670 starts to
repeat steps 1000-1070 whenever signal analyzer 672 determines that
the quality of the RF signal is no longer satisfactory during the
RF telemetry session. In one embodiment, steps 1000-1070 are
repeated while the RF telemetry operation is ongoing without
significant interruptions to the RF telemetry session. In one
embodiment, external device 120 sends a command to implanted device
110 to start to repeat steps 1000-1070 by causing implanted device
to operate in the telemetry testing mode. In this embodiment, the
RF telemetry operation is interrupted at least for the period
during which implanted device 110 operates in the telemetry testing
mode. At the end of each repetition of steps 1000-1070, if a
different directional antenna is selected, the telemetry session
continues with the different directional antenna. This ensures that
RF telemetry link 190 remains functional throughout the RF
telemetry session, even when, for example, implanted device 110
changes position because the patient carrying it moves. The RF
telemetry session concludes when all the data transmissions for the
session are completed or stopped by an unintended interruption.
[0060] FIG. 11 is a structural diagram illustrating one embodiment
of an external device having one non-directional antenna and one
directional antenna. External device 120 has substantially the same
structural components as in the embodiment of FIG. 5 except that
antenna system 124 has non-directional antenna 842 and a
directional antenna 1143. In one embodiment, directional antenna
1143 is a hand-held device connected to external device 120 using a
cable. In one embodiment, directional antenna 1143 is a parabolic
reflector (dish) antenna. In another embodiment, directional
antenna 1143 is a planar patch antenna discussed above with
reference to FIG. 4. In yet another embodiment, directional antenna
1143 is a slot antenna discussed above with reference to FIG. 4. A
user controls the forward direction of directional antenna 1143 by
manually aiming directional antenna 1143 to implanted device 110.
In one embodiment, the user may place directional antenna 1143 on
the patient over implanted device 110. In one further embodiment,
directional antenna 1143 is a detachable antenna connected to
external device 120 using a cable with a detachable connector.
Non-directional antenna 842 is used when directional antenna 1143
is not connected to external device 120. Whenever directional
antenna 1143 is connected to external device 120, non-directional
antenna 842 is not used. Embodiments using hand-held directional
antenna 1143 are suitable, and may be necessary, when RF telemetry
link 190 is to be established in a noisy environment where the
embodiments described above do not allow the user to establish an
RF telemetry link successfully or easily. For example, a
postoperative examination of a patient carrying implanted device
110 may occur in a busy clinic where multiple patients wearing
similar implantable devices are examined simultaneously in the same
room. The busy clinic may also include electronic devices radiating
electromagnetic energy, such as MRI machines and cellular phones.
This necessitates a high directionality for antenna system 124 that
would require a complicated and expensive circuit having a large
number of antennas each having a very narrow beamwidth. Under such
circumstances, hand-held directional antenna 1143 provides an
inexpensive solution. When hand-held directional antenna 1143 is
placed on the patient over implanted device 110, or otherwise
placed near implanted device 110, RF telemetry link 190 has a high
S/N because of the high signal strength associated with the short
transmission distance, as compared to the S/N associated with
non-directional antenna 842. Thus, hand-held directional antenna
1143 need not have a very narrow beamwidth. In this embodiment,
non-directional antenna 842 eliminates the need of manual aiming
when the environment does not necessitate the use of a directional
antenna.
[0061] FIG. 12 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a circuit corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 11.
The circuit has substantially the same functional blocks as in the
embodiment of FIG. 6, except that antenna system 124 has
non-directional antenna 842 and hand-held directional antenna
1143.
[0062] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a
method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 11. At 1300,
external telemetry module 122 receives an RF signal through
non-directional antenna 842. The RF signal is modulated with binary
data and transmitted from implanted device 110. In one embodiment,
external telemetry module 122 receives the RF signal after it sends
out a command causing implanted device 110 to operate in the
telemetry testing mode. In this mode, the RF signal is the RF test
signal generated by the RF test signal generator of implanted
telemetry module 112. At 1310, signal analyzer 672 analyzes signal
quality of the RF signal received at 1300. In one embodiment,
signal analyzer 672 examines data integrity of the received RF
signal by performing error-checking in accordance with a
predetermined protocol. If the quality of the RF signal is found
satisfactory under the predetermined protocol at 1320, controller
670 issues a signal at 1370 to start an RF telemetry session
between external device 120 and implanted device 110. If the
quality of the RF signal is found unsatisfactory at 1320, further
RF signals will be received through directional antenna 1143.
