Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11139561-B2
Publication Date
2021-10-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
An antenna assembly includes: a wearable antenna including a conductive signal layer having a radiating surface; a feed conductive layer; and an insulating layer in between the conductive signal layer and the feed conductive layer, and wherein the conductive signal layer, the feed conductive layer, and the insulating layer are fabric-based, wherein the wearable antenna is shaped and sized to be embedded in a subject's clothing with sufficient flexibility to be stretched and bent as the subject implanted with a passive implantable stimulator device maintains routine daily activities, and wherein the wearable antenna is electrically tuned and configured to have the radiating surface of the conductive signal layer facing the subject's skin and a feed point of the feed conductive layer connecting to a controller such that the wearable antenna is non-inductively coupled to the implanted passive stimulator device to supply power the passive implantable stimulator device wirelessly and non-inductively.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a wireless RF stimulation system using a wearable antenna embedded in clothing to provide electrical power wirelessly through a radiating surface to a passive implantable stimulator device. The wearable antenna includes a conductive signal layer with two or more conductor strips, where at least one conductor strip is configured to provide a radiating surface, a feed conductive layer with a feed point, and an insulating layer disposed between the conductive signal layer and the feed conductive layer. At least one of the conductive signal layer, the feed conductive layer, and the insulating layer incorporates a fabric material.
The wearable antenna is shaped and sized with sufficient flexibility to be stretched and bent as a subject implanted with a passive implantable stimulator device maintains routine daily activities. The wearable antenna is electrically tuned, and the feed point of the feed conductive layer is connectable to a controller so that when the wearable antenna is worn by the subject, it is non-inductively coupled to the passive implantable stimulator device. Electrical power is supplied wirelessly through the radiating surface.
The document describes multiple fabric-based antenna architectures, including patch antenna, dipole/bowtie, band aid forms, and dipole antenna arrays with phase control. It also describes conductor implementations using conductive ink printing, metallized nylon, copper-clad flexible laminated composites, and conductive embroidery/thread. It further describes electrically tuned and oriented fabric antenna structures with the radiating surface facing skin, and performance characterization concepts including constructive interference and SAR hotspot reduction.
Claims Coverage
The provided partial content includes two independent claims. Across these independent claims, the coverage centers on a fabric-incorporating wearable antenna architecture with conductive signal and feed conductive layers separated by an insulating layer, electrical tuning with a controller-connectable feed point, non-inductive coupling to a passive implantable stimulator device, and flexibility for daily activities.
Fabric-incorporating wearable antenna with radiating surface
A wearable antenna comprising a conductive signal layer that includes two or more conductor strips, wherein at least one conductor strip is configured to provide a radiating surface; a feed conductive layer comprising a feed point; and an insulating layer disposed between the conductive signal layer and the feed conductive layer; wherein at least one of the conductive signal layer, the feed conductive layer, and the insulating layer incorporates a fabric material.
Stretchable/bendable wearable antenna for daily activities
The wearable antenna is shaped and sized with sufficient flexibility to be stretched and bent as a subject implanted with a passive implantable stimulator device maintains routine daily activities.
Electrically tuned controller-connectable non-inductive wireless power coupling through radiating surface
The wearable antenna is electrically tuned and the feed point of the feed conductive layer is connectable to a controller such that when the wearable antenna is worn by the subject, the wearable antenna is non-inductively coupled to the passive implantable stimulator device to supply electrical power to the passive implantable stimulator device wirelessly through the radiating surface.
System with passive implantable stimulator, controller, and wearable antenna
A system comprising a passive implantable stimulator; a controller; and a wearable antenna, the wearable antenna comprising a conductive signal layer that includes two or more conductor strips, at least one of which conductor strips is configured to provide a radiating surface; a feed conductive layer comprising a feed point; and an insulating layer disposed between the conductive signal layer and the feed conductive layer; wherein at least one of the conductive signal layer, the feed conductive layer, and the insulating layer incorporates a fabric material; wherein the wearable antenna is shaped and sized with sufficient flexibility to be stretched and bent as a subject implanted with the passive implantable stimulator device maintains routine daily activities; and wherein the wearable antenna is electrically tuned and the feed point of the feed conductive layer is connectable to the controller such that when the wearable antenna is worn by the subject, the wearable antenna is non-inductively coupled to the passive implantable stimulator device to supply electrical power to the passive implantable stimulator device wirelessly through the radiating surface.
The independent claims collectively cover a fabric-incorporating wearable antenna architecture with a radiating conductive signal layer, a feed conductive layer with a feed point, and an insulating layer between them, stretchable/bendable configuration for routine daily activities, and electrical tuning with a controller-connectable feed point enabling non-inductive wireless power delivery through the radiating surface to a passive implantable stimulator device.
Stated Advantages
Non-inductive wireless coupling to a passive implantable stimulator device to supply electrical power wirelessly through the radiating surface.
Accommodates routine daily activities by being shaped and sized with sufficient flexibility to be stretched and bent.
Electrically tuned wearable antenna.
Documented Applications
Wireless RF stimulation via a passive implantable stimulator device powered wirelessly by a wearable, clothing-embedded antenna with a radiating surface oriented toward skin.
Interested in licensing this patent?