Medical applications of microwave and radio frequency technology (1)

Over the years, the company has been a microwave devices such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, medical imaging application to provide devices.

Although the imaging application to provide a solid opportunity, but many other medical applications are starting to wireless microwave and RF technology opened its doors. For example, remote monitoring and support of the patients at home such as blood pressure, pulse and other health conditions to wirelessly sent to their doctor. Other innovations are helping hospital and medical center to track assets and people. In existing imaging market and wireless technologies are creating new opportunities in the medical industry has become a real new markets, many microwave and RF company as a target. Fortunately, many of these opportunities are only requires these companies to use them in the field of telecommunications and wireless LAN has expertise.

Such as MRI and other imaging devices use prevalence is increasing, the current global annual implementation of more than 6 million cases of MRI.

They are typically used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease (dementia), cancer cells and ligament tear, etc. all kinds of disease and injury. Imaging System using several RF/microwave devices, including the oscillator, the transmitter and antenna. For example, analog devices now offers an improved image resolution and 20-bit data converters (DAC) AD5791.

AD5791 real one millionth (ppm) of resolution and accuracy (Figure 1).

AD5791 have ± 1LSB DNL relative accuracy specification, ensure operational consistency. The DAC is only the low frequency noise, output drift 0.025ppm only 0.05ppm/C. Such a low noise reduces undesired image artifacts, reducing the need for nuclear magnetic resonance scan multiple times, so patients can get a shorter period of time. Output can be configured with a standard single-pole (+ 5V, + 10V) or bipolar (± 5V, ± 10 V) range. AD5791 of 3-wire serial interface operating clock rate as 50MHz.

Figure 1: ADI-chip DAC with high accuracy, can achieve a very clear picture of diagnostic imaging.

Spectroscopic applications is the RF/microwave technology in the medical field of another growth market, which is essentially through the light in the implementation of the chemical analysis of samples.

Recently, Agilent and University of Texas at Dallas announces plans to create a millimeter and Submillimeter Wave electronic characterization facility. The facility will initially support application for healthcare and security on the CMOS on 180 to 300GHz spectroscopy of feasibility study.

Hittite Microwave Corporation for a new comparator product line also lock the application spectrum.

The company stated that this 6 comparator has the following features: 20Gbps is rate, 150mW 120ps power, to the data of the clock output delay time (Figure 2). Typically, they have the minimum detectable 60ps of input pulse width, and rated only random jitter 0.2ps. The comparer support ± 1.75V common mode input voltage range, its typical over driving and slew rate deviation below the 10ps. HMC874LC3C, HMC875LC3C and HMC876LC3C chip comparators with programmable hysteresis characteristics of high-speed latch, they each provide low swing PECL, CML and ECL output drive.

Figure 2: Hittite Microwave Corporation comparer can meet the spectroscopic application requirements.

The company also publishes three have level latch input of new single-chip 10GHz comparer HMC674LC3C, HMC675LC3C and HMC676LC3C.

These three comparator supports 10GHz input bandwidth, both the transmission delay and 85ps 0.2psRMS random jitter by 60ps minimum pulse width. They have been driven by the 10ps and slew rate of deviation, the power consumption of less than 140mW. These devices have difference latched control and programmable hysteresis, can be configured to work in the latch mode or use as a tracing comparator. And the range of other devices, they provide low swing PECL, CML and ECL output drive.

Remote monitoring applications

In hospitals, clinics and homes, remote monitoring and control wireless network may be the most thriving medical market.

Remote monitoring of the most attractive features is that it can also be used to communicate with patients and provide education to patients. Of course, you need to send and receive information on the required equipment and network infrastructure have different needs. In Illinois, a clinical study that uses a remote monitoring to manage Gleevec this drug use. Gleevec is Novartis company developed and produced for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia drug. This study will assess a phone-based, called eMedonline personalized drug management system being used.