An arrangement for the transmission of signals in a mammal body

Abstract

An arrangement (100a-d) for the transmission of signals in a mammal body (200). The arrangement (100a-d) comprises one or more first devices (102) for producing Zenneck waves (103) to propagate in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) for the transmission of one or more first signals to one or more second devices (104). The one or more second devices (104) is / are configured to receive the Zenneck waves (103) produced by the one or more first devices and propagated in adipose tissue (202). A device (102; 104) for the transmission of one or more signals in a mammal body (200). The device (102; 104) comprises one or more transceivers and one or more antennas for producing Zenneck waves (103) to propagate in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) and for receiving Zenneck waves (103) for the transmission of the one or more signals in the mammal body (200).

Description

[0001] AN ARRANGEMENT FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF SIGNALS IN A MAMMAL BODY

[0002] Technical field

[0003] Aspects of the present invention relate to an arrangement and to a device for the transmission of signals in a mammal body, such as a human body. Aspects of the present invention relate to a method for transmitting signals in a mammal body.

[0004] Background

[0005] There are conventional solutions for the transmission of signals, such as data, in a human body. For example, signals may be transmitted through a human body for diagnostic purposes or medical treatment. For example, signals may be transmitted from implants, such as pacemakers or other medical devices, through the human body, the implants being implanted in the human body.

[0006] Summary

[0007] The inventor of the present invention has found drawbacks in conventional solutions for the transmission of signals in human bodies. For example, some conventional solutions for the transmission of signals in human bodies are not sufficiently efficient. For example, some conventional solutions are too complex and / or bulky. For example, some conventional solutions are not sufficiently secure.

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a solution which mitigates or solves drawbacks and problems of conventional solutions.

[0009] The above and further objects are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objects are achieved with an arrangement for the transmission of signals in a mammal body (for example, a human body, or the body of any other mammal), wherein the arrangement comprises one or more first devices for producing Zenneck waves to propagate in adipose tissue (or fatty tissue) of the mammal body for the transmission of one or more first signals to one or more second devices of the arrangement, wherein the one or more second devices is / are configured to receive the Zenneck waves produced by the one or more first devices and propagated in adipose tissue of the mammal body.

[0011] The inventor of the present invention has found that the Zenneck wave is efficient for the transmission of signals in adipose tissue of a mammal body, or more specifically, along the boundary interface between adipose tissue of the mammal body and one of skin and muscle tissue of the mammal body.

[0012] An advantage of the arrangement according to the first aspect is an improved transmission of signals in, or through, a mammal body. An advantage of the arrangement according to the first aspect is a more efficient transmission of signals in a mammal body in relation to conventional solutions. An advantage of the arrangement according to the first aspect is a more flexible and / or adaptable transmission of signals in a mammal body in relation to conventional solutions, for example adaptable to different applications. An advantage of the arrangement according to the first aspect is an improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through, or via, the mammal body. An advantage of the arrangement according to the first aspect is a less complex transmission of signals in, or through, a mammal body in relation to conventional solutions. An advantage of the arrangement according to the first aspect is a more secure transmission of signals in, or through, a mammal body in relation to conventional solutions. An advantage of the arrangement according to the first aspect is the possibility of sending signals around the mammal body, such as inside the mammal body, without sending the signals through air. For example, it is possible to send signals from one device, or antenna, placed on front of the chest of the mammal body to another device, or antenna, placed on the back of the mammal body. This is not possible with conventional solutions without sending signals via air, which may be unsecure, since the signals may be picked up by unauthorized parties. For some embodiments, it may be defined that the first device is configured to generate or excite Zenneck waves to propagate in adipose tissue.

[0013] For some embodiments, the signals transmitted may be data / information. For example to or from a medical device or a prosthesis. For some embodiments, the signals transmitted may be energy for the electrical energy supply to, or powering / energizing of, the first or second device, such as a medical device or a prosthesis. For some embodiments, the signals transmitted may be a combination thereof.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, one or more of the first and second devices is / are configured to be implanted, and / or is / are implantable, in the mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is an improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device implanted in a mammal body.

[0015] According to another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, one or more of the first and second devices is / are configured to be applied (and / or is / are applicable) to the skin of the mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is an improved transmission of signals to or from the mammal body. For some embodiments, the first and second devices are configured to be implanted (or each one of the first and second devices is configured to be implanted) in the mammal body. For some embodiments, the first and second devices are configured to be applied to the skin of the mammal body (or each one of the first and second devices is configured to be applied to the skin of the mammal body). For some embodiments, one or more of the first and second devices is / are configured to be implanted in the mammal body while another one or more of the first and second devices is / are configured to be applied to the skin of the mammal body. For some embodiments, one or more of the first and second devices of a first group is / are configured to be implanted in the mammal body while one or more of the first and second devices of a second group is / are configured to be applied to the skin of the mammal body. According to a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, the one or more second devices is / are configured to receive the one or more first signals.

[0016] According to another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, the one or more second devices is / are configured to produce Zenneck waves to propagate in adipose tissue of the mammal body for the transmission of one or more second signals to the one or more first devices, wherein the one or more first devices is / are configured to receive the Zenneck waves produced by the one or more second devices and propagated in adipose tissue of the mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals in, or through, a mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body, since a two-way communication between the first and second devices is provided.

[0017] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, the one or more first devices is / are configured to receive the one or more second signals.

[0018] According to still another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, one or more of the first and second devices comprises / comprise one or more antennas. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals in a mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, the antenna comprises an electrically conductive outer annular element (or outer annular electrical conductor), and the antenna comprises an electrically conductive inner annular element (or inner annular electrical conductor) surrounded by the outer annular element, wherein one of the outer and inner annular elements is configured as the radiating (transmitting) and receiving element of the antenna. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals in a mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body.

[0020] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, the antenna comprises a U-shaped member (or the antenna is U-shaped), wherein the U-shaped member (or the U-shaped antenna) comprises one or more electrically conductive elements comprising the radiating (transmitting) and receiving element of the antenna. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals in a mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body.

[0021] According to another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, one or more of the first and second devices comprises / comprise one or more of the group of:

[0022] • a transmitter;

[0023] • a receiver; and

[0024] • a transceiver.

[0025] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, one or more of the first and second signals conveys / convey one or more of the group of:

[0026] • data; and

[0027] • energy for the electrical energy supply to one or more of the first and second devices.

