Medical implant with wireless communication

An implant device for use within a body, the implant device comprising:

• a data source;
• and
• a non-self-resonant antenna for backscatter communications with an external communication system, the non-self-resonant antenna comprising at least two electrodes including two conductive patches that are arranged to be spaced apart when the implant device is in use;
• wherein the implant device is arranged to control backscattering properties of the non-self-resonant antenna in order to thereby transmit data from the data source to the external communication system;
• and
• wherein the implant device is arranged such that the backscattering properties of the non-self-resonant antenna are controlled by one or more electrical switches including an electrical switch that is arranged to change an impedance of the non-self-resonant antenna by switching between coupling the at least two electrodes via body tissue and coupling the at least two electrodes via a conductive pathway,
• wherein coupling the at least two electrodes via the body tissue generates a current distribution between the two electrodes inside the body tissue, the current distribution having a larger area than the physical size of the antenna and thereby acting as an extended virtual antenna, the implant device thereby being configured for data communication rates at tissue depths of at least 8 cm.