Compact Planar Antenna for Wireless Biotelemetry in Implantable Neurostimulation Devices

This article introduces a compact planar antenna for implantable neurostimulation devices that ensures efficient and reliable communication with handheld devices while minimizing battery drainage. The antenna design operates within the 2.4–2.48 GHz frequency range, suitable for the 2.45 GHz ISM band. A cubical shell, created using 3-D printing technology, was employed to evaluate the antenna's performance on pig tissue models. Reflection coefficient measurements and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) analysis were conducted to assess safety and functionality. The newly designed antenna demonstrated an impedance bandwidth ranging from 2.2 GHz to 2.67 GHz when integrated into the device and positioned between pig tissues. The SAR analysis confirmed that the antenna adheres to safety standards for electromagnetic exposure. The antenna effectively maintains communication capabilities and meets safety standards when embedded within the human body, thus addressing key challenges in implantable device functionality due to antenna detuning. This study contributes significantly to the field of implantable biomedical devices, offering a viable solution to communication effectiveness while ensuring energy efficiency and safety compliance, thereby improving long-term device functionality.