[0028] An advantage of this embodiment is an improved transmission of data and / or information in a mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is an improved transmission of data and / or information to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is an improved transmission of energy in a mammal body, for the electrical energy supply to a medical device. An advantage of this embodiment is an improved powering / energizing of a medical device implanted in the mammal body. According to another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, one or more of the first and second devices is / are configured to produce a Zenneck wave incident at the complex Brewster’s angle onto a boundary interface between adipose tissue of the mammal body and another tissue of the mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals in a mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body.

[0029] According to still another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, one or more of the first and second devices is / are configured to produce a Zenneck wave incident at the complex Brewster’s angle onto a boundary interface between adipose tissue of the mammal body and one of skin and muscle tissue of the mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals in a mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, one or more of the first and second devices comprises / comprise one or more of the group of:

[0031] • a sensor;

[0032] • a medical device;

[0033] • an implant;

[0034] • a brain implant;

[0035] • a neural implant;

[0036] • a dental implant,

[0037] • an orthopedic implant;

[0038] • a prosthetic implant;

[0039] • a retinal implant;

[0040] • a subdermal implant;

[0041] • an artificial cardiac pacemaker; • an artificial heart,

[0042] • an artificial heart valve;

[0043] • a controller;

[0044] • a processor; and

[0045] • a prosthesis.

[0046] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, one or more of the first and second devices is / are configured to encrypt one or more of the first and second signals before being conveyed as one or more Zenneck waves, wherein one or more of the first and second devices is / are configured to decrypt one or more of the encrypted first and second signals. An advantage of this embodiment is an even more secure transmission of signals in, or through, a mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals in a mammal body, since a secure communication is provided. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body, since a secure communication is provided.

[0047] According to another advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect, the one or more first devices is / are configured to produce Zenneck waves to propagate along a boundary interface between adipose tissue of the mammal body and another tissue of the mammal body for the transmission of one or more first signals to the one or more second devices, wherein the one or more second devices is / are configured to receive the Zenneck waves produced by the one or more first devices and at least partly propagated along the boundary interface between adipose tissue of the mammal body and another tissue of the mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals in a mammal body. An advantage of this embodiment is a further improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body.

[0048] According to a second aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objects are achieved with a device for the transmission of one or more signals in a mammal body (for example, a human body, or the body of any other mammal), wherein the device comprises one or more transceivers and one or more antennas for producing Zenneck waves to propagate in adipose tissue (or fatty tissue) of the mammal body and for receiving Zenneck waves propagated in adipose tissue of the mammal body for the transmission of the one or more signals in the mammal body.

[0049] An advantage of the device according to the second aspect is an improved transmission of signals in a mammal body. An advantage of the device according to the second aspect is a more efficient transmission of signals in a mammal body in relation to conventional solutions. An advantage of the device according to the second aspect is a more flexible and / or adaptable transmission of signals in a mammal body in relation to conventional solutions, for example adaptable to different applications. An advantage of the device according to the second aspect is an improved transmission of signals to or from a medical device or a prosthesis through the mammal body. Otherwise, advantages of embodiments of the device according to the second aspect correspond to advantages of embodiments of the arrangement according to the first aspect.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the one or more transceivers and the one or more antennas of the device are configured to be implanted, and / or are implantable, in the mammal body.

[0051] According to another advantageous embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the one or more transceivers and the one or more antennas of the device are configured to be applied (and / or are applicable) to the skin of the mammal body.

[0052] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the antenna comprises an electrically conductive outer annular element, and the antenna comprises an electrically conductive inner annular element surrounded by the outer annular element, wherein one of the outer and inner annular elements is configured as the radiating (or transmitting) and receiving element of the antenna. According to another advantageous embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the antenna comprises a U-shaped member, wherein the U-shaped member comprises one or more electrically conductive elements comprising the radiating (or transmitting) and receiving element of the antenna.

[0053] According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the device according to the second aspect, the one or more transceivers and the one or more antennas are configured to produce Zenneck waves to propagate along a boundary interface between adipose tissue of the mammal body and another tissue of the mammal body and receive Zenneck waves at least partly propagated along the boundary interface between adipose tissue of the mammal body and another tissue of the mammal body for the transmission of the one or more signals in the mammal body.

[0054] The above-mentioned features and embodiments of the arrangement and of the device may be combined in various possible ways providing further advantageous embodiments.

[0055] According to a third aspect of the invention, the above mentioned and other objects are achieved with a method for transmitting signals in a mammal body (for example, a human body, or the body of any other mammal), wherein the method comprises: producing, by usage of one or more first devices, Zenneck waves propagating in adipose tissue (or fatty tissue) of the mammal body for the transmission of one or more first signals to one or more second devices; and receiving, at and by usage of the one or more second devices, the Zenneck waves produced by usage of the one or more first devices and propagated in adipose tissue of the mammal body.

[0056] Advantages of embodiments of the method according to the third aspect correspond to advantages of embodiments of the arrangement according to the first aspect.

[0057] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the third aspect, the method further comprises: producing, by usage of one or more first devices, Zenneck waves propagating along a boundary interface between adipose tissue of the mammal body and another tissue of the mammal body for the transmission of one or more first signals to the one or more second devices; and receiving, at and by usage of the one or more second devices , the Zenneck waves produced by usage of the one or more first devices and at least partly propagated along the boundary interface between adipose tissue of the mammal body and another tissue of the mammal body.

[0058] Further advantageous embodiments of the arrangement according to the first aspect, of the device according to the second aspect and of the method according to the third aspect of the invention and further advantages with the embodiments of the present invention emerge from the detailed description of embodiments.

[0059] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0060] Embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated, for exemplary purposes, in more detail by way of embodiments and with reference to the enclosed drawings, where similar references are used for similar parts, in which:

[0061] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a mammal body, in the form of a human body, to which an embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect and embodiments of the device according to the second aspect of the invention and are applied;

[0062] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect;

[0063] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a mammal body, in the form of a human body, to which embodiments of the device according to the second aspect of the invention and an embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect are applied;

[0064] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a mammal body, in the form of a human body, to which embodiments of the device according to the second aspect of the invention and an embodiment of the arrangement according to the first aspect are applied; Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of a part of a mammal body, in the form of a human body, to which an embodiment of the device according to the second aspect is applied;

[0065] Figure 6 is a schematic front view illustrating an embodiment of the device according to the second aspect;

[0066] Figure 7 is a schematic side view illustrating another embodiment of the device according to the second aspect;

[0067] Figure 8 is a schematic front view illustrating yet another embodiment of the device according to the second aspect;

[0068] Figure 9 is a schematic flow chart illustrating aspects of embodiments of the method according to the third aspect of the invention; and

[0069] Figure 10 is another schematic flow chart illustrating further aspects of embodiments of the method according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0070] Detailed Description

[0071] With reference to figures 1 to 8, embodiments of the arrangement 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d for the transmission of signals in, or through, a mammal body 200, such as in a human body, according to the first aspect of the invention and embodiments of the device 102; 104 for the transmission of one or more signals in a mammal body 200, such as in a human body, according to the second aspect of the invention are schematically illustrated. In figures 1 , 3 and 4, the embodiments of the arrangement 100a-d and of the device 102; 104 are illustrated when applied to the body 200 of a human. However, it is to be understood that embodiments of the arrangement 100a-d and of the device 102; 104 may be applied to the body of other mammals, such as animals.