[0063] At 1330, external telemetry module 122 receives a further RF
signal through directional antenna 1143. The further RF signal is
substantially similar to the RF signal received at 1300 in that
both RF signals are generated from the same implanted device and
modulated with data in substantially the same format. In one
embodiment, where directional antenna 1143 is a detachable antenna,
directional antenna 1143 is connected to external device 120 before
external telemetry module 122 receives the further RF signal at
1330. At 1340, signal analyzer 672 analyzes signal quality of the
further RF signal received at 1330. In one embodiment, signal
analyzer 672 examines data integrity of the further RF signal by
performing error-checking in accordance with a predetermined
protocol. If the quality of the RF signal is found satisfactory
under the predetermined protocol at 1350, controller 670 issues a
signal at 1370 to start an RF telemetry session between external
device 120 and implanted device 110. If the quality of the RF
signal is found unsatisfactory at 1350, the user adjusts the
orientation of directional antenna 1143 by re-aiming it to
implanted device 110. Steps 1330-1360 are repeated until the
quality of the RF signal is found satisfactory at 1350. At 1370,
controller 670 issues a signal to start an RF telemetry session
between external device 120 and implanted device 110.
[0064] In an alternative embodiment, where directional antenna 1143
is a detachable antenna, the user starts to use directional antenna
1143 by connecting it to external device 120 at any time. In one
embodiment, the user starts to use directional antenna 1143 upon
his judgment on the presence and magnitude of the interference. In
one specific embodiment, the user makes the judgment based on
observations of cardiac signals displayed by external device 120.
In another embodiment, the user starts to use directional antenna
1143 when external device 120 indicates an unacceptable amount or
rate of data transmission errors. In one specific embodiment,
implanted device 110 and external device 120 each include
error-checking modules to ensure the integrity of data transmitted
in both directions via RF telemetry link 190. When the number
and/or frequency of errors detected exceed a predetermined
threshold, external device 120 provides a signal to the user to
replace non-directional antenna 842 with directional antenna 1143
if non-directional antenna 842 is being used, or to reposition
directional antenna 1143 if it is being used.
[0065] FIG. 14 is a structural diagram illustrating one embodiment
of an external device having a phased-array directional antenna.
External device 120 has substantially the same structural
components, arranged in substantially the same way, as in the
embodiment of FIG. 5, except that antenna system 124 has a
directional antenna 1444, which is the phased-array directional
antenna. Directional antenna 1444 includes two or more antennas
acting its antenna elements. In one embodiment, the antenna
elements are each a planar dipole antenna. In one further
embodiment, directional antenna 1444 is printed on printed circuit
board 525. Size of each of the dipole antennas depends on the
permittivity of printed circuit board 525. In one embodiment, each
of the dipole antennas is about four to eight centimeters in
length. An effective forward direction, or effective orientation of
directional antenna 1444 and also antenna system 124, is controlled
by electronically driving the antenna elements out of phase. In one
embodiment, the antenna elements are driven out of phase by
introducing a weighting factor into an RF signal transmitted or
received through each of the antenna elements. Each weight factor
is a vector including an amplitude and a phase angle. The weighting
factors are multiplied with the RF signals to modify a phase angle
of each RF signal. The effective orientation of antenna 1444 is
steered by controlling one or more phase angles of the RF signals
transmitted or received through the antenna elements. In an
alternative embodiment, the antenna elements are driven out of
phase by introducing different transmission delays to the antenna
elements. Because RF signals transmitted or received through the
plurality of antenna elements each has a phase angle depending on
the conduction delay, the effective orientation of antenna 1444 can
be steered by adjusting the transmission delays. In one embodiment,
the plurality of antenna elements are each connected to a delay
line. In one embodiment, each delay line is a conductive path being
a wire or a metal path on printed circuit board 525. The
transmission delay of each delay line is proportional to its
length. Thus, the effective orientation of antenna 1444 can be
steered by adjusting how the delay lines and the antenna elements
are paired.
[0066] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 14, directional
antenna 1444 has, by way of example, but not by way of limitation,
four antenna elements 1444A-D. In an alternative embodiment,
directional antenna 1444 has two antenna elements. In another
alternative embodiment, directional antenna 1444 has more than four
antenna elements. The number of antenna elements included in
directional antenna 1444 is chosen based on a compromise among
factors including cost, circuit complexity, and desirable degree of
directionality.
