Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Locating an implanted object based on external antenna loading
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Application No.: US11186388Application Date: 2005-07-20
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Publication No.: US07878207B2Publication Date: 2011-02-01
- Inventor: Steven M. Goetz , Todd V. Smith
- Applicant: Steven M. Goetz , Todd V. Smith
- Applicant Address: US MN Minneapolis
- Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
- Current Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US MN Minneapolis
- Agency: Shumaker & Sieffert, P.A.
- Main IPC: A61B19/00
- IPC: A61B19/00 ; A61B5/00

Abstract:
In general, the invention is directed to techniques for locating an implanted object using an external antenna. The implanted object may be, for example, an internal antenna that facilitates recharging of and/or communication with an implantable medical device. An external device coupled to the external antenna drives the antenna with a plurality of waveforms. Asymmetry in the loading profile of the external antenna when it is driven by the plurality of waveforms allows the external device or another device to determine the location of the implanted object relative to the external antenna. The external device or other device may provide information to a user based on the determined location of the implanted object relative to the external antenna, such as information to help a user position the external antenna with respect to an internal antenna in embodiments in which the implanted object is an internal antenna.
Public/Granted literature
- US20060016452A1 Locating an implanted object based on external antenna loading Public/Granted day:2006-01-26
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