[0072] With reference to figures 1 to 8, the arrangement 10Oa-d includes one or more first devices 102 for producing Zenneck waves 103 (see figure 5) to propagate in adipose tissue 202, or fatty tissue 202, of the mammal body 200 for the transmission of one or more first signals to one or more second devices 104 of the arrangement 10Oa-d. Thus, the arrangement 100a-d comprises the one or more second devices 104. The one or more second devices 104 is / are configured to receive the Zenneck waves 103 produced by the one or more first devices 102 and propagated in adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200.

[0073] It has been found that the adipose tissue 202 (or fatty tissue) of the mammal body 200 is a suitable medium, or communication channel, for conveying data or information by way of propagating electromagnetic waves. The adipose tissue 202 may be described as a waveguide with boundary interfaces 208, 210 toward skin 204 and muscle tissue 206. In general, the relative permittivity, €r, (or the dielectric constant) of adipose tissue 202 is lower than the relative permittivity, of skin 204 and of muscle tissue 206. For some frequencies, the relative permittivity, Er, of adipose tissue 202 is considerably lower than the relative permittivity, £f, of skin 204 and of muscle tissue 206. Conventionally, it has been suggested to propagate radio waves or microwaves via the waveguide formed by the adipose tissue 202 and the surrounding skin 204 and muscle tissue 206.

[0074] As already stated above, the inventor of the present invention has found that the Zenneck wave 103 is efficient for the transmission of signals in adipose tissue 202 of a mammal body 200 with boundary interfaces 208, 210 toward skin 204 and muscle tissue 206 of the mammal body 200, or more specifically, Zenneck waves 103 propagating along the boundary interface 208, 210 (see figure 5) between adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 and another tissue 204, 206 of the mammal body 202, such as one 204, 206 of skin 204 and muscle tissue 206 of the mammal body 200. By way of the Zenneck wave 103, the first signal (and / or the second signal mentioned hereinbelow) is efficiently contained or confined in the adipose tissue 202.

[0075] In general, the Zenneck wave 103, which also may be referred to as the Zenneck surface wave or the Sommerfeld-Zenneck surface wave, may be described as a longitudinal, inhomogeneous or non-uniform electromagnetic plane wave incident at the complex Brewster's angle onto a planar or spherical boundary interface between two homogeneous media having different dielectric constants. The Zenneck wave 103 propagates parallel to the interface and decays exponentially vertical to it, a property known as evanescence. In general, the Zenneck wave 103 exists under the condition that the permittivity of one of the materials forming the interface is negative, while the other one is positive, as for example the interface between air and a lossy conducting medium such as the terrestrial transmission line, below the plasma frequency. Arising from original analysis by Arnold Sommerfeld and Jonathan Zenneck of the problem of wave propagation over a lossy earth, the Zenneck wave exists as an exact solution to Maxwell's equations. In 2020, it was demonstrated by Oruganti et al., that it was possible to excite Zenneck wave type waves on flat metal-air interfaces and transmit power across metal obstacles.

[0076] For some embodiments, the one or more first devices 102 may be configured to produce Zenneck waves 103 to propagate along a boundary interface 208, 210 between adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 and another tissue 204, 206 of the mammal body 202 (for example, one 204, 206 of skin 204 and muscle tissue 206 of the mammal body 200) for the transmission of one or more first signals to the one or more second devices 104, wherein the one or more second devices 104 may be configured to receive the Zenneck waves 103 produced by the one or more first devices and at least partly propagated along the boundary interface 208, 210 between adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 and another tissue 204, 206 of the mammal body 202 (for example, one 204, 206 of skin 204 and muscle tissue 206 of the mammal body 200).

[0077] With reference to figures 1 to 8, for some embodiments, one or more of the first and second devices 102, 104 may be configured to be implanted, or implantable, in the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, one or more of the first and second devices 102, 104 may be configured to be applied, or be applicable, to the mammal body 200, such as to / on the skin 204 of the mammal body 200, more specifically to the outside surface of the skin 204. For some embodiments, it may be defined that one or more of the first and second devices 102, 104 is / are configured to be external to the mammal body 200 or configured to be internal in relation to the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, the first and second devices 102, 104 are configured to be implanted (or each one 102, 104 of the first and second devices 102, 104 is configured to be implanted) in the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, the first and second devices 102, 104 are configured to be applied to / on the skin 204 of the mammal body (or each one 102, 104 of the first and second devices 102, 104 is configured to be applied to / on the skin 204 of the mammal body 200). For some embodiments, one or more of the first and second devices 102, 104 is / are configured to be implanted in the mammal body 200 while another one or more of the first and second devices 102, 104 is / are configured to be applied to / on the skin 204 of the mammal body 200.

[0078] For some embodiments, it may be defined that the one or more second devices 104 is / are configured to receive the one or more first signals.

[0079] With reference to figures 1 to 8, for some embodiments, the one or more second devices 104 may be configured to produce Zenneck waves 103 to propagate in adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 for the transmission of one or more second signals to the one or more first devices 102, wherein the one or more first devices 102 may be configured to receive the Zenneck waves 103 produced by the one or more second devices 104 and propagated in adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200. Thus, a two-way communication between the first and second devices 102, 104 can be provided. For some embodiments, it may be defined that the one or more first devices 102 is / are configured to receive the one or more second signals.

[0080] With reference to figures 1 to 8, for some embodiments, it may be defined that the first or second device 102, 104 is configured to generate or excite Zenneck waves 103 to propagate in adipose tissue 202.

