Wireless Transceiver Chip Designed for In-Body Communications Devices

May 31, 2005

This announcement just caught my eye:

Zarlink Introduces World's First Wireless Chip Designed Specifically for In-Body Communication Systems

Designed for implanted medical devices, Zarlink's ZL70100 is a low-power RF�transceiver chip that allows data communications over a two-meter range, far enough to allow wireless communications between an in-body device and a base station for patient health monitoring.

Today's release provides some suggested applications for the technology:

"... an ultra low-power RF transceiver in a pacemaker can wirelessly send patient health and device performance data to a bedside base station in the home. Data is then forwarded over the telephone or Internet to a physician's office, and if a problem is detected the patient goes to the hospital where the high-speed two-way RF link can be used to easily monitor and adjust device performance."

"During surgery, a physician can use the higher data rates and longer communication range afforded by MICS technology to program the performance of an implanted device outside of the sterile surgical environment."

"The higher data rate and extended communication range of our radio transceiver enables advanced in-body communication systems, such as implanted blood glucose sensors controlling insulin intake for diabetes patients, networked stimulators restoring lost limb function or pacemakers using the high-speed wireless link to signal emergency response during a cardiac event." (Here quoting Steve Swift, senior vice president and general manager, Ultra Low-Power Communications, Zarlink Semiconductor.)

Zarlink's product data sheet suggests that this chip might be used in pacemakers, ICD’s, cochlea implants, neurostimulators, implantable insulin pumps and�bladder control devices.

Bladder control devices? That last item rather sparked my imagination and encouraged me to delve deeper into the product literature. If there's a possibility that someday this chip might be used inside me as part of a bladder control device, I would be very curious to know its dimensions. Unfortunately, Zarlink's product literature does not include this essential detail. What is Zarlink trying to hide, the inquiring mind wants to know?

Anyway, perhaps you will get some idea of the nature of this component from the following photo: