Bioelectromagnetic Modelling of Tissue Implanted Radio Transmitters

A lecture by Dr. William Scanlon

Centre for Communications Engineering

School of Electrical & Mechanical Engineering

University of Ulster at Jordanstown

Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland


Research Interests: Dr. Scanlon is Director of the Centre for Communications Engineering at the University of Ulster (www.ether.ulst.ac.uk). His current research interests include bioelectromagnetics, antennas, radiowave propagation, wireless networks, and RF electronics. He has particular expertise in the area of tissue-implanted and surface-mounted antennas and devices for personal communications or medical and biological telemetry. Dr Scanlon also conducts independent research and provides consultancy in the area of biological and health effects of radiofrequency radiation.
The Lecture: Body-implanted radio devices are being employed in a range of new medical device applications, some operate at UHF, taking advantage of greater bandwidth, more efficient antennas and lower levels of electromagnetic noise. Recently there has been global agreement on the use of the 402 - 405 MHz band for ultra low power (25 mW radiated power) medical implant use. The widespread use of implanted UHF-radio sources does, however, present a new problem in bioelectromagnetics — the study of the interaction of electromagnetic fields with biological tissue. Using key examples, this lecture will describe the measurement and modelling of body-implanted radio sources. Issues such as health and safety concerns and how to improve radiative efficiency will also be discussed. The lecture will be of interest to academic staff, postgraduates and undergraduates in the area of applied physics, electronic engineering and biomedical engineering.