Multidisciplinary investigations on the use of TiNb alloy orthopedic device equipped with low profile antenna as smart sensor

In this paper, a new complex medical device is proposed using TiNb based metallic alloy, acting also as a ground plane for a low profile printed antenna sited on a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. The first step of the research is oriented on the experimental study of the properties of TiNb based alloy and on the development of the orthopedic device. The second step is focalized on the electromagnetic characterization of the implanted printed antennas. The resulting smart orthopedic device incorporating the antenna and when embedded in a body environment is numerically analyzed from communication point of view. In particular, the radiation characteristics, necessary for the calculation of the link budget when the device is used for communication with the external to the body receiver is considered. Such scenario finds its applications in monitoring some vital human functions for example in post chirurgical rehabilitation or other long-term surveys.