[0067] FIG. 15 is an illustration of radiation patterns of a
four-element phased array directional antenna and a two-element
phased array directional antenna. A radiation pattern 1581
illustrates an example of a directionality characteristic of
directional antenna 1444, when antenna elements 1444A-D are not
driven out of phase, in a plane perpendicular to circuit board 525
and hence about parallel to the floor. In one embodiment, radiation
pattern 1581 is obtained by applying equal weighting factors to all
of antenna elements 1444A-D. In an alternative embodiment,
radiation pattern 1581 is obtained by introducing the same
transmission delay to each of antenna elements 1444A-D.
[0068] A directional antenna 1544 is substantially the same as
directional antenna 1444 except that antenna 1544 has two, instead
of four, antenna elements 1544A and 1544B. A radiation pattern 1582
illustrates an example of a directional characteristic of
directional antenna 1544, when antenna elements 1544A and 1544B are
not driven out of phase, in the plane perpendicular to circuit
board 525, and hence about parallel to the floor during an RF
telemetry session. As illustrated by radiation patterns 1581 and
1582, having more antenna elements provides for a narrower
beamwidth centered at each effective orientation, thereby enhancing
the advantage of the directional antenna in reducing chance of
interference and increasing the communication range in the
direction aligned with the effective orientation of the directional
antenna. On the other hand, fewer antenna elements require a
simpler electronic steering system.
[0069] FIG. 16 is an illustration of radiation patterns of a
two-element phased array directional antenna when driven out of
phase. Same as in FIG. 15, directional antenna 1544 has radiation
pattern 1582 when it is not driven out of phase. Radiation patterns
1582A and 1582B illustrate the effect of driving directional
antenna 1544 out of phase. The effective orientation of directional
antenna 1544 is the direction at which directional antenna 1544 has
the highest gain. Thus, radiation patterns 1582, 1582A, and 1582B
are each related to a different effective orientation of
directional antenna 1544. In one embodiment, directional antenna
1544 is driven out of phase when the two weighting factors
introduced to antenna elements 1544A and 1544B have at least a
relatively different phase angle. The effective orientation of
directional antenna 1544 is steered by adjusting at least the
relative phase difference between the two weighting factors. In an
alternative embodiment, directional antenna 1544 is driven out of
phase when antenna elements 1544A and 1544B are tuned to introduce
different phase angles to the RF signals transmitted or received
through antenna elements 1544A and 1544B.
[0070] Directional antenna 1444 or 1544 allows electronic alignment
between external antenna system 124 and implanted antenna system
114 to establish RF telemetry link 190. This eliminates the need
for physically positioning external device 120. As compared to an
antenna system having two or more planar patch or slot directional
antennas, a phased-array directional antenna is potentially more
suitable when relatively fine directionality is required or
desired. In other words, a phased-array directional antenna is
suitable for establishing RF telemetry link 190 in a clinical
environment where narrow antenna beamwidth is necessary or
desired.
[0071] FIG. 17 is a schematic/block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a circuit corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 14.
The circuit constitutes portions of external telemetry module 122
and an antenna system 124. In one embodiment, antenna system 124
has, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, a
phased-array antenna 1444 having antenna elements 1444A-D. External
telemetry module 122 includes a transceiver 660, a controller 670,
and an antenna interface circuit 1752. Transceiver 660 is
substantially the same as, or substantially similar to, the same
element as in the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0072] Controller 670 controls whether transceiver 660 transmits or
receives RF signals and includes a signal analyzer 672 and an
antenna steerer 1776. The signal analyzer analyzes signal quality
of RF signals received at a plurality of effective orientations of
directional antenna 1444. In one embodiment, signal analyzer 672
measures the amplitude of the RF signal received at each of the
plurality of effective orientations. In a further embodiment,
signal analyzer 672 examines integrity of the data recovered by
transceiver 660 and generates a data integrity indicator. Antenna
steerer 1776 is a directionality controller of antenna system 124.