[0081] With reference to figures 1 to 8, for some embodiments, it may be defined that one 102, 104 or more of the first and second devices 102, 104 includes / include one or more antennas 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, 106e, 106f, 106g, 106h. With reference to figures 6 to 8, for some embodiments, one 102, 104 or more of the first and second devices 102, 104 may include one or more of the group of: a transmitter 108; a receiver 110; and a transceiver 1 12. The embodiment of the device 102; 104 or of the first or second device 102; 104 of figure 8 includes a transmitter 108 and a receiver 1 10. However, the embodiment of figure 8 may be modified to include a transceiver 1 12 instead of a separate transmitter 108 and a separate receiver 1 10. The embodiments of the device 102; 104 or of the first or second device 102; 104 of figures 6 and 7 include a transceiver 1 12. However, the embodiments of figures 6 and 7 may be modified to include separate transmitter 108 and a separate receiver 110 instead of a transceiver 112.

[0082] With reference to figures 1 to 8, embodiments of the device 102; 104 according to the second aspect include one or more transceivers 1 12 (or one or more transmitters 108 and receivers 1 10) and one or more antennas 106a-h for producing Zenneck waves 103 to propagate in adipose tissue 202 (or fatty tissue) of the mammal body 200 and for receiving Zenneck waves 103 propagated in adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 for the transmission of the one or more signals in the mammal body. For some embodiments, the one or more transceivers 1 12 and the one or more antennas 106a-h of the device 102; 104, and / or the device 102; 104 per se, may be configured to be implanted, or may be implantable, in the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, the one or more transceivers 1 12 and the one or more antennas 106a- h of the device 102; 104, and / or the device 102; 104 per se, may be configured to be applied to / on the skin 204 of the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, the transceiver 1 12 may be a combined single device, while for other embodiments, the transceiver 112 may comprise a separate transmitting device (or transmitter) and a separate receiving device (or receiver).

[0083] With reference to figures 1 to 8, for some embodiments of the arrangement 10Oa-d and of the device 102; 104, one or more of the first and second signals may convey one or more of the group of:

[0084] • data, or information; and

[0085] • energy, such as electrical energy, for the electrical energy supply to (or to power) one or more of the device 102; 104 and first and second devices 102, 104, or energy for the powering / energizing of one or more of the device 102; 104 and first and second devices 102, 104.

[0086] Thus, for some embodiments, one or more of the first and second signals conveys / convey data. For other embodiments, one or more of the first and second signals conveys / convey energy. For other embodiments, one or more of the first and second signals conveys / convey both data and energy. For some embodiments, the frequencies used for data transmission may differ from the frequencies used for the transmission of energy for powering.

[0087] With reference to figures 1 to 8, for some embodiments of the arrangement 10Oa-d and of the device 102; 104, one or more of the device 102; 104 and first and second devices 102, 104 may be configured to encrypt one or more of the first and second signals before being conveyed as one or more Zenneck waves 103, wherein one or more of the device 102; 104 and first and second devices 102, 104 may be configured to decrypt one or more of the encrypted first and second signals.

[0088] With reference to figure 1 , a first application of embodiments of the arrangement 100a and of the device 102; 104 is schematically illustrated. The first and second devices 102, 104 and their antennas 106a, 106b are external to the mammal body 200, i.e., not implanted. The first and second devices 102, 104 are applied to the skin 204 of the mammal body 200 and positioned opposite one another with a part of the mammal body 200 therebetween. One or more first and / or second signals may be sent between the first and second devices 102, 104 by way of Zenneck waves 103 via the adipose tissue 202 for diagnostic purposes or medical treatment, for example to monitor the progression of a cancer tumor. Thus, the adipose tissue 202 as a communication path may be used as a kind of sensor, since the cancer tumor has a relative permittivity (or a dielectric constant) different from the relative permittivity Erof adipose tissue 202 or of muscle tissue 206. However, it is to be understood that additional or other applications, other than the one shown in figure 1 , are possible. For example, the first and second devices 102, 104 may be applied or positioned at other locations so as to monitor other parts of the mammal body 200.

[0089] Figure 2 schematically illustrates another application of an embodiment of the arrangement 100b and of the device 102; 104 and a setup of the arrangement 100b. The first and second devices 102, 104 including antennas 106c, 106c are applied to adipose tissue 202 or to the skin 204 of the mammal body 200 and are allowed to communicate and transmit first and second signals between one another by way of Zenneck waves 103 via the adipose tissue 202 located between the skin 204 and the muscle tissue 206. The arrangement 100b may include a software-defined radio (SDR) 134 and a computer 136, which may include one or more processors 138, or central processing units, CPUs. In the embodiment of figure 2, the first device 102 is connected to the software-defined radio 134 which in turn is connected to the computer 136. The arrangement 100b may include an electromagnetic wave analyzer 140, to which the second device 104 connected in figure 2. However, it is to be understood that several additional or other setups, other than the one shown in figure 2, are possible.

[0090] With reference to figure 3, further applications of embodiments of the arrangement 100a and of the device 102; 104 are schematically illustrated. The first device 102 including an antenna 106e is applied to the skin 204 of the mammal body 200. The second device 104 is implantable in the mammal body 200 and is implanted, as illustrated in figure 3. In figure 3, the second device 104 comprises an artificial heart 142, an antenna 106f and a transceiver 1 12. It is to be understood that the second device 104 or the artificial heart 142 may include additional equipment, such as one or more sensors. The first and second devices 102, 104 are allowed to communicate and transmit first and second signals between one another by way of Zenneck waves 103 via the adipose tissue 202. For other embodiments, the second device 104 may comprise one of the group of: an artificial cardiac pacemaker 144; one or more sensors 146a, 146b, such as sensors for glucose or other parameters of the mammal body 200, such as blood parameters; and a medical device 148, such as a medicine-delivering device, for example a pump for medicine, such as a pump for insulin. It is to be understood that the second devices 104 mentioned above may include additional equipment. Further, it is to be understood that additional or other applications, other than the ones shown in figure 3, are possible. For example, the first and second devices 102, 104 may be applied or positioned at other locations. For example, embodiments of the arrangement 100a and of the device 102; 104 may be applied as an artificial spinal cord for reinstating communication between the brain and any mammal organ at the other end of the spinal cord. Embodiments of the arrangement 100a and of the device 102; 104 may be used in different environments, such on earth, above ground, below ground, under water, and in deep space, for example by virtue of the signal confinement under the skin 204 of the mammal body 200. Embodiments of the arrangement 100a and of the device 102; 104 may be described to be immune to environmental changes and do require any modification of the operational environment for them to work, which, for example, is advantageous in the context of space travels and underwater or deep-sea exploration. Further examples or embodiments of the first and second devices 102, 104 are disclosed hereinbelow.

