Antenna structures for implantable medical devices

A device comprising:

• a housing configured to be implanted within a patient;
• a fixation mechanism configured to be implanted within the patient;
• an anchoring structure configured to mechanically anchor the fixation mechanism to the housing, wherein the anchoring structure is configured to electrically ground the fixation mechanism to the housing;
• and
• a connector configured to electrically couple the fixation mechanism to telemetry circuitry within the housing, wherein the anchoring structure, instead of the connector, is configured to provide structural support between the fixation mechanism and the housing.

A device comprising:

• an implantable housing comprising a telemetry module;
• means for attaching the housing to an anatomical structure within a patient, wherein the attaching means is mechanically anchored to the implantable housing, and wherein the attaching means comprises means for electrically grounding the attaching means to the implantable housing;
• and
• means for electrically connecting the attaching means to the telemetry module, wherein the attaching means is configured to operate as at least a portion of an antenna to at least one of transmit or receive communication signals, and wherein the electrically grounding means, instead of the electrically connecting means, comprises means for providing structural support between the attaching means and the implantable housing.