Header core fixation design for an imd

Abstract

An implantable medical device includes a housing with an outer surface that defines a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a battery assembly positioned within the housing between the first end and the second end, a first electrode positioned at or near the first end, a second electrode positioned at or near the second end, integrated circuitry positioned between the first end and the second end and electrically coupled to the first electrode, and an antenna communicatively coupled to the integrated circuitry and configured to wirelessly send and receive data to and from a receiver positioned externally to the implantable medical device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An implantable medical device (IMD) comprising:
 a housing that is elongated and that has an outer surface that defines a first end and a second end opposite the first end;   a battery assembly positioned within the housing between the first end and the second end;   a first electrode positioned at or near the first end;   a second electrode positioned at or near the second end;   integrated circuitry positioned between the first end and the second end and electrically coupled to the first electrode; and   an antenna communicatively coupled to the integrated circuitry and configured to wirelessly send and receive data to and from a receiver positioned externally to the IMD.   
     
     
         2 . The IMD of  claim 1 , wherein the data include physiological data. 
     
     
         3 . The IMD of  claim 1 , wherein the data include cardiac signals, wherein the integrated circuitry is programmed to activate, record the data for a limited period of time, and then deactivate. 
     
     
         4 . The IMD of  claim 3 , wherein the integrated circuitry is activated upon detection of an event. 
     
     
         5 . The IMD of  claim 3 , wherein the integrated circuitry is periodically activated according to predetermined periods of time. 
     
     
         6 . The IMD of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is configured to communicate via a short-range radio link. 
     
     
         7 . The IMD of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuitry is configured to receive, via the antenna, commands to initiate, terminate, or modify therapy from the receiver. 
     
     
         8 . The IMD of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the antenna is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The IMD of  claim 8 , wherein the antenna includes a planar portion with a u-shaped section. 
     
     
         10 . The IMD of  claim 9 , wherein the planar portion also includes a straight section that leads to the u-shaped section. 
     
     
         11 . The IMD of  claim 10 , wherein the straight section and the u-shaped section have a uniform thickness and width. 
     
     
         12 . The IMD of  claim 9 , wherein the planar portion has an outer shape that substantially matches a shape of the outer surface of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The IMD of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface defines a first curved surface that includes the first end, wherein the outer surface defines a second curved surface that includes the second end. 
     
     
         14 . The IMD of  claim 13 , wherein the outer surface defines first and second elongated flat surfaces positioned between the first end and the second end and at opposite sides of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The IMD of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is a monopole antenna. 
     
     
         16 . The IMD of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna is a slot antenna. 
     
     
         17 . The IMD of  claim 1 , further comprising a scaffold assembly arranged within the housing and configured to position and support the antenna relative to the first electrode. 
     
     
         18 . The IMD of  claim 17 , wherein the housing includes a core assembly positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the battery assembly is at least partially positioned in the core assembly, wherein a first end of the core assembly includes a first mating feature, wherein the scaffold assembly includes a second mating feature, wherein the first mating feature is complimentary to the second mating feature. 
     
     
         19 . The IMD of  claim 17 , wherein the scaffold assembly includes openings, wherein a connection wire coupled between the antenna and the integrated circuitry extends through one of the openings. 
     
     
         20 . The IMD of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable medical device comprises at least one of an implantable diagnostic monitor, a cardiac pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator device, and a cardiac resynchronization therapy device.