Review Of Medical Implant Communication System (MICS) Band And Network

Authors: Mohd Noor Islam, Mehmet R. Yuck

Abstract:

The Medical Implant Communication System (MICS) is a low-power, short-range (2 m), high-data-rate, 401–406 MHz (the core band is 402–405 MHz) communication network that has been accepted worldwide for transmitting data to support the diagnostic or therapeutic functions associated with medical implant devices. The frequency band is explored to design mobile and comfortable communication systems to support human life. This paper reviews the present situation of MICS devices and summarizes the technical requirements for successful MICS network implementation based on the recommendations published by different frequency management authorities around the world.

Keywords

Medical Implant Communication System (MICS); Implanted device; Body-worn device; Inductive link; Protocol

Citation: Mohd Noor Islam, Mehmet R. Yuck Review Of Medical Implant Communication System (Mics) Band And Network http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icte.2016.08.010

Received: 20 July 2016, Accepted: 20 August 2016, Available online: 6 September 2016

Copyright: © 2016 The Korean Institute of Communications Information Sciences. Publishing Services by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Conclusion and future challenges for MICS networks

This work presents a detailed overview of the MICS band and the restrictions imposed on its use. The present situation of MICS devices and several network issues are discussed. This document will help designers and researchers working in the areas of medical implanted communication and body-area sensor networks; it can provide a quick guideline to designing a safe and reliable medical implant communication system meeting the requirements of the MICS band and the MICS network.

Some challenges exist in the design of a successful MICS network. A low-power reliable MAC protocol to meet the rules and restrictions imposed on the use of the MICS band is essential for simultaneously collecting data from different implanted and body-worn devices. Small-size antenna designs and low-power transceiver designs with high data rates are needed. Moreover, these wireless devices are suggested to implement frequency monitoring capabilities, as specified by the FCC.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest in this paper.