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System and method for intra-body communication

a communication system and intra-body technology, applied in the field of body area networks, can solve the problems limited penetration depth of devices operating in the ultrasound range into hard connective tissues such as bones, and inability to reliably propagate acoustic waves across multiple bones, etc., to achieve the effect of low data transfer rate and reliable acoustic wave propagation across multiple bones

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-12-02
LIEBSCHNER MICHAEL +3
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]In one embodiment, a system for intra-body communication in a mammal comprises a mechanical signal generator coupled to the body of the mammal. The system also comprises a receiver capable of detecting a mechanical signal (e.g., low frequency signal) generated from said mechanical signal generator. The method further comprises transmitting data in a modulated format. The intra-body communication can be further extended through physical contact to another individual, for example but not limited to through a handshake.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, these devices operate in the ultrasound range with very limited penetration depth into hard connective tissues such as bones.
Reliable acoustic wave propagation across multiple bones, however, can only be achieved in the low-frequency range, typically around the resonance frequency of the tissue.
The downside is the lower data transfer rate compared to high frequency techniques if serial data communication is applied.
However existing techniques suffer from an extremely limited range, due to the low and uneven electrical conductivity of the human body.
However, none of them considered the use of musculoskeletal conduction for body-area communication and interfacing.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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example 1

[0045]A reaction-type low-power electromagnetic shaker was built to generate mechanical signals through dynamic forces. This type of shaker offers a lightweight and compact configuration, ideal for miniaturization. In addition, such shakers are designed for operation over a very wide range of frequencies. Bone-conduction was detected using accelerometers with coupled amplifiers. An ultra low-power MEMS based three-axis accelerometer from Kionix was held against the receiving body location as the receiver. A LabVIEW program controlled the entire system. Binary input sequences were modulated into different frequencies to drive the electromagnetic shaker. The same program received the signal from the accelerometers and demodulated the signal. The received bit sequence was then compared to the input sequence to calculate accuracy. In a first testing series, human subjects were exposed to a localized low-frequency excitation signal pattern at the wrist and receivers were placed at the lo...

example 2

Portable Receiver

[0050]An ultra-low power receiver was built in the form factor of a wrist-watch, which is shown in FIG. 5. It employed the same ultra-low power three-axis accelerometer used in Example 1 and an ultra-low power microcontroller (MSP430) from Texas Instruments. The active power consumption during receiving was below 5 mW. The device is capable of activating sequences and programs after minimal wrist flicking. In addition, the current version allows Bluetooth communication with cell phones for data communication outside the proposed system. In embodiments, the wristwatch functions as base station and communication link to other body worn devices and external mobile systems.

example 3

Teeth Clicking

[0051]The bone-conduction signal of teeth clicks is characterized by high energy in spectrum above 2000 Hz, but low energy below it. FIG. 6 shows the time-spectrum of the bone conduction signal of several teeth clicks. The spectrum of the bone-conduction signal of speech, as shown in FIG. 7, is almost the opposite. It is characterized by high energy in spectrum below 2000 Hz, but low energy above it. This dramatic difference is introduced because the skin and skull inherently are a much lower low-pass filters to acoustic signals than the bone tissue due to vibration incurred by teeth clicks. This forms the basis for our algorithm to detect teeth clicks.

[0052]For low-power and real-time implementation, an algorithm was designed based on the property of the bone-conduction signal. The algorithm examined the energy densities in the lower and higher spectral ranges of the bone-conduction signal. High energy density in the lower spectral range indicated the existence of spe...

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Abstract

A method comprising generating a mechanical signal in a mammal, the mechanical signal having a frequency no more than 50,000 Hz, transmitting the mechanical signal through the musculoskeletal system in the mammal, and sensing the mechanical signal from the musculoskeletal system. A method of triggering an internal event comprising generating a mechanical signal internal or external to a mammal, transmitting the signal through the musculoskeletal system of the mammal, detecting the mechanical signal, and triggering an event in response to the mechanical signal. A method of drug delivery comprising generating a mechanical signal internal or external to a mammal, transmitting the signal through the musculoskeletal system of the mammal, detecting the mechanical signal, and delivering the drug in response to the mechanical signal.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to the field of body area networks, in particular intra-body communication. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method of intra-body communication using the musculoskeletal system of a mammal.[0003]2. Background of the Invention[0004]Acoustic sound wave propagation through bone tissue is a widely-used technique in evaluating bone mechanical properties, specifically predicting bone elastic properties through speed-of-sound measurements. This is particularly critical for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of osteoporosis as well as assessing the extent of fracture healing in long bones and monitoring drug treatment. Such systems measure speed of sound and / or broadband attenuation coefficient and correlate these parameters to bone properties. Nevertheless, these devices operate in the ultrasound range with very limited penetration depth into hard connective tissues such as bones....

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A61B8/00A61N1/08
CPCA61B5/0002A61B5/0008A61B5/0028A61B5/02438A61B5/145A61B5/14532A61B5/0051A61B5/4509A61B5/4514A61B5/4519A61B5/4528A61B5/4533A61B5/4839A61B5/4504H04B13/005
Inventor LIEBSCHNER, MICHAELZHONG, LINZHANG, MIMI W.CORDRAY, MICHAEL S.
Owner LIEBSCHNER MICHAEL
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