In-body to off-body channel modelling

Recently, implanted devices have provided a promising area in medical telemetry. To make a reliable communication link between an implanted device and a base station, knowledge about wave propagation is necessary. Although there are some formulas for the path loss from in-body to off-body devices, there is no statistical model for this channel. In this paper, a ray tracing method is applied to model a cardiac implant in-body to off-body channel in an indoor area. The frequency is 403 MHz, which is allocated for medical implant communication services (MICS). Simulation results show that the electric field probability distribution function is almost log-logistic. Because of ray tracing accuracy limitations at this frequency for indoor areas, the error of this method is also calculated. The error estimation results show that in most of the cases (more than 90%) the relative error is less than 100%.

[1]  Yang Hao,et al.  Numerical Characterization and Link Budget Evaluation of Wireless Implants Considering Different Digital Human Phantoms , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

[2]  Anders J Johansson Wave-propagation from medical implants-influence of body shape on radiation pattern , 2002, Proceedings of the Second Joint 24th Annual Conference and the Annual Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society] [Engineering in Medicine and Biology.

[3]  Judith E. Terrill,et al.  A statistical path loss model for medical implant communication channels , 2009, 2009 IEEE 20th International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications.

[4]  A.K. Skrivervik,et al.  Implanted antenna for biomedical applications , 2008, 2008 IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium.

[5]  Jing Liang,et al.  Outdoor Propagation Channel Modeling in Foliage Environment , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology.

[6]  Kent L. Jones,et al.  Issues in developing a communication protocol for wireless (implanted) biodevices , 1996, Proceedings Ninth IEEE Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems.

[7]  Yahya Rahmat-Samii,et al.  Implanted Antennas in Medical Wireless Communications , 2006, Implanted Antennas in Medical Wireless Communications.

[8]  M. Takahashi,et al.  Implanted Planar Inverted F-Antenna for Cardiac Pacemaker System , 2008, 2008 International Workshop on Antenna Technology: Small Antennas and Novel Metamaterials.

[9]  Masaharu Takahashi,et al.  An implanted cavity slot antenna for medical communication systems , 2009, 2009 3rd European Conference on Antennas and Propagation.

[10]  A. V. Vorst,et al.  Applications of RF/microwaves in medicine , 2002 .

[11]  Henry Higgins BODY IMPLANT CONMMUNICATION - IS IT A REALITY? , 2007 .

[12]  Henry Higgins BODY IMPLANT COMMUNICATION – IS IT A REALITY ? , 2008 .