2nd International ICST Conference on Body Area Networks

Research Article

A Miniaturized Tunable Microstrip Antenna for Wireless Communications with Implanted Medical Devices

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/bodynets.2007.145,
        author={Daniel Rucker and Ameer Al-Alawi and Rami Adada and Hussain M. Al-Rizzo},
        title={A Miniaturized Tunable Microstrip Antenna for Wireless Communications with Implanted Medical Devices},
        proceedings={2nd International ICST Conference on Body Area Networks},
        publisher={ICST},
        proceedings_a={BODYNETS},
        year={2007},
        month={6},
        keywords={Finite Element method Finite Difference Time Domain Medical Implants Microstrip Antenna MICS band HFSS Microwave Studio.},
        doi={10.4108/bodynets.2007.145}
    }
    
  • Daniel Rucker
    Ameer Al-Alawi
    Rami Adada
    Hussain M. Al-Rizzo
    Year: 2007
    A Miniaturized Tunable Microstrip Antenna for Wireless Communications with Implanted Medical Devices
    BODYNETS
    ICST
    DOI: 10.4108/bodynets.2007.145
Daniel Rucker1,*, Ameer Al-Alawi1,*, Rami Adada1,*, Hussain M. Al-Rizzo2,*
  • 1: Department of Systems Engineering University of Arkansas at Little Rock 2801 South University Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204, USA Phone: 1-501-683-7103
  • 2: Department of Systems Engineering University of Arkansas at Little Rock 2801 South University Avenue Little Rock, Arkansas, 72204, USA Phone: 1-501- 371-7615
*Contact email: dxrucker@ualr.edu, asalalawi@ualr.edu, rxadada@ualr.edu, hmalrizzo@ualr.edu

Abstract

In this paper, a miniaturized microstrip antenna design is presented for establishing wireless communications with implantable medical devices in the 402--405 MHz Medical Implant Communications Services (MICS). The Ansoft's High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS) and CST Microwave Studio were used to evaluate the antenna design. HFSS is based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) and Microwave Studio is based on the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) technique. The results from both simulations are compared to validate results obtained from the two software packages. A varactor diode is added to allow tuning of the antenna. Size reduction techniques such as meandering, addition of a shorting pin, and the introduction of a capacitive plate were investigated to make the antenna size suitable for use with medical implants.