[0091] With reference to figure 4, another application of embodiments of the arrangement 100a and of the device 102; 104 is schematically illustrated. The first device 102 is implantable in the mammal body 200 and is implanted, as illustrated in figure 4. The first device 102 comprises a brain implant 150 and an antenna 106g. It is to be understood that the first device 102 or the brain implant 150 may include additional equipment, such as one or more sensors. In figure 4, the second device 104 comprises a prosthesis 152, more specifically a hand prosthesis, and an antenna 106h. It is to be understood that the second device 104 or the prosthesis 152 may include additional equipment, such as one or more sensors. The first and second devices 102, 104 are allowed to communicate and transmit first and second signals between one another by way of Zenneck waves 103 via the adipose tissue 202 so as to allow the brain implant 150 to control the prosthesis 152 and to receive feedback signals from the prosthesis 152. However, it is to be understood that additional or other applications, other than the one shown in figure 4, are possible. Further examples of prostheses are disclosed hereinbelow.

[0092] With reference to figure 5, an application of embodiments of the arrangement 100c and of the device 102; 104, where the device 102; 104 is external and applicable / applied to the skin 204 of the of the mammal body 200, is schematically illustrated. For some embodiments of the arrangement 100a-d and of the device 102; 104, one or more of the device 102; 104 and first and second devices 102, 104 may be configured to produce a Zenneck wave 103 incident at the complex Brewster’s angle onto a boundary interface 208, 210 between adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 and another tissue 204, 206 of the mammal body 200, such as one 204, 206 of skin 204 and muscle tissue 206 of the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, it may be defined that the antenna 106e is configured to transmit waves which impinge on the skin 204 with an angle to a normal 212 to the skin 204, i.e. not with an angle of zero degrees to said normal 212, i.e., not parallel to said normal 212. For some embodiments, it may be defined that the antenna 106e is configured to transmit waves which impinge on the skin 204 almost (or substantially) parallel to the skin 204, or almost (or substantially) with an angle of 90 degrees to said normal 212. For some embodiments, it may be defined that the antenna 106e is configured to transmit waves which impinge on the skin 204 of the mammal body 200 with the complex Brewster's angle and then impinge on the adipose tissue 202 also with the complex Brewster's angle. It is to be understood that the one or more Zenneck waves 103 in figure 5 is / are illustrated for illustrative purposes only and in a schematical manner. Otherwise, in general, the Zenneck wave 103 is not visible to the human eye, as for other electromagnetic waves.

[0093] With reference to figure 5, for some embodiments of the arrangement 100c and of the device 102; 104, the device 102; 104, or the first or second device 102, 104, may be configured to provide a gap d, or distance d, between the antenna 106e and the skin 204 of the mammal body 200 when the device 102;104 or the first or second device 102, 104 is applied to the skin 204 of the of the mammal body 200. In the embodiment of figure 5, the device 102; 104, or the first or second device 102, 104, is configured to provide an air gap d between the antenna 106e and the skin 204, or a gap cf essentially filled with air. Thus, a space is provided between the antenna 106e and the skin 204, which improves the propagation or impingement of the waves through the skin 204 and into the adipose tissue 202. For some embodiments, the gap c / may be approx. 1 to 8 mm, such as 2 to 3 mm. However, other sizes of the gap d are possible. The device 102; 104 of figure 5 may comprise a cover 1 18a (or casing), which covers or substantially encapsulates at least the antenna 106e. For some embodiments, by way of said cover 1 18a, such as by way of a rim 1 19 of the cover 1 18a, the device 102; 104 may be configured to provide the air gap d between the antenna 106e and the skin 204 when the device 102; 104 is applied to the skin 204. Otherwise, the cover 1 18a may correspond to the cover 1 18b disclosed in more detailed hereinbelow in connection with figure 7. For other embodiments, the gap c / may be excluded.

[0094] With reference to figures 1 to 8, for some embodiments of the arrangement 10Oa-d and of the device 102; 104, one or more of the device 102; 104 and first and second devices 102, 104 may include one or more of the group of: • a sensor 116, 146a, 146b;

[0095] • a medical device 148;

[0096] • an implant;

[0097] • a brain implant 150;

[0098] • a neural implant;

[0099] • a dental implant;

[0100] • an orthopedic implant;

[0101] • a prosthetic implant;

[0102] • a retinal implant;

[0103] • a subdermal implant;

[0104] • an artificial cardiac pacemaker 144;

[0105] • an artificial heart 142;

[0106] • an artificial heart valve;

[0107] • a controller;

[0108] • a processor; and

[0109] • a prosthesis 152, such as a limb prosthesis, an upper-extremity prosthesis, a hand prosthesis, an arm prosthesis, a lower-extremity prosthesis, a foot prosthesis, a leg prosthesis, or any other prosthesis.

[0110] With reference to figure 6, an embodiment of the device 102; 104, of the first device 102, or of the second device 104, is schematically illustrated. For some embodiments of the arrangement 100a and of the device 102; 104, the antenna 106a may include an electrically conductive outer annular element 113 (or an outer annular electrical conductor) and may include an electrically conductive inner annular element 115 (or an inner annular electrical conductor) surrounded by the outer annular element 113. One 113, 115 of the outer and inner annular elements 113, 115 is configured as the radiating (or transmitting) and receiving element of the antenna 106a, while, for example, the other one 113, 115 of the outer and inner annular elements 113, 115 is, or forms, a ground plane. For some embodiments, the inner annular element 115 is configured as the radiating and receiving element of the antenna 106a, while, for example, the outer annular element 115 is the ground plane. For some embodiments, the inner annular element 113 may surround the transceiver 112, or the transmitter 108 and receiver 1 10. For some embodiments, the device 102; 104 may include an exciter 114. For some embodiments, the inner annular element 1 13 may surround the exciter 114. For some embodiments, the device 102; 104 may include one or more sensors 1 16. For some embodiments, the inner annular element 1 13 may surround the one or more sensors 1 16. The outer and inner annular elements 1 13, 1 15 may be made of any suitable electrically conductive material, such as a material comprising or consisting of a metal or a metal alloy. For some embodiments, it may be defined that the antenna 106a, which includes annular elements 1 13, 1 15, is configured to produce or form the Zenneck waves 103 by way of the fringe field of the antenna 106a. For some embodiments, the device 102; 104 of figure 6 may include a printed circuit board, PCB, 130a. One or more of the transceiver 1 12, exciter 1 14 and sensor 1 16 may be connected and / or attached to the printed circuit board 130a. For some embodiments, the inner annular element 1 13 may surround the printed circuit board 130b.

