Wireless Wearables and Implants: A Dosimetry Review

Area of Science:

• Bioelectromagnetics
• Medical Devices
• Electromagnetic Safety

Background:

• Wireless wearable and implantable devices are increasingly prevalent, necessitating safety evaluations.
• These devices transmit electromagnetic waves, posing potential risks of tissue damage from high exposure levels.
• Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) quantifies exposure, with established regulations for safe operation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review dosimetric studies on wearable and implantable devices up to 2019.
• To analyze antenna designs concerning SAR, field, and thermal distributions.
• To identify and review designs that reduce SAR and discuss applied device considerations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of dosimetric studies up to 2019.
• Analysis of antenna designs for wearables and implants.
• Evaluation of SAR, field, and thermal distributions in biological tissues.

Main Results:

• Compilation of dosimetric studies relevant to wearable and implantable devices.
• Discussion of antenna designs and their impact on SAR values.
• Identification of strategies and designs aimed at reducing SAR.

Conclusions:

• This review is the first to focus specifically on the dosimetry of wearable and implantable devices.
• Understanding SAR is crucial for ensuring the safety of these rapidly growing technologies.
• Further research into SAR reduction techniques is vital for advancing device safety.