Microtelemetry--the use of integrated circuits in biotelemetry

Integrated circuits are now in widespread use in such equipment as computers and consumer electronics, where their low cost, high reliability and small size are their principal advantages. In biotelemetry, small size is of particular importance. Here the use of integrated circuits allows systems of considerable complexity to be produced with high reliability in small packages. Commercial integrated circuits with the low power consumption and low voltage operation needed for biotelemetry are now becoming available; some such applications are briefly reviewed. In addition, examples of the use of custom integrated circuits in biotelemetry, and of the use of integrated circuit technology to build unique transducers and assemblies, are described.