Implantable Zero-Wire Communications System
The present invention provides implantable systems that communicate wirelessly with each other using a unique format that enables devices configurations and applications heretofore not possible. Embodiments of the present invention provide communication apparatuses and methods for exchanging information with implantable medical devices. In some embodiments, two implantable devices communicate with each other using quasi-electrostatic signal transmission in a long wavelength/low frequency electromagnetic band, with the patient's body acting as a conductive medium.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A communications device for use within a body of a patient, said communications device comprising:
(a) a power supply;
(b) a signal generating circuit coupled to said power supply and configured to generate a signal; and
(c) an antenna coupled to said signal generating circuit and configured to transmit said signal via quasi electrostatic coupling to said body.
22 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein said power supply comprises a battery.
23 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein said power supply comprises:
(i) an antenna configured to receive energy from an energy source via a quasi electrostatic coupling to said body; and
(ii) a converter circuit configured to convert the received energy to electrical power.
24 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein said antenna comprises a pair of electrodes separated by a gap.
25 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein said signal generating circuit is further configured to generate a signal representing information.
26 . The communications device according to claim 25 , wherein said signal generating circuit comprises an oscillator coupled to said antenna.
27 . The communications device according to claim 26 , wherein said oscillator is configured to operate at a frequency such that a radiation field generated by the antenna has a wavelength more than 10 times longer than a largest dimension of said body.
28 . The communications device according to claim 27 , wherein said oscillator is configured to operate at a frequency of about 10 MHz or less.
29 . The communications device according to claim 28 , wherein said oscillator is configured to operate at a frequency of between about 300 Hz and about 1 MHz.
30 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein said signal generating circuit comprises:
(i) a driver coupled to drive a time varying potential on said antenna;
(ii) an oscillator having an output coupled to said driver; and
(iii) a modulator configured to modulate a frequency of the oscillator output so as to encode the information.
31 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein said signal generating circuit comprises:
(i) a driver coupled to drive a time varying potential on said antenna;
(ii) an oscillator having an output coupled to said driver; and
(ii) a modulator configured to modulate a phase of said oscillator output so as to encode the information.
32 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein said signal generating circuit includes:
(i) a driver coupled to drive a time varying potential on said antenna;
(ii) an oscillator having an output coupled to said driver; and
(iii) a modulator configured to modulate an amplitude of said oscillator output so as to encode the information.
33 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein device is an implantable medical device.
34 . The communications device according to claim 33 , wherein said device includes a sensor.
35 . The communications device according to claim 34 , wherein said sensor is a blood flow sensor.
36 . The communications device according to claim 35 , wherein said blood flow sensor comprises a resistivity sensor.
37 . The communications device according to claim 35 , wherein said blood flow sensor comprises an electromagnetic blood flow sensor.
38 . The communications device according to claim 33 , wherein said device includes an effector.
39 . The communications device according to claim 38 , wherein said effector comprises an electrode.
40 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein the device is an ingestible medical device.
41 . The communications device according to claim 21 , wherein said device is a pharmaceutical delivery device.
42 - 113 . (canceled)