Certain investigations on the development of implantable antennas for medical applications

Abstract

Electromagnetism has been steadily growing its presence in medicine, since the first X-ray medical experiments made at the end of the nineteenth century. The Radio Frequency (RF) or microwave applications are playing an important role in healthcare, detection and prevention of diseases like septic wound, cancer with hyperthermia and drug absorption. The wireless communication is incredibly useful to increase the comfort in providing treatment to the patients by reducing the invasiveness of Electromagnetic (EM) medical instruments. Pacemakers were first introduced in early 1960s and the first swallow-able pills with sensing capabilities confirmed the importance of Implantable Medical Devices (IMDs) that allow monitoring and treatment of diseases. The operation of the system and the condition of a patient has been monitored by employing IMDs through wireless communication. In 21st century, an important revolution in the medical field has happened, which has provided the quality healthcare through well-defined diagnosis and treatment, due to the advancement in technology. The wireless implantable devices offer numerous benefits to healthcare system but the cost consideration is the important factor that needs to be addressed. The remote monitoring systems help to monitor the patient at home from hospital so that the doctors may know about the health condition of patients. Over the last decade, research in the field of wireless medical applications by employing embedded devices has been increased tremendously. Implantable sensors inserted in the body conveyed the critical data such as blood sugar levels, blood pressure and so on to the peripheral monitoring device through wireless communication. Nowadays, glucose monitoring, insulin pumps, deep brain stimulation, cochlear implants, intraocular imbedded antennas for restoring vision and endoscopy are some of the medical applications that get benefit from remote monitoring and control due to the introduction of implantable device. newline newline newline