In Vitro Evaluation of a Protocol and an Architecture for Bidirectional Communications in Networks of Wireless Implants Powered by Volume Conduction

Wireless active implantable medical devices (AIMDs) can be an alternative for overcoming the drawbacks faced with superficial and percutaneous technologies. However, current AIMDs require bulky and rigid components for powering, hampering their miniaturization. AIMDs based on power transfer by volume conduction do not need these voluminous parts, allowing the development of thread-like devices that could be used for distributed stimulation and sensing of the neuromuscular system. In this paper, we present an in vitro evaluation of a protocol and an architecture for bidirectional communications in networks of injectable wireless implants powered and controlled by volume conduction. The wireless prototypes were successfully addressed from the external systems, and end-to-end bidirectional communication was performed at 256 kbps with a success rate of 87%.