[0111] With reference to figure 6, for some embodiments, it may be defined that the outer and inner annular elements 1 13, 1 15 are spaced apart from one another. For some embodiments, the outer and inner annular elements 1 13, 1 15 may be concentric in relation to one another, which is the case in the embodiment of figure 6. For some embodiments, the outer and inner annular elements 1 13, 1 15 may be provided, and / or attached, to a substrate, which may be annular. For some embodiments, the outer radius of the outer annular element 115 may be approx. 10-14 mm. For some embodiments, the inner radius of the outer annular element 1 15 may be approx. 6-10 mm. For some embodiments, the outer radius of the inner annular element 1 13 may be approx. 6-10 mm. For some embodiments, the inner radius of the inner annular element 1 13 may be approx. 3-7 mm. However, other dimensions or sizes are possible.

[0112] With reference to figure 7, another embodiment of the device 102; 104, of the first device 102, or of the second device 104, is schematically illustrated when applied to the skin 204 of a mammal body 200. Several features of the device 102; 104 of figure 7 correspond to features of the embodiment of figure 6 and are thus no repeated here to avoid repetition. The device 102; 104 of figure 7 differs from the device 102; 104 of figure 6 in that the device 102; 104 of figure 7 comprises a cover 1 18b (or casing, or coating, or encapsulation), which covers (or surrounds, or encapsulates) at least the antenna 106a, and optionally one or more of the transceiver 1 12, exciter 1 14 and sensor 1 16. For some embodiments, the cover 1 18b may be made of material comprising or consisting of a polymer or a polymer composite. For some embodiments, the cover 1 18b may be made of material comprising or consisting of a rubber, an elastomer, or a silicone polymer, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), also known as dimethylpolysiloxane. In general, polydimethylsiloxane has a relatively low dielectric constant. The cover 1 18b protects the antenna 106a against wear and damage and facilitates the usage of the device 102;104 for various applications.

[0113] With reference to figure 7, for some embodiments, the device 102; 104 may be configured to provide a gap d1, or distance d1, between the antenna 106a and the skin 204 of the mammal body 200 when the device 102; 104 is applied to the mammal body 200 or to the skin 204 of the mammal body 200, which facilitates the propagation or impingement of the waves through the skin 204 and into the adipose tissue 202. For some embodiments, by way of said cover 1 18b, the device 102; 104 is configured to provide the gap d1 between the antenna 106a and the skin 204 of the mammal body 200 when the device 102; 104 is applied to the skin 204 of the mammal body 200. In the embodiment of figure 7, the device 102; 104 is configured to provide is a material- filled gap d1 between the antenna 106a and the skin 204, wherein the material of the material-filled gap d1 may comprise any one of the materials mentioned above for the cover 1 18b. For some embodiments, the material of the material-filled gap d1 may have a relative permittivity £r(or a dielectric constant) different from the relative permittivity of the skin 204 of the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, the material of the material-filled gap d1 may have a relative permittivity €rhich is lower than the relative permittivity of the skin 204 of the mammal body 200. For other embodiments, the material of the material-filled gap d1 may have a relative permittivity which exceeds the relative permittivity of the skin 204 of the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, the gap d1 may be approx. 1 to 8 mm, such as 2- 3 mm. However, other sizes of the gap d1 are possible. For other embodiments, the gap d1 may be excluded.

[0114] With reference to figure 7, the device 102; 104 of figure 7 further differs from the device 102; 104 of figure 6 in that the device 102; 104 of figure 7 comprises a shield 120, or shielding box, so as to reflect backward-waves from the antenna 106a forward to the skin 204 and the adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, it may be defined that there is a gap d2 between the antenna 106a and a surface 122 of the shield 120, such as an inner surface 122, which faces the antenna 106a. For some embodiments, the gap d2 may be approximately wavelength. However, other widths of the gap d2 are possible. For some embodiments, the gap d2 may be chosen or set in order to reflect backward-waves in phase with the forward-waves of the antenna 106a. For some embodiments, the shield 120 or the inner surface 122 of the shield 120 may be made of any suitable material, such as an electrically conductive material, for example a material comprising or consisting of a metal or a metal alloy, such as aluminum, copper, silver, or steel. For some embodiments, the shield 120 may be formed by a plate, or a mesh. However, other materials are possible. Otherwise, the embodiment of figure 7 may include features corresponding to features of the embodiment of figure 6.

[0115] With reference to figure 7, for both of the embodiments of figures 6 and 7, the device 102; 104 may include a connection line 123a, or connector, connected to the one 1 13, 1 15 of the outer and inner annular elements 1 13, 1 15 configured as the radiating and receiving element of the antenna 106a, such as the inner annular element 113, as illustrated in figure 7.

[0116] With reference to figure 8, yet another embodiment of the device 102; 104, of the first device 102, or of the second device 104, is schematically illustrated. For some embodiments of the arrangement 10Oa-d and of the device 102; 104, the antenna 106e may include a U-shaped member 124, or a U-shaped substrate 124. For some embodiments, the antenna 106e may be defined as being U-shaped. For some embodiments, the U-shaped member 124 may be described to comprise two legs 126a, 126b connected to one another by a base 127, or a bridge. The U-shaped member 124 includes, or is provided with, one or more electrically conductive elements 128a, 128b comprising the radiating (or transmitting) and receiving element / elements of the antenna 106e. For some embodiments, the transmitter 108 and receiver 1 10, or the transceiver 1 12, may be positioned between the two legs 126a, 126b. For some embodiments, the device 102; 104 may include an exciter 1 14. For some embodiments, the exciter 1 14 may be positioned between the two legs 126a, 126b. For some embodiments, the device 102; 104 may include one or more sensors 1 16. For some embodiments, the sensor 1 16 may be positioned between the two legs 126a, 126b.

[0117] With reference to figure 8, for some embodiments, the one or more electrically conductive elements 128a, 128b of the U-shaped member 124 may be made of any suitable electrically conductive material, such as a material comprising or consisting of a metal or a metal alloy. For some embodiments, one or more of the one or more electrically conductive elements 128a, 128b may be described to be U-shaped. For some embodiments, the one or more of the electrically conductive elements 128a, 128b may be described to be U-shaped. For some embodiments, the device 102; 104 of figure 8 may include a printed circuit board, PCB, 130b. One or more of the transmitter 108, receiver 1 10, transceiver 1 12, exciter 1 14 and sensor 1 16 may be connected and / or attached to the printed circuit board 130b. For some embodiments, the printed circuit board 130b may be positioned between the two legs 126a, 126b. For some embodiments, the device 102; 104 of figure 8 may include a connection line 123b, or connector, connected to one or more of the one or more electrically conductive elements 128a, 128b.

