Simulating, Modeling, and Sensing Variable Tissues for Wireless Implantable Medical Devices

• Published in: IEEE transactions on microwave theory and techniques Vol. 66; no. 7; pp. 3547 - 3556
• Main Authors: Bocan, Kara N., Mickle, Marlin H., Sejdic, Ervin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.07.2018; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Antenna measurements; Antennas; Change detection; Computer simulation; Conductivity; Dielectric measurement; Dielectrics; Dipole antennas; Electronic implants; Energy absorption; Environment models; Frequency analysis; Frequency measurement; Implantable medical devices; Input impedance; Medical devices; Medical electronics; Medical equipment; Phantoms; Power transfer; Properties (attributes); Sensitivity analysis; tissue dielectric properties; tissue phantoms; Topology; Wireless communications; wireless power transfer
• ISSN: 0018-9480; 1557-9670
• DOI: 10.1109/TMTT.2018.2811497

Wirelessly powered implantable medical devices require efficient power transfer through biological tissue within safety constraints on energy absorption, often in the presence of environmental variability. Accurate modeling of the tissue medium is essential to evaluate the performance and sensitivity of transcutaneous powering systems. Here, we investigate loop and dipole antenna topologies in proximity to simulated tissue models and experimental phantoms, with emphasis on representing heterogeneous tissue with functionally equivalent simplified models, and modeling variability in tissue properties for sensitivity analyses. We first present a modified phantom formulation that provides greater control over frequency-dependent properties. We then show that homogeneous phantoms have limited use at representing input impedance and energy absorption at ultrahigh operating frequency by analyzing each antenna topology in proximity to layered or homogeneous tissue across frequency. We compare loop and dipole antenna topologies in terms of specific absorption rate and impedance, and show that frequency-dependent tissue behavior must be considered even at fixed operating frequencies. Finally, we discuss the dual utility of a transmitting antenna as a resonator to detect changes in tissue properties in addition to powering an implanted device.