WIRELESS MONITORING AND CONTROL FOR IMPLANTABLE ROTARY BLOOD PUMPS

A wireless biotelemetry system for the transfer of digital data throug h intact skin and tissue has been developed to provide a safe and noni nvasive means of communication between implanted medical devices and t he outside of the body. The system utilizes 2 miniature infrared trans mitter/receiver modules. Data are transmitted through intact skin and subcutaneous tissue on an 890 nm infrared carrier signal. The system h as been evaluated in human cadavers and during in vivo implantation of artificial hearts and ventricular assist devices for durations of up to 96 h. Acceptable data transfer (error rate <10(-5)) through a typic al tissue thickness of 5-25 mm has been demonstrated. The ability to m onitor and control a device from a remote site using public communicat ion systems such as telephone lines and asynchronous transfer mode (AT M) systems has also been demonstrated. Design optimization is currentl y ongoing in preparation for clinical utilization with artificial hear t systems and other implantable devices (such as rotary blood pumps).