Implications of silicon monolithic RFICs for medical instrumentation and telemetry

Today, much of the focus regarding the use of radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) lies in the realm of audio, video and general data transmission for the consumer sector. Although medical applications are seldom mentioned in either the trade press or professional journals, they likewise represent some very challenging, beneficial, and potentially high-volume applications. This paper describes a variety of possible medical uses for RFIC-based sensor/transceivers, including the treatment and management of patients with cardiac abnormalities, seizure disorders, and diabetes, as well as touching on the areas of pediatric thermometry and sleep apnea. Discussion of the role of RF identification (RFID) tags in the hospital environment is also included, as well as a brief look at some of the practical, legal and economic considerations involved in the use of RF-based sensors.