Human Body Communication Channel Characterization for Leadless Cardiac Pacemakers

Leadless Cardiac Pacemaker (LCP) devices are the cutting edge technology for cardiac rhythm management. An LCP requires to communicate with an external programmer and with different LCP nodes placed in different heart chambers. Human Body Communication (HBC) is an ultra-low power telemetry that exploits body conduction properties to propagate signals. There is a lack of studies in the literature about intra cardiac HBC channel characterization. Channel modeling is fundamental to prototype transceivers able to link different LCP devices. Quasi-Static Simulations based on Finite Element Method (FEM) have been used to characterize all HBC channels involved in LCP telemetry. A very accurate 3D model of a Human Torso has been designed and used to characterize HBC attenuation levels in a frequency range between 40 KHz and 20 MHz. This kind of approach will help to minimize animal trials for a more durable and optimized development.