Improved telemetry antennas and methods of fabrication for an implantable medical device (IMD) for use in uplink telemetry (UT) and downlink telemetry (DT) transmissions between the IMD and an external medical device (EMD) are disclosed. A first telemetry antenna element is supported to extend in a first direction along a minor side of the IMD housing by a first header segment, and a second antenna element is supported to extend in a second direction along a second minor side of the IMD housing by a second header segment. The first and second antenna elements are supported to extend apart at substantially 90.degree. to one another, i.e., substantially orthogonally, in substantially a common plane to optimize UT transmission and DT reception of UHF telemetry signals by at least one of the first and second antenna elements depending upon the mutual spatial orientation with the antenna elements of an EMD antenna.
A connector assembly for coupling to an implantable medical device includes a core element formed of a first thermoplastic material shaped to receive a connector member for receiving a lead. The connector assembly further includes a circuit member positioned adjacent to the core element. The circuit member includes a portion extending along the core element to the connector member and an antenna structure extending over a portion of the core element outer surface.
Adjustable gastric band implants contain a hollow elastomeric balloon with fixed end points encircling a patient's stomach just inferior to the esophago-gastric junction. These balloons can expand and contract through the introduction of saline solution into the balloon. In current bands, this saline solution must be injected into a subcutaneous port with a needle to reach the port located below the skin surface. The port communicates hydraulically with the band via a catheter. As an alternative to using a percutaneously accessed injection port, a system for regulating the flow of saline that is totally implanted may rely upon bi-directionally pumping fluid from an implant device. This system instead transfers AC magnetic flux energy from an external primary coil to a secondary coil that powers the pump in the implanted reservoir. A magnetically permeable rod centered within the primary coil increases power coupled to the secondary coil.
