Modern hospitals and healthcare environments are increasingly wireless. From connected infusion pumps and patient monitors to tablets, wearables and wireless diagnostic tools, medical settings are brimming with devices operating on overlapping RF bands. While this wireless connectivity offers efficiency and convenience, it also introduces a significant technical challenge, RF coexistence.
Without the right design considerations, wireless medical devices can suffer from degraded signal quality, data errors or intermittent connectivity issues that can compromise both device performance and patient safety. In this article, we explore the common coexistence risks and the strategies engineers can use to overcome them.
Why coexistence matters in medical environments
Unlike consumer environments, where a dropped Bluetooth connection may be a minor frustration, in healthcare, connectivity issues can have critical implications. Devices must maintain reliable and uninterrupted connections, even in crowded RF environments.
- Real-time data transmission is vital: Monitors and wearables stream patient data to clinicians in real time. Packet loss or latency can delay alerts or cause misinterpretation.
- System coordination depends on communication: Many wireless systems work together, IV pumps, telemetry and nurse call systems may operate as part of integrated platforms.
- Certifications demand performance: Regulatory standards like IEC 60601-1-2 require medical devices to withstand certain levels of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and operate safely in proximity to other RF emitters.
The sources of RF interference in medical spaces
Medical environments are typically saturated with devices using overlapping bands.
- 2.4 GHz: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, medical telemetry systems.
- 5 GHz: Wi-Fi, some medical-grade HD video transmission systems.
- Sub-GHz: Proprietary telemetry, NB-IoT, and ISM band communications.
- Cellular (LTE-M, NB-IoT): For remote device connectivity and cloud integration.
- ISM and MICS: Dedicated frequency bands for a range of medical devices
Because many of these devices are operating simultaneously, even devices certified for wireless use can interfere with each other if their coexistence strategies are not well implemented.
Key strategies for reducing coexistence risks
RF interference is a real and persistent threat. To mitigate it, coexistence needs to be part of the product’s wireless design from day one.
Optimise antenna selection for medical environments
Choosing the right antenna is fundamental to achieving reliable performance in crowded RF settings. Medical devices benefit from high-efficiency antennas that maintain strong signal strength and stable connectivity despite interference from nearby systems. It’s essential that antennas are properly matched to the intended frequency band considering device components and PCB layout, enclosure, body proximity, as poor tuning can worsen performance and increase susceptibility to noise. Antennas designed specifically for compact, healthcare-grade devices will consistently deliver more robust and predictable results.
RF shielding and hardware filtering
Effective coexistence relies on antenna choice and protecting the rest of the RF chain. RF shielding around sensitive components helps block interference from nearby devices, whilst hardware filters, such as bandpass or notch filters, prevent unwanted signals from entering the system. These strategies collectively ensure cleaner signal reception and reduce the chance of data loss or degraded communication.
Frequency hopping and dynamic channel selection
Dynamic frequency management is essential in environments where multiple devices share the same spectrum. Technologies like Bluetooth use frequency hopping to avoid interference, whilst other systems can scan and select clearer channels automatically. These behaviours allow devices to adapt in real time, maintaining stable connections even as the RF environment changes.
Test coexistence early and often
The most effective way to ensure reliable operation in busy RF environments is to test for coexistence issues throughout the development process. Simulating real-world conditions, including other nearby wireless systems, reveals potential weaknesses in design and helps teams refine antenna placement, shielding, and signal handling before reaching the certification stage.
Build for coexistence with the right wireless partner
Reducing RF coexistence risks requires a system-level solution where all components are optimised to work together under pressure. At the centre of this system is a high-quality antenna that balances performance, form factor and efficiency.
At Antenova, we help healthcare device manufacturers integrate high-efficiency antennas that are built for dense RF environments. Our products are compact, easy to integrate, and engineered to perform reliably across a wide range of frequencies, even in hospitals filled with competing wireless signals.
If you're developing a connected medical device and need a solution that balances size, power, and RF resilience, download our guide to find out more about our innovative products.
