Design and analysis of advanced microstrip patch antenna for endoscopic capsules

Abstract

A number of microstrip patch antennas are designed to function as wireless endoscopy capsules. Antennas are very crucial to these capsules which are used for inspection of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Wireless capsule endoscopy is one of the best options for exploring areas of the small intestine that are inaccessible. The microstrip patch antennas designed in this paper include: a square spiral slotted microstrip patch antenna for small bowel tumor detection, a small spiral patch antenna for high speed and high efficient endoscopic capsules and two low profile truncated pentagonal microstrip patch antennas for UWB range—all designed in FEKO software, and intended to function inside endoscopy capsules. Return loss characteristics, VSWR, impedance values, and specific absorption rate (SAR) computations are performed and analyzed for each antenna. SAR value is calculated in the skin and muscle of the phantom. All the designed antennas will fit into the endoscopic capsule of standard size of 11 mm in diameter and 26 mm in length. Finally, the best patch antenna which is found to work most effectively within the capsule is determined. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1762–1767, 2016