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Zarlink Shipping Radio Chip for In-Body Communications
 TMCnet Contributing Editor
Zarlink Semiconductor ( News - Alert) Inc. today said that it is shipping production quantities of its ZL70101-based radio module to St. Jude Medical, a developer of medical technologies and services that treat cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients worldwide.
“Zarlink’s innovative MICS technology is helping St. Jude Medical design new medical devices that can improve patient care today,” said Dr. Eric S. Fain, president of the St. Jude Medical Cardiac Rhythm Management Division. “We have been working closely with Zarlink throughout the development of its MICS radio chip and module. We anticipate building on our relationship as we refine this technology and develop more advanced products treating a wider range of patient conditions.”
Company officials say that Zarlink has now shipped more than 30,000 modules, incorporating the ZL70101 radio system-on-a-chip, to St. Jude Medical.
The ZL70101 system-on-a-chip provides high data rates, ultra-low power consumption and has wake-up circuitry, according to the company. It gives wireless performance in medical devices that support advanced monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic applications, which can also help in improving patient care and lower healthcare costs, company officials say.
“The ZL70101 radio chip for in-body communications is innovative technology that solves key performance challenges for St. Jude Medical and other manufacturers in this growing area of medical telemetry,” said Steve Swift ( News - Alert) of Zarlink’s medical communications product group. “The ZL70101 was designed and optimized for use in both implanted medical devices and external instruments, including patient home monitors that will provide the ability to monitor patients outside the clinical setting.”
St. Jude Medical uses a custom MICS radio frequency module that has Zarlink’s ZL70101 in its advanced cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator and implantable cardioverter defibrillator platform of products.
Zarlink’s wireless technology ensures secure, remote communication between the implanted device and programming equipment in a clinician’s office or hospital, company officials say. Wireless communication during the implant procedure and during follow-up visits with the physician, allows for more convenient patient care and device management.
Zarlink’s wireless technology ensures secure, remote communication between the implanted device and programming equipment in a clinician’s office or hospital. Wireless communication during the implant procedure and during follow-up visits with the physician, allows for more convenient patient care and device management.
“St. Jude Medical extends congratulations to Zarlink on winning the prestigious EE Times ACE RF/Microwave Product of the Year award for its ZL70101 MICS transceiver radio chip,” Fain added. “This is a confirmation of the broad industry recognition Zarlink’s medical technologies are receiving.”
Arun Satapathy is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Arun’s articles, please visit his columnist page.
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