RFID Technology for Biomedical Applications: State of Art and Future Developments

In this paper some of the possible applications in the biomedical field of the RFID technology are presented, giving an idea of the wide range of advantages that RFID devices are able to provide. In particular we examine those aspects of RFID technology, which make possible the realization of miniaturized devices, implantable in the human body and powered from the outside, and can monitor the biological functions of individuals or even enable the therapy of diseases. Moreover we discuss about some aspects that need to be improved in the future research work such as the biocompatibility of the material for the implantable devices, the long-term exposure of the human body to electromagnetic fields, the interference caused by surrounding metallic parts, the attenuation of RF signals at particularly high frequency values and the implementation of a safe communication channel in order to guarantee the privacy of the individual.