MEDICAL ELECTRONICS
patient monitoring, diagnostic processes, and effective therapy management across a broad spectrum of medical systems. This includes wearable and fitness tracking devices, implantable and in-body medical technologies, as well as platforms designed for remote monitoring and telemedicine applications.
These systems employ a variety of wireless protocols including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, Sub-GHz Internet of Things (IoT), Ultra-High Frequency RFID, Near Field Communication (NFC) and cellular systems such as LTE and 5G. Specialised medical telemetry bands such as the Medical Implant Communication Service (MICS) and MedRadio bands provide secure and reliable links for implanted medical devices, including pacemakers and insulin pumps. To achieve reliable and interference-free performance, medical devices integrate a complex set of RF front-end components and support electronics from chip antennas that transmit and receive RF wireless signals in the appropriate frequency range to baluns and matched baluns to simplify Bluetooth integration, and bandpass and low pass filters to improve signal coexistence and meet regulations.
The applications are diverse, extending across the full spectrum of medical use cases. Biomedical monitoring technologies, including electrocardiogram (ECG) systems and glucose monitoring devices, capture essential physiological metrics continuously and in real time. Through wireless transmission, this data is delivered to mobile devices, remote care platforms and hospital information systems, supporting ongoing surveillance and clinical assessment. Several wireless communication protocols support these functions. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enables low power, short range connections for wearable sensors. Wi-Fi enables high-speed data transmission and supports teleconsultations, while LTE and 5G operate over cellular networks. Implantable medical devices such as pacemakers, neurostimulators and implantable drug delivery systems also exchange data wirelessly. In many designs, an external intermediary is used. A wearable patch or handheld reader is typical. Data is then forwarded to clinical systems or cloud platforms.
Proprietary wireless networks operating in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands are commonly employed in robotic surgery systems, wireless endoscopic imaging platforms and instrument telemetry interfaces. These specialised networks are chosen when ultra-low latency or elevated data security is
required.
Wireless identification and tracking technologies are also present throughout clinical environments. Near Field Communication (NFC) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) are used in hospitals for patient identification, instrument tracking and management of mobile medical equipment. Wristbands and tagged devices are common examples.
No interference zones
With so many electronic systems operating at the same time within healthcare environments, electromagnetic interference becomes a concern as it can affect both device operation and data integrity. To reduce this risk, medical systems are designed to operate within defined frequency ranges and comply with applicable regulatory and performance requirements.
Within MRI systems and other sensitive medical equipment, for example, electromagnetic interference mitigation is addressed through filtering and impedance- matching networks. Low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass filters built from combinations of resistors, capacitors and inductors are used to control signal bandwidth and limit unwanted noise. Medical equipment operating in these environments is required to meet electromagnetic compatibility requirements defined under IEC 60601-1-2.
To meet the diverse requirements of medical applications, Johanson Technology offers EMI filters in a variety of configurations and form factors. Depending on the application, filters can employ differential-mode and common- mode elements, transient suppression and shielding techniques.
To support scalable production, expedited lead times, and ITAR compliance, Johanson Technology manufactures its High-Q and EMI filters in North America. However, all high- reliability testing is conducted in the United States, and every product is subjected to complete visual and electrical inspection, with full traceability maintained for every material lot.
Miniaturised components The accelerating evolution of medical technology is also driving electronic components toward increasing levels of miniaturisation. As devices become smaller and more compact, engineers must reduce the size of passive components—such as filters, capacitors and inductors—while preserving strict requirements for performance and long-term reliability.
Johanson offer Integrated Passive Components (IPCs) that are essentially electronic sub-systems that combine multiple discrete passive components into a single surface mounted device.
Energy efficiency is also a critical design factor for power-sensitive medical systems. Extended battery life is particularly vital for implantable devices, where battery replacement procedures are complex and invasive.
To meet this requirement, companies like Johanson offer Integrated Passive Components (IPCs) that are essentially electronic sub-systems that combine multiple discrete passive components into a single surface mounted device.
Manufactured using Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC) technology that allows the passive components to be layered “3-dimmensionally,” IPCs deliver the same functionality as 10-40 individual components, while dramatically reducing the board space required.
With this approach, the entire front-end between the RF chipset and the antenna can be manufactured in a single, ultra-low profile (0.35-1.0 mm total thickness) package that is less than 20 per cent the total size of the same circuit comprised of discrete components. IPCs also provide a high degree of reliability. Because they form a complete circuit within a compact LTCC package, they greatly reduce variability and eliminate many potential failure points found in assemblies using multiple discrete components. Combining matched elements into one integrated package further helps ensure consistent performance and facilitates compliance with FCC and ETSI regulatory standards.
As medical technology evolves toward more interconnected, compact and highly integrated systems, the operational expectations placed on electronic components will continue to increase. Selecting components engineered specifically for medical use enables manufacturers to mitigate risk, enhance long-term reliability, and streamline system integration.
JULY/AUGUST 2026 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS 35
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
