Securing antennas to wearable articles
A method of securing an antenna assembly to a wearable article includes positioning a template carrying a first antenna at a desired position on the wearable article worn on a body of a patient. The desired position is in proximity to a wireless tissue stimulator implanted within the body. The method further includes marking a location of the desired position of the template against the wearable article, securing a first attachment feature to the wearable article at a mark located at the desired position, and attaching the antenna assembly to the wearable article at the first attachment feature. The antenna assembly includes a second antenna configured to send a signal carrying electrical energy to the wireless tissue stimulator and a housing carrying the second antenna. The housing includes a second attachment feature configured to engage the first attachment feature for positioning the second antenna adjacent the body.
1. An antenna assembly, comprising:
an antenna configured to send a signal carrying electrical energy to a wireless tissue stimulator implanted within a body;
a housing carrying the antenna and a first attachment feature, the first attachment feature configured to engage a second attachment feature on a wearable article for positioning the antenna adjacent the body on which the wearable article is worn; and
a flexible circuit board disposed within the housing and supporting the antenna, the flexible circuit board defining a through opening at which the first attachment feature passes through the flexible circuit board and through the housing.
2. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna is configured to receive energy from a pulse generator.
3. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the signal is an RF signal, and the antenna is configured to send the RF signal at a frequency range of about 100 kHz to about 5 GHz.
4. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna is configured to receive data from the wireless tissue stimulator.
5. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna is secured to a support region of the flexible circuit board, and wherein the support region has a shape that is formed complimentary to a shape of the antenna.
6. The antenna assembly of claim 5 , wherein the flexible circuit board comprises a plurality of elongate through slots that terminate at the support region.
7. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna is spaced apart from the first attachment feature.
8. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the antenna is formed as a flat, flexible layer of metal.
9. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of the first attachment features that are configured to respectively engage a plurality of the second attachment features on the wearable article.
10. The antenna assembly of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of first attachment features defines a first pattern that aligns with a second pattern formed by the plurality of second attachment features.
11. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment feature comprises a pop rivet snap fastener.
12. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first attachment feature comprises a hook and loop fastener strip, a magnet, a friction ring, a pin, a hanging slot, or a friction clasp.
13. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wearable article comprises an upper body clothing article, a lower body clothing article, a whole body clothing article, or an accessory item.
14. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a sleeve.
15. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a flexible material.
16. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a molded fabric.
17. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a polymer made of one or more of silicone, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
18. The antenna assembly of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a rigid container.
19. A tissue stimulation system, comprising:
a pulse generator;
an antenna assembly, comprising:
an antenna configured to receive electrical energy from the pulse generator and configured to send a signal carrying the electrical energy to a wireless tissue stimulator implanted within a body,
a housing carrying the antenna and a first attachment feature, the first attachment feature configured to engage a second attachment feature on a wearable article for positioning the antenna adjacent the body on which the wearable article is worn, and
a flexible circuit board disposed within the housing and supporting the antenna, the flexible circuit board defining a through opening at which the first attachment feature passes through the flexible circuit board and through the housing; and
a second attachment feature configured to be attached to the wearable article and configured to engage the first attachment feature for securing the antenna assembly to the wearable article.