Antennas for use with transcutaneously powered medical implants
An antenna having an inductor assembly including at least two conductors, which each define a conductor diameter D c , and an electrically non-conductive carrier defining at least two lumens in which the at least two conductors are respectively located. The carrier maintains a conductor spacing S between the at least two conductors, and the inductor assembly defines at least one turn. The conductor spacing S and conductor diameter D c together define a S/D c ratio that ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.2.
1. An antenna for use with a medical implant, the antenna comprising:
an inductor assembly including at least two conductors, which each define a conductor diameter D C , and an electrically non-conductive carrier defining at least two lumens in which the at least two conductors are respectively located that maintains a conductor spacing S between the at least two conductors;
wherein the inductor assembly defines at least one turn; and
wherein the conductor spacing S and conductor diameter D C together define a S/D C ratio that ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.2.
2. An antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
wherein the S/D C ratio is about 1.0.
3. An antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the inductor assembly includes four conductors; and
the electrically non-conductive carrier defines four lumens in which the four conductors are respectively located.
4. An antenna as claimed in claim 3 , wherein
the four conductors are arranged in two rows and two columns;
the S/D C ratio for the conductors in each row ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.2; and
the S/D C ratio for the conductors in each column ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.2.
5. An antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
each conductor includes six cables twisted around a center cable in a hexagonal formation.
6. An antenna as claimed in claim 5 , wherein
each cable includes six wires twisted around an center wire in a hexagonal formation.
7. An antenna as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the inductor assembly defines three turns.
8. A cochlear implant, comprising:
a stimulation processor;
a cochlear lead with an electrode array operably connected to the stimulation processor; and
an antenna including
an inductor assembly with at least two conductors, which each define a conductor diameter D C , and an electrically non-conductive carrier defining at least two lumens in which the at least two conductors are respectively located that maintains a conductor spacing S between the at least two conductors,
wherein the inductor assembly defines at least one turn, and
wherein the conductor spacing S and conductor diameter D C together define a S/D C ratio that ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.2.
9. A cochlear implant as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising:
a flexible housing that houses the a stimulation processor and antenna.
10. A cochlear implant as claimed in claim 8 , wherein
wherein the S/D C ratio is about 1.0.
11. A cochlear implant as claimed in claim 8 , wherein
the inductor assembly includes four conductors; and
the electrically non-conductive carrier defines four lumens in which the four conductors are respectively located.
12. A cochlear implant as claimed in claim 11 , wherein
the four conductors are arranged in two rows and two columns;
the S/D C ratio for the conductors in each row ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.2; and
the S/D C ratio for the conductors in each column ranges from about 0.5 to about 1.2.
13. A cochlear implant as claimed in claim 8 , wherein
each conductor includes six cables twisted around a center cable in a hexagonal formation.
14. A cochlear implant as claimed in claim 13 , wherein
each cable includes six wires twisted around an center wire in a hexagonal formation.
15. A cochlear implant as claimed in claim 8 , wherein
the inductor assembly defines three turns.