In the embodiment of FIG. 17, Antenna steerer 1776 controls the
directionality of antenna system 124 by determining the effective
orientation associated with the best signal quality, steering
directional antenna 1444 to that effective orientation, and locking
directional antenna 1444 in that effective orientation. In one
embodiment, antenna system 124 is coupled to transceiver 660
through antenna interface circuit 1752, which is an antenna
orientation circuit allowing effectively orientation of directional
antenna 1444. In one embodiment, antenna interface circuit 1752
includes individual interface circuits 1752A-D respectively
connected to antenna elements 1444A-D. In one embodiment, interface
circuits 1752A-D are multipliers allowing the weighting factors to
be multiplied with RF signals received through antenna elements
1444A-D, respectively. In one embodiment, a table containing the
weighting factors defining the plurality of effective orientations
of directional antenna 1444 is stored in a memory 1771. Antenna
steerer 1776 applies the weighting factors to sweep through the
plurality of effective orientations to test directional antenna
1444 at each of the plurality of effective orientations. In an
alternative embodiment, interface circuits 1752A-D are delay
elements each having an adjustable transmission delay. In one
embodiment, delay elements 1752A-D each include wires or other
metal paths of different length. The transmission delay is adjusted
by selecting one of the wires or other metal paths to connect to
the corresponding antenna element. Antenna steerer 1776 controls
the transmission delay of each of delay elements 1752A-D to result
in the plurality of effective orientations at which directional
antenna 1444 will be tested. In one embodiment, a table containing
transmission delays defining the plurality of effective
orientations is stored in memory 1771. In another embodiment,
interface circuit 1752 includes an array of delay lines each
associated with a different transmission delay. The number of the
delay lines in the array is equal to or more than the number of
antenna elements in antenna 1444. Antenna steerer 1776 includes a
delay line selector that selects delay lines from the array of
delay lines and selectively couples each of the selected delay
lines between one of antenna elements 1444A-D and transceiver 660.
Delay elements 1752A-D represent these selected delay lines.
Antenna elements 1444A-D and the array of delay lines are connected
in a plurality of combinations to result in the plurality of
effective orientations at which directional antenna 1444 will be
tested.
[0073] FIG. 18 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a
method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 14. Directional
antenna 1444 is tested at a predetermined number (N) of effective
orientations. The number of effective orientations to be tested
depends on the beamwidth of directional antenna 1444 and the total
range of directions to be tested. In one embodiment, the
predetermined total range of directions is 0.degree.-360.degree.,
i.e., the N effective orientations cover a 360.degree. space in one
plane. In another embodiment, the total range of directions
includes one or more portions of 0.degree.-360.degree., i.e., the N
effective orientations cover one or more less-than-360.degree.
spaces in one plane. In one embodiment, the total range of
directions is equally divided over the first to Nth effective
orientations, resulting in first through Nth spaces. In one
specific embodiment, directional antenna 1444 has a constant
beamwidth, and N equals approximately 360.degree. divided by that
beamwidth (in term of degrees).
[0074] At 1800, directional antenna 1444 is tested for a first
effective orientation. The first effective orientation is the first
of the predetermined number of effective orientations at which
directional antenna 1444 will be tested. Testing directional
antenna 1444 at the first effective orientation includes at least
four steps 1801-1804. At 1801, antenna steerer 1776 electronically
steers directional antenna 1444 to a first effective orientation.
In one embodiment, directional antenna 1444 is electronically
steered by applying the weighting factors to RF signals received
through each of antenna elements 1444A-D. In another embodiment,
directional antenna 1444 is electronically steered by adjusting the
transmission delays associated with antenna elements 1444A-D. At
1802, external telemetry module 122 receives an RF signal through
directional antenna 1444. The RF signal is modulated with binary
data and transmitted from implanted device 110. In one embodiment,
external telemetry module 122 receives the RF signal after it sends
out a command causing implanted device 110 to operate in the
telemetry testing mode. In this mode, the RF signal is at least a
portion of the RF test signal generated by the RF test signal
generator of implanted telemetry module 112. At 1803, signal
analyzer 672 analyzes signal quality of the RF signal received at
1802. In one embodiment, signal analyzer 672 examines data
integrity of the received RF signal by performing error-checking in
accordance with a predetermined protocol. In an additional
embodiment, signal analyzer 672 measures the amplitude of the
received RF signal. At 1804, one or more quality indicators
associated with the first effective orientation, as an outcome of
analyzing the quality of the RF signal at 1803, are recorded. The
recording of the one or more quality indicators associated with the
first effective orientation concludes the test of directional
antenna 1444 for the first effective orientation.
