Antenna and methods of use for an implantable nerve stimulator

Abstract

A pulse generator that includes a communications module is disclosed herein. The communication module includes a transceiver and an antenna circuit. The antenna circuit includes a first pathway having a capacitor and a second, parallel pathway including a capacitor, and a resistor, and a radiating element arranged in series. The antenna circuit is tuned to have a resonant frequency corresponding to a desired transmission frequency and a bandwidth corresponding to shifts in the resonant frequency arising from the implantation of the antenna.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable neurostimulator for delivering one or more electrical pulses to a target region within a patient's body according to a program received via wireless communication with an external device, the implantable neurostimulator comprising:
 a hermetic housing having an external surface comprising a biocompatible material that is configured to be implanted within a body of a patient;   a transceiver disposed within the hermetic housing and comprising a first lead and a second lead; and   a communication antenna circuit disposed within the hermetic housing and coupled to the first lead and the second lead, the communication antenna circuit comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first path and a second path parallel to the first path, the first path comprising a first capacitor, and the second path comprising:
 a second capacitor; 
 a radiating element comprising a plurality of conductive loops; and 
 a resistor, wherein the second capacitor, the resistor, and the radiating element are arranged in series.