A Layered Pork Model for Subdermal Antenna Tests at 433 MHz

Clinical or Biological Impact: Antennas for next generation implantable medical devices are likely to be distributed throughout the body, particularly in the near-surface subdermal regions, rather than tethered to the surface of the implantable device. A simple test bed for evaluating subdermal antennas during the design phase is needed. Objectives: The objectives of this paper are to create a simple biological test bed for subdermal implantable antennas that includes the normal expected variation of the tissues. Technology or Method: A layered model using pork products with skin, pork fat or lard, and pork loin or ground pork is used. Results: The ex vivo porcine tissues are similar to in vivo human tissues. Pork fat and loin have more variability than lard and ground pork but are more difficult in which to imbed subdermal antennas. This model provides an easy to use platform for testing subdermal antennas in the lab. This test bed was developed for 433 MHz: the industrial-scientific-medical band closest to the MedRadio band (402-405 MHz). Initial tests are demonstrated on a two-wire passive system for focusing power within the muscle region.