  Wearable, implantable, and ingestible antennas are continuously evolving in
biomedical applications, as they are crucial components in devices used for
monitoring and controlling physiological parameters. This work presents an
experimentally validated wearable pad which can improve transmission of
electromagnetic waves into the human body. This metamaterial-inspired matching
pad, which is based on small metallic loops encased in a thin dielectric layer,
is mechanically stable, flexible, and passive. As such, the pad can serve as a
coupling medium for microwave medical systems and implantable device
communication. Operating in the 2.4-2.5 GHz range, the pad demonstrates
significant improvement in signal penetration levels (and, hence, depth) into a
biological tissue. The study presents design methodology, simulation studies,
in-lab development, and experimental characterization of this pad, which can
offer a practical solution for enhanced communication and functionality in
various medical diagnostic systems.