[0075] At 1810, directional antenna 1444 is tested, one at a time,
at each of the predetermined number (N) of effective orientations
covering a predetermined total range of directions. This includes
repeating the test procedure of 1801-1804 for a second through Nth
effective orientations. In one embodiment, external telemetry
module 122 starts testing the first effective orientation after it
sends out a command causing implanted device 110 to operate in the
telemetry testing mode. In a further embodiment, implanted device
110 operates in the telemetry testing mode until the Nth effective
orientation has been tested. In this mode, the RF signal in each
repetition of steps 1801-1804 is a portion of the RF test signal
generated by the RF test signal generator of implanted telemetry
module 112. As a result, N sets of quality indicators are recorded,
corresponding to the N effective orientations. At 1820, antenna
steerer 1776 compares among the N sets of quality indicators. In
one embodiment, antenna steerer 1776 compares the amplitudes of the
RF signals received at the N effective orientations to determine
the effective orientation providing the largest RF signal
amplitude. In an alternative embodiment, antenna steerer 1776
compares the amplitudes of the RF signals received at the effective
orientations at which the data integrity is satisfactory to
determine the effective orientation providing the largest RF signal
amplitude and a satisfactory data integrity. At 1830, antenna
steerer 1776 selects an effective orientation at which an RF
telemetry session will be started, based on an outcome of the
comparison among the quality indicators at 1820. In one embodiment,
antenna steerer 1776 selects the effective orientation providing
the largest RF signal amplitude. In another embodiment, antenna
steerer 1776 selects an effective orientation providing a
satisfactory data integrity. In a further embodiment, antenna
steerer 1776 selects the effective orientation providing the
largest RF signal amplitude while providing a satisfactory data
integrity. After the effective orientation is selected at 1830,
antenna steerer 1776 electronically steers directional antenna 1444
to the selected effective orientation and locks directional antenna
1444 in that effective direction at 1840. At 1850, controller 670
issues a signal to start an RF telemetry session between external
device 120 and implanted device 110.
[0076] In one embodiment, after the RF telemetry session is started
at 1850, controller 672 starts to repeat steps 1800-1850, at 1860,
on a predetermined periodic basis during the RF telemetry session.
In a further embodiment, at 1860, controller 670 starts to repeat
steps 1800-1850 on the predetermined periodic basis with a
different set of effective orientations 1 to N that is limited to
cover a vicinity of the effective orientation that directional
antenna 1444 has been locked into. This enables the effective
orientation of directional antenna 1444 to track, for example, the
direction of the patient moving within a limited area, such as
running on a treadmill. In another embodiment, after the RF
telemetry session is started at 1850, signal analyzer 672 monitors
the quality of the RF signal on a continuous or periodic basis. At
1860, controller 670 starts to repeat steps 1800-1850 whenever
signal analyzer 672 determines that the quality of the RF signal is
no longer satisfactory during the RF telemetry session. In one
embodiment, steps 1800-1850 are repeated while the RF telemetry
operation is ongoing without significant interruptions to the RF
telemetry session. In one embodiment, external device 120 sends a
command to implanted device 110 to start to repeat steps 1800-1850
by causing implanted device to operate in the telemetry testing
mode. In this embodiment, the RF telemetry operation is interrupted
at least for the period during which implanted device 110 operates
in the telemetry testing mode. At the end of each repetition of
steps 1800-1850, if a new effective orientation is selected,
directional antenna 1444 is locked in the new effective
orientation. This ensures that RF telemetry link 190 remains
functional throughout the RF telemetry session, even when, for
example, implanted device 110 changes position because the patient
carrying it moves. The RF telemetry session concludes when all the
data transmissions for the session are completed or stopped by an
unintended interruption.
[0077] FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of
the method corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 14. In this
embodiment, an operating beamwidth is predetermined for directional
antenna 1444. The operating beamwidth applies throughout an RF
telemetry session except for periods during which an effective
orientation is being tested. The predetermined total range of
directions is first divided into two spaces corresponding to
effective orientations A and B. In one embodiment, the
predetermined total range of directions is first equally divided
into two spaces, such that directional antenna 1444 has the same
beamwidth to cover each of the effective orientations A and B.
