VLSI applications in implantable medical electronics

Compact, high-energy batteries and hermetic packages have made it possible to implant increasingly sophisticated electronic circuitry within the human body. CMOS, with its low standby current and mixed analog/digital signal capability, has revolutionized the field of implantable medical electronics. BiCMOS promises to regain the low noise and excellent drive capability of earlier bipolar processes. Rad-hard design techniques are utilized to protect medical devices from external electrical influences. In addition, it is suggested that improvements in future VLSI technologies, such as improved dynamic range, mixed low-voltage and high-voltage processes, low-voltage EEPROMs (electrically erasable programmable ROMs), and special processes for sensors, will lead to advances in implantable medical devices.<>