RF Transceivers Enable Implantable Medical Devices

Abstract

Implantable medical devices enabled by the MICS (Medical Implant Communications Service) standard are just starting to appear in the marketplace. This article provides a brief summary of the FCC rules governing MICS devices, introduces a low-power 402 to 405 MHz RF transceiver for MICS applications, and discusses implications for the future of implantable medical devices.

Introduction

Low-power RF transceivers are at the forefront of a broad trend to augment wireless communications for medical implantable devices. In fact, some of the latest cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators already employ a short-range 400 MHz wireless link that eases data communications between the implant and external handheld diagnostics and monitoring equipment.

The trend was enabled in 1999, when the FCC set aside a frequency band between 402 and 405 MHz specifically for wireless data communications between implanted medical devices and external equipment.

RF technology is expected to extend well beyond cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices to a variety of medical implants, such as implanted glucose meters and insulin pumps, vascular blood pressure monitors, incontinence control devices, and neuromodulators.