Optimization of an implantable volume conduction antenna

As implantable devices become increasingly sophisticated, there is a strong need for developing a wireless data communication channel between these devices and external computers. This important problem has been studied and an antenna is being designed based on the volume conduction of biological tissues. Closed-form equation and finite element analyses were performed for the case of brain implantation using a spherical volume conduction model of the head. Finite element proofs of concept in 2D and 3D demonstrated the influence of epoxy and a volume conductor reflector on volume currents, exhibiting changes in the far field as controlled by the near field. A 3D finite element analysis showed an increased signal transduction of 35% as compared to the 3D analytical analysis, which was not able to simulate the epoxy. The optimum angle of inclination is shallower than what was intuitively thought, indicating that the antenna elements destructively interfere with the generated surface voltages, requiring the antenna elements to be rotated away from each other.