Optical wireless data transfer through skin for implantable biomedical electronics

Abstract

As the global population ages, the demand for implantable medical electronic devices for physiological monitoring and functional support continues to grow. In such systems, wireless data exchange is essential for device control and real-time physiological data acquisition. While coil-based methods are widely used, the method may pose challenges such as electromagnetic interference, or unwanted induced currents in diverse clinical environments. Here, we introduce a soft, flexible optical wireless communication system capable of reliable, real-time data exchange through biological tissues without the need for antenna coils. Microscale light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetector (PD), microfabricated and integrated into flexible platforms, enable wireless data transmission via light modulation through biological skin, in a relatively small form factor. In vivo experiments validate wireless bi-directional data transfer with integrated physiological sensors, demonstrating on-demand, real-time monitoring of signals such as electrocardiogram and body temperature. This approach offers a promising pathway toward safer, miniaturized wireless implantable electronics.