Trade-offs for wireless transcutaneous RF communication in biotelemetric applications

Abstract

The application of biotelemetry in the case of a RF controllable microvalve is discussed. Biotelemetry implies the contactless measurement of different electrical and nonelectrical parameters measured on human or animal subjects. A biotelemetry system consists of a transmitter and a receiver with a transmission link in-between. Transmitted information can be a biopotential or a nonelectric value like arterial pressure, respiration, body temperature or pH value. Transducers convert nonelectrical values into electrical signals. Radio frequency (RF) telemetry allows a patient greater mobility. Above all, the application of wireless communication becomes more and more popular in microinvasive surgery. Battery powered implants are most commonly used, but batteries must be changed after a period of time. To avoid this, wireless transcutaneous radio frequency (RF) communication is proposed for the powering and control of medical implants.