High frequency transcutaneous transmission using stents configured as a dipole radiator for cardiovascular implantable devices

In this work we explore the use of stents as radiating structures to support transcutaneous wireless telemetry. Stents are well established Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved structures with a matured surgical delivery technique. Incorporating stents with a miniature implantable sensory device allows for internal monitoring of nearly any location within the cardiovascular system. We assembled an implantable stent-based transmitter by integrating a 2.4 GHz wireless transmitter, battery, and two stents configured as a dipole radiator. The radiative properties of the dipole stents was quantified through free space, ex vivo experiments on excised tissue, and in vivo studies on porcine subjects. The in vivo results from various receive distances (10 cm to 1 m) showed a 33–35 dB power reduction while implanted at a 3.5 cm depth within the chest. This validates the ability of using stents to wirelessly transmit data from deep within a living body.