Innovations and Challenges in RF Antenna Technologies for Implantable Medical Devices Communication

Abstract

Implantable medical devices (IMDs) are essential for life-saving healthcare advancements worldwide, enabling wireless remote monitoring capabilities. These capabilities include telemetry, wireless power transfer (WPT), and data communication. Modern active IMDs rely on robust wireless communication systems to transmit essential data, such as physiological information, diagnostic details, and parameters critical for optimizing therapies, both externally and among implantable subsystems. Fundamental communication techniques include optical, radiofrequency (RF), and ultrasonic. Achieving effective IMD communication through biological tissue requires careful consideration of the transmission modality to ensure safety and seamless integration with external systems. This paper examines the most widely adopted communication modalities, drawing insights from 56 research studies published over the past six years, with a particular emphasis on RF technology, which is favored for wireless IMDs due to recent progress in implantable antenna designs and WPT. These technological advancements have led to the development of compact, high-performance antennas that reduce interference, save power, and enable high-speed data transmission rates, establishing RF as the preferred modality for reliable and seamless communication in IMDs and opening up exciting possibilities for the future of healthcare technology.