Zarlink intros industry's lowest power, highest performance radio platform for wireless medical devices

OTTAWA, CANADA: Zarlink Semiconductor announced that global medical device manufacturers are designing its new ultra low-power wireless radio platform into a broad range of in-body communication systems.

Customers value Zarlink's ultra low-power radio technology, application support and quality expertise as they design wireless medical products supporting innovative monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic applications to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs.

The ZL70102 MICS (Medical Implant Communication Services) radio platform is being designed into approved applications, including pacemakers, ICDs (implantable cardiac defibrillators), associated programming and home monitoring equipment, and new devices such as cardiac monitors and neuromodulation systems.

Kirk Mandy, president and CEO, Zarlink Semiconductor, said: "The world's largest medical device manufacturers, as well as emerging companies introducing new technologies to the healthcare market, are deploying our ultra-low power radio platform in a wide range of applications and therapies that help improve patient care."

"Our new MICS radio platform strengthens our medical business, by expanding our long-term relationships with customers seeking products that meet the unique performance and standards requirements for in-body communication systems."

Third generation in-body wireless technology
Zarlink's third-generation ZL70102 MICS radio platform delivers enhanced wake-up sensitivity over previous solutions to support an extended wireless link between implanted devices and monitoring and programming equipment.

Zarlink's medical radio chips are the industry's only products designed exclusively to operate in the MICS 402-405 MHz frequency band.

Designed into wirelessly enabled pacemakers, Zarlink's radio chip routinely transmits patient health and device performance data to a home base station. Data is then forwarded to a physician's office. If a problem is detected, the physician schedules a follow-up visit and the two-way RF link is used to adjust device performance.

Zarlink's ultra low-power RF technology is also enabling a new range of diagnostics and therapies, including implanted devices used to monitor and treat diabetes, manage chronic pain or lessen the effects of Parkinson's disease.

During surgery to implant medical devices, the extended wireless operating range of the ZL70102 MICS radio solution allows programming equipment to be located outside the sterile operating field. This potentially shortens surgery times and reduces healthcare costs.

The ZL70102 delivers advanced performance to help conserve battery life for wirelessly enabled implanted medical devices. The ZL70102 operates in an extremely low current "sleep mode" until communication is initiated by the base station. When in full operation, the ZL70102 consumes just 5 mA (milliamps) of supply current.

Over a typical seven year operating life of an implanted medical device, the ZL70102 will consume the same amount of energy required to power a 40-watt light bulb for just 10 seconds.

"Our new ZL70102 radio platform solves key power and performance challenges for medical device manufacturers designing advanced in-body communication systems," said Steve Swift, senior VP and GM of Zarlink's Medical Products Group.

"Our expertise in developing high-performance, standards-compliant radio solutions that meet the unique quality standards for devices intended for human implant is helping our customers more easily incorporate wireless capabilities into existing and new devices and applications."