[0118] With reference to figure 8, for some embodiments, the device 102; 104 of figure 8 may include a cover 132, coating, or encapsulation, which surrounds or encapsulates at least the antenna 106e, and optionally one or more of the group of: the transmitter 108; the receiver 1 10; the transceiver 112; the exciter 1 14; the sensor 1 16; and the printed circuit board 130b. For some embodiments, the cover 132 may be made of any one of the materials mentioned above for the cover 1 18b of the embodiment of figure 7. For some embodiments, the device 102; 104 of figure 8 may be configured to provide a gap between the antenna 106e and the skin 204 of the mammal body 200 when the device 102; 104 is applied to the mammal body 200 or to the skin 204 of the mammal body 200. For some embodiments, by way of said cover 132, the device 102; 104 is configured to provide the gap between the antenna 106e and the skin 204 of the mammal body 200 when the device 102; 104 is applied to the skin 204 of the mammal body 200, wherein the gap provided by the device 102; 104 of figure 8 may be a material-filled gap corresponding to the gap d1 in figure 7. For some embodiments, one or more of the width and length of the antenna 106e may be approx. 20-30 mm. However, other dimensions or sizes are possible. For some embodiments, the gap may be excluded.

[0119] With reference to figures 6 to 8, for some embodiments, the antenna 106a, 106e may be defined as a planar antenna. The height h (see figure 7), or thickness, of the antenna 106a, 106e, or the height h of the substrate 124, may be approximately 1 -2 mm. In general, the height, or thickness, of the skin 204 of a human body 200 may be approximately 2 mm. In general, the height, or thickness, of the fatty tissue 202 of a human body 200 may be approximately 10 mm.

[0120] With reference to figures 6 to 8, for some embodiments, the one or more sensors 1 16 may include one or more of the group of: an accelerator; a flow meter; a gyroscope sensor; a temperature sensor; and a glucose sensor. However, other sensor types are possible.

[0121] For some embodiments of the device 102; 104, the one or more transceivers 1 12 and the one or more antennas 106a-h may be configured to produce Zenneck waves 103 to propagate along a boundary interface 208, 210 between adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 and another tissue 204, 206 of the mammal body 202 (for example, one 204, 206 of skin 204 and muscle tissue 206 of the mammal body 200) and receive Zenneck waves 103 at least partly propagated along the boundary interface 208, 210 between adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 and another tissue 204, 206 of the mammal body 202 (for example, one 204, 206 of skin 204 and muscle tissue 206 of the mammal body 200) for the transmission of the one or more signals in the mammal body 200.

[0122] It is to be understood that embodiments of the arrangement 100a-d and of the device 102;104 may apply or include other antennas which are different from the antennas 106a, 106e disclosed above, such as in connection with figures 6 to 8. For example, one or more O-shaped antennas and / or one or more leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) may be applied or included. With reference to figures 9 and 10, embodiments of the method 400 for transmitting signals in a mammal body 200 (for example, a human body) according to the third aspect are schematically illustrated in flow charts.

[0123] With reference to figure 9, embodiments of the method 400 for transmitting signals in a mammal body 200 include the steps of:

[0124] • producing 401 , by usage of one or more first devices 102, Zenneck waves 103 propagating in adipose tissue 202 (or fatty tissue) of the mammal body 200 for the transmission of one or more first signals to one or more second devices 104; and

[0125] • receiving 402, at the one or more second devices 104 and by usage of the one or more second devices 104, the Zenneck waves 103 produced by usage of the one or more first devices 102 and propagated in adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200.

[0126] With reference to figure 10, some embodiments of the method 400 may include the additional steps of:

[0127] • producing 403, by usage of the one or more second devices 104, Zenneck waves 103 propagating in adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 for the transmission of one or more second signals to the one or more first devices 102; and

[0128] • receiving 404, at the one or more first devices 102 and by usage of the one or more first devices 102, the Zenneck waves 103 produced by usage of the one or more second devices 104 and propagated in adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200.

[0129] Some embodiments of the method 400 may further include: producing 401 , by usage of one or more first devices 102, Zenneck waves 103 propagating along a boundary interface 208, 210 between adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 and another tissue 204, 206 of the mammal body 202 (for example, one 204, 206 of skin 204 and muscle tissue 206 of the mammal body 200) for the transmission of one or more first signals to the one or more second devices 104; and receiving 402, at and by usage of the one or more second devices 104, the Zenneck waves 103 produced by usage of the one or more first devices 102 and at least partly propagated along the boundary interface 208, 210 between adipose tissue 202 of the mammal body 200 and another tissue 204, 206 of the mammal body 202 (for example, one 204, 206 of skin 204 and muscle tissue 206 of the mammal body 200).

[0130] Unless disclosed otherwise, it should be noted that the method steps illustrated in figures 9 and 10 and described herein do not necessarily have to be executed in the order illustrated in figures 9 and 10. The steps may essentially be executed in any suitable order. Further, one or more steps may be added without departing from the scope of the appended claims. One or more steps may be excluded without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0131] For some embodiments, the arrangement 10Oa-d may comprise one or more repeaters for amplifying one or more of the first and second signals between the first and second devices 102, 104. The one or more repeaters may be positioned between the first and second devices 102, 104, for example when there is a long distance between the first and second devices 102, 104. The one or more repeaters may be implantable / implanted in the mammal body 200. Embodiments of the arrangement 100a-d and of the device 102; 104 may be configured for various communication protocols, such as protocols for Bluetooth, LAN, W-LAN, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and / or WAN. Embodiments of the arrangement 100a-d and of the device 102; 104 may be configured for various modulations or modulation schemes, for example to reduce the impact of white noise. For some embodiments, the modulation scheme may correspond to any corresponding conventional modulation scheme for free space. For example, one or more of the first and second signals may be modulated before being transmitted from the device 102; 104 or from the first or second device 102, 104 and / or before being transmitted via the fatty tissue 202. For example, by said modulation, it may be possible to add more data transmitted by one or more of the first and second signals and / or increase the data rate, the bit rate, or the width of the data transmission. For example, by said modulation, it may be possible to increase the density of data to be transmitted by one or more of the first and second signals. For some embodiments, the antenna 106a-h may be a 50 Ohms antenna, such as an antenna with an input impedance of 50 Ohms. However, other antennas are possible.

[0132] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Instead, the present invention relates to, and encompasses all different embodiments being included within the scope of the appended independent claims.

Claims

Claims1. An arrangement (100a-d) for the transmission of signals in a mammal body (200), wherein the arrangement (100a-d) comprises one or more first devices (102) for producing Zenneck waves (103) to propagate in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) for the transmission of one or more first signals to one or more second devices (104) of the arrangement (1 OOa-d), wherein the one or more second devices (104) is / are configured to receive the Zenneck waves (103) produced by the one or more first devices and propagated in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200).

2. An arrangement (1 OOa-d) according to claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first and second devices (102, 104) is / are configured to be implanted in the mammal body (200).

3. An arrangement (1 OOa-d) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the first and second devices (102, 104) is / are configured to be applied to the skin (204) of the mammal body (200).

4. An arrangement (1 OOa-d) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more second devices (104) is / are configured to receive the one or more first signals.

5. An arrangement (1 OOa-d) according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more second devices (104) is / are configured to produce Zenneck waves (103) to propagate in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) for the transmission of one or more second signals to the one or more first devices (102), and wherein the one or more first devices (102) is / are configured to receive the Zenneck waves (103) produced by the one or more second devices (104) and propagated in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200).

6. An arrangement (1 OOa-d) according to claim 5, wherein the one or more first devices (102) is / are configured to receive the one or more second signals.

7. An arrangement (100a-d) according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein one or more of the first and second devices (102, 104) comprises / comprise one or more antennas (106a-h).

8. An arrangement (100a-d) according to claim 7, wherein the antenna (106a) comprises an electrically conductive outer annular element (113), and an electrically conductive inner annular element (1 15) surrounded by the outer annular element (1 13), and wherein one (1 15) of the outer and inner annular elements (113, 115) is configured as the radiating and receiving element of the antenna (106a).

9. An arrangement (100a-d) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the antenna (106e) comprises a U-shaped member (124), and wherein the U-shaped member (124) comprises one or more electrically conductive elements (128a-b) comprising the radiating and receiving element of the antenna (106e).

10. An arrangement (100a-d) according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein one or more of the first and second devices (102, 104) comprises / comprise one or more of the group of:• a transmitter (108);• a receiver (110); and• a transceiver (1 12).1 1. An arrangement (1 OOa-d) according to any one of the claims 1 to 10, wherein one or more of the first and second signals conveys / convey one or more of the group of: data; andenergy for the electrical energy supply to one or more of the first and second devices (102, 104).

12. An arrangement (1 OOa-d) according to any one of the claims 1 to 11 , wherein one or more of the first and second devices (102, 104) is / are configured to produce a Zenneck wave (103) incident at the complex Brewster’s angle onto a boundary interface (208, 210) between adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) and another tissue of the mammal body (200).

13. An arrangement (1 OOa-d) according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, wherein one or more of the first and second devices (102, 104) comprises / comprise one or more of the group of:• a sensor (1 16, 146a, 146b);• a medical device (148);• an implant;• a brain implant (150);• a neural implant;• a dental implant,• an orthopedic implant;• a prosthetic implant;• a retinal implant;• a subdermal implant;• an artificial cardiac pacemaker (144);• an artificial heart (142),• an artificial heart valve;• a controller;• a processor; and• a prosthesis (152).

14. An arrangement (1 OOa-d) according to any one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein one or more of the first and second devices (102, 104) is / are configured to encrypt oneor more of the first and second signals before being conveyed as one or more Zenneck waves (103), and wherein one or more of the first and second devices (102, 104) is / are configured to decrypt one or more of the encrypted first and second signals.

15. An arrangement (100a-d) according to any one of the claims 1 to 14, wherein the one or more first devices (102) is / are configured to produce Zenneck waves (103) to propagate along a boundary interface (208, 210) between adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) and another tissue of the mammal body (202) for the transmission of one or more first signals to the one or more second devices (104), and wherein the one or more second devices (104) is / are configured to receive the Zenneck waves (103) produced by the one or more first devices and at least partly propagated along the boundary interface (208, 210) between adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) and another tissue of the mammal body (202).

16. A device (102; 104) for the transmission of one or more signals in a mammal body (200), wherein the device (102; 104) comprises one or more transceivers (1 12) and one or more antennas (106a-h) for producing Zenneck waves (103) to propagate in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) and for receiving Zenneck waves (103) propagated in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) for the transmission of the one or more signals in the mammal body (200).

17. A device (102; 104) according to claim 16, wherein the one or more transceivers (1 12) and the one or more antennas (106a-h) of the device (102; 104) are configured to be implanted in the mammal body (200).

18. A device (102; 104) according to claim 16, wherein the one or more transceivers (1 12) and the one or more antennas (106a-h) of the device (102; 104) are configured to be applied to the skin (204) of the mammal body (200).

19. A device (102; 104) according to any one of the claims 16 to 18, wherein the antenna (106a) comprises an electrically conductive outer annular element (1 13), andan electrically conductive inner annular element (1 15) surrounded by the outer annular element (1 13), and wherein one (1 15) of the outer and inner annular elements (113, 115) is configured as the radiating and receiving element of the antenna (106a).

20. A device (102; 104) according to any one of the claims 16 to 19, wherein the antenna (106e) comprises a U-shaped member (124), and wherein the U-shaped member (124) comprises one or more electrically conductive elements (128a-b) comprising the radiating and receiving element of the antenna (106e).21 A device (102; 104) according to any one of the claims 16 to 20, wherein the one or more transceivers (1 12) and the one or more antennas (106a-h) are configured to produce Zenneck waves (103) to propagate along a boundary interface (208, 210) between adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) and another tissue of the mammal body (202) and receive Zenneck waves (103) at least partly propagated along the boundary interface (208, 210) between adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) and another tissue of the mammal body (202) for the transmission of the one or more signals in the mammal body (200).

22. A method (400) for transmitting signals in a mammal body (200), wherein the method (400) comprises: producing (401 ), by usage of one or more first devices (102), Zenneck waves (103) propagating in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) for the transmission of one or more first signals to one or more second devices (104); and receiving (402), at and by usage of the one or more second devices (104), the Zenneck waves (103) produced by usage of the one or more first devices (102) and propagated in adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200).

23. A method (400) according to claim 22, wherein the method (400) further comprises: producing (401 ), by usage of one or more first devices (102), Zenneck waves (103) propagating along a boundary interface (208, 210) between adipose tissue (202)of the mammal body (200) and another tissue of the mammal body (202) for the transmission of one or more first signals to the one or more second devices (104); and receiving (402), at and by usage of the one or more second devices (104), the Zenneck waves (103) produced by usage of the one or more first devices (102) and at least partly propagated along the boundary interface (208, 210) between adipose tissue (202) of the mammal body (200) and another tissue of the mammal body (202).

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