Small Footprint Biocompatible Antenna for Implantable Devices: Design, In-Silico, In-Vitro and Ex-Vivo Testing

In this paper, a miniaturized skin implantable biocompatible microstrip antenna is proposed for biotelemetry applications at 2.4-2.48 GHz. The volume of the antenna is 42.68 mm(3) with dimensions 8.2 x 6.94 x 0.75 mm(3). Rogers RO Duroid 3010 of 0.25 mm thickness is used for designing the proposed biocompatible antenna. This material is also used as a superstrate to cover the antenna from both sides to provide safety to patients. Further, specific absorption rate (SAR) is analyzed and found 552 W/Kg and 73.2 W/Kg for 1 g- and 10 g-averaged tissue, respectively, at an operating frequency of 2.45 GHz, which makes it biocompatible. An appreciable volume factor of 9371.8 is achieved with a good percentage bandwidth of 16.1%. In-silico, in-vitro and ex-vivo testing is performed for the proper validation of the proposed antenna. The antenna is found to be functional at ISM band, which makes it best suitable for implantable devices.