A technology that can solve wireless communication problems in human implantable medical devices has been developed by domestic researchers, and it is expected to not only establish itself as a standard technology for next-generation medical devices, but also contribute to strengthening global export competitiveness.

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) announced on the 20th that the research team led by Professor Lim Chun-taek of the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering has developed a dynamic beamforming communication technology that applies Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to implantable electronic drugs for the first time in Korea.

This innovative technology is expected to lead medical innovation by not only solving wireless communication problems in implantable medical devices such as the vagus nerve stimulator (VNS), but also enabling stable nerve stimulation transmission even when the patient's posture changes.

Existing implantable electronic pills have limitations in that the wireless signal is frequently cut off due to misalignment between the internal antenna and the transmitter in the hospital room whenever the patient moves.

To solve this problem, the research team expanded the application of BLE technology, which has proven stability in the industrial and home appliance fields, to the medical device field.

Dynamic beamforming technology was implemented by combining a small phased array antenna with a BLE module and digital phase control technology to automatically adjust the beam direction and intensity to maintain a constant reception sensitivity even when the patient moves.

In particular, this study presented an innovative design that simplifies the complex structure compared to existing ones with only one digital phase shifter based on the 2.45 GHz BLE frequency band.

This has led to significant improvements in the miniaturization and efficiency of medical devices, and has enabled real-time two-way communication while complying with electromagnetic safety regulations inside the human body.

Professor Lim Chun-taek emphasized the significance of the research results, saying, “This technology, which effectively applies BLE to implantable electronic drugs, will present a new standard for wireless nerve stimulation transmission.”

Through various experiments using gels that mimic human tissue and actual pig models, the research team demonstrated that the dynamic beamforming system ensures stable communication and neural stimulation transmission even inside the human body.

Professor Lim Chun-taek explained the significance of this research result, saying, “The global market for implantable electronic drugs is expected to reach approximately 35 trillion won by 2025, and the vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) market alone is worth approximately 1.4 trillion won, growing 11.4% annually.” He continued, “The technology developed this time can also contribute to enhancing the export competitiveness of our companies’ medical device industry in the future.”

GIST Professor Lim Chun-taek supervises and S. Ahson A. This study, in which Dr. Shah (first author), CEO Lee Hyeon-ung of Oceans Bio Co., Ltd. (second author), and researcher Jang Yu-rim (third author) participated, was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea.

It was also published in the June 2025 issue of 'Transactions on Industrial Informatics', an international academic journal published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).