Steps 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 are substantially the similar to
steps 1800, 1810, 1820, and 1830, respectively, expect that
directional antenna 1444 is tested for only one effective direction
(B) at 1910. As a result, two sets of quality indicators are
recorded, corresponding to the effective orientations A and B. At
1920, antenna steerer 1776 compares among the two sets of quality
indicators. Step 1920 is substantially similar to step 1820 with N
equal to two. At 1930, antenna steerer 1776 selects one of the
effective orientations A and B based on an outcome of the
comparison among the quality indicators at 1920. The criteria for
the selection are substantially similar to the criteria discussed
above with respect to step 1830. At 1935, if the selected effective
orientation corresponds to a range of directions equal to or
narrower than the predetermined operating beamwidth of directional
antenna 1444, antenna steerer 1776 electronically steers
directional antenna 1444 to the selected effective orientation if
it has not already pointed to that direction, and locks directional
antenna 1444 in that effective direction at 1940. If the selected
effective orientation corresponds to a range of directions wider
than the predetermined operating beamwidth of directional antenna
1444, the range of directions covered by the selected effective
orientation is further divided into a new set of effective
orientations A and B at 1936. In one embodiment, the range of
directions covered by the selected effective orientation is equally
divided into two spaces, such that directional antenna 1444 has the
same beamwidth to cover each of the new set of effective
orientations A and B. Steps 1900-1935 are repeated until the
selected effective orientation corresponds to a range of directions
equal to or narrower than the predetermined operating beamwidth of
directional antenna 1444. At 1950, if an RF session has not been
started, controller 670 issues a signal to start an RF telemetry
session between external device 120 and implanted device 110. If
the RF session has been started, it is continued with directional
antenna being locked on the latest selected effective
orientation.
[0078] In one embodiment, after the RF telemetry session is started
at 1950, controller 670 starts to repeat steps 1900-1950, at 1960,
on a predetermined periodic basis during the RF telemetry session.
In a further embodiment, at 1960, controller 670 starts to repeat
steps 1900-1950 on the predetermined periodic basis with the
effective orientations A and B being limited to a vicinity of the
effective orientation that directional antenna 1444 has been locked
into. This enables the effective orientation of directional antenna
1444 to track, for example, the direction of the patient moving
within a limited area, such as running on a treadmill. In another
embodiment, after the RF telemetry session is started at 1950,
signal analyzer 672 monitors the quality of the RF signal on a
continuous or periodic basis. At 1960, controller 670 starts to
repeat steps 1900-1950 whenever signal analyzer 672 determines that
the quality of the RF signal is no longer satisfactory during the
RF telemetry session. In one embodiment, steps 1900-1950 are
repeated while the RF telemetry operation is ongoing without
significant interruptions to the RF telemetry session. In one
embodiment, external device 120 sends a command to implanted device
110 to start to repeat steps 1900-1950 by causing implanted device
to operate in the telemetry testing mode. In this embodiment, the
RF telemetry operation is interrupted at least for the period
during which implanted device 110 operates in the telemetry testing
mode. At the end of each repetition of steps 1900-1950, if a new
effective orientation is selected, directional antenna 1444 is
locked in the new effective orientation. This ensures that RF
telemetry link 190 remains functional throughout the RF telemetry
session, even when, for example, implanted device 110 changes
position because the patient carrying it moves.
[0079] If dividing the predetermined total range of directions by
two results in two spaces each being wider than the maximum
beamwidth of directional antenna 1444, portions of the methods of
FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are to be combined. The predetermined total
range of directions is first divided by N to result in N equal
spaces each being no wider than the maximum beamwidth of
directional antenna 1444. One of the N equal spaces is selected as
the effective orientation by performing 1800-1830 discussed above
with reference to FIG. 18. This effective direction then serves as
the predetermined total range of directions that is to be divided
by two to result in the effective orientations A and B of the
method of FIG. 19. Then, the method of FIG. 19 is performed. In one
specific embodiment, as an example, the predetermined total range
of directions includes a 360.degree. space. Directional antenna
1444 has a maximum beamwidth of 120.degree.. The 360.degree. space
is first divided into three 120.degree. spaces, corresponding to
the effective orientations 1 to N (N=3) that are tested at
1800-1830. Then, one of the three 120.degree. spaces is selected at
1830. If the operating beamwidth of directional antenna 1444 is
predetermined to be narrower than 120.degree., the selected
120.degree. space is divided into two 60.degree. spaces,
corresponding to the effective orientations A and B that are tested
by performing 1900-1930. At 1930, one of the two 60.degree. spaces
is selected. If the predetermined operating beamwidth of
directional antenna 1444 is narrower than 60.degree., the selected
60.degree. space is divided into two 30.degree. spaces,
corresponding to a new set of effective orientations A and B that
are tested by repeating 1900-1930. The process proceeds to step
1940 if the operating beamwidth of directional antenna 1444 is
predetermined to be at least 30.degree.. In general, this loop of
repeated testing and selection (1900-1930) ends when the effective
orientation selected at 1930 corresponds to an angular space equal
to or narrower than the operating beamwidth of directional antenna
1444.
[0080] It is to be understood that the above detailed description
is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example,
the implantable device can be any implantable medical device having
an active electronic circuit. Many other embodiments will be
apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above
description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
* * * * *