Work

Wireless communication with implanted medical devices using the conductive properties of the body

Year: 2011

Type: review

Abstract: Many medical devices that are implanted in the body use wires or wireless radiofrequency telemetry to communicate with circuitry outside the body. However, the wires are a common source of surgical complications, including breakage, infection and electrical noise. In addition, radiofrequency telemetry requires large amounts of power and results in low-efficiency transmission through biological tissue. As an alternative, the conductive properties of the body can be used to enable wireless communication with implanted devices. In this article, several methods of intrabody communication are described and compared. In addition to reducing the complications that occur with current implantable medical devices, intrabody communication can enable novel types of miniature devices for research and clinical applications.

Source: Expert Review of Medical Devices

DOI: 10.1586/erd.11.16

Authors: John E Ferguson, A David Redish

Institution: University of Minnesota

Language: English

Topic: Wireless Body Area Networks

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering