Investigation of novel microstrip antennas for an implantable retinal prosthesis

In this paper, we investigate compact microstrip antennas as a data-telemetry transmitting and implantable receiving antenna in a dual-unit retinal prosthesis. Compact triangular microstrip antenna is explored in an effort to enhance intraocular element bandwidth at microwave frequency 2.45 GHz. The performance of intraocular and extraocular antennas were simulated and further examined by fabricating and characterizing the performance in a transmit/receive system inside eye phantoms. Detailed analysis of the design issues of the antennas, results of the simulation and experimental coupling measurements are presented.