CMUT Ultrasonic Link for High-Rate Through-Body Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication methods, such as r.f. and electromagnetic transmission, are limited by tissue attenuation and interference in medical environments, making it difficult to achieve high-data-rate communication within the human body for devices like pacemakers and catheters.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized wide band through-body ultrasonic communication system using MEMS or capacitive microelectronic ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) that operate over a broad frequency range, allowing for efficient data transfer through human tissue with reduced interference and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If r.f. or electromagnetic communication is used for wireless communication through the body, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but signal attenuation and interference from medical equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic field-based communication with mechanical ultrasound wave-based communication. The CMUT transducer converts electrical signals to mechanical ultrasound vibrations that propagate through tissue, avoiding electromagnetic attenuation and interference while enabling wireless communication through the body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of communication from electromagnetic frequency to ultrasonic mechanical frequency. By operating in the ultrasonic range (20 kHz - 100 MHz), the system exploits the different propagation characteristics of mechanical waves through tissue, which experience less attenuation and interference compared to electromagnetic waves.
2Ease of operation
If traditional ultrasonic transducers operating in kHz frequency range are used, then wireless ultrasonic communication is achieved, but data transfer rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dramatically increases the operating frequency parameter from traditional kHz range to 20 kHz - 100 MHz range. This frequency increase enables much higher data transfer rates because more cycles per second can be modulated with data, directly improving productivity while maintaining wireless ultrasonic communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional piezoelectric transducers with capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs). This mechanical system substitution enables broader bandwidth operation and higher frequency response, which are essential for achieving high data transfer rates in ultrasonic communication.
3Reliability
If wired communication is used for devices inside the body, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but device size and complexity increase due to communication conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical electrical conductors with mechanical ultrasound wave propagation for data transmission. The CMUT transducer modulates ultrasound waves to carry data wirelessly through tissue, eliminating the need for communication wires while maintaining reliable transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasound waves as an intermediary medium for data transmission. Instead of direct electrical conduction through wires, data is encoded onto ultrasound waves that propagate through the body's liquid-like medium, providing wireless communication without conductors.
4Ease of operation
If electromagnetic communication is used, then communication capability is achieved, but band-limitation occurs when operating through tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication parameter from electromagnetic spectrum to ultrasonic mechanical spectrum. The CMUT transducer operates with a fractional bandwidth exceeding 80%, providing broad frequency adaptability that overcomes the band-limitation issues of electromagnetic communication through tissue.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high data transfer rates of up to Mb/sec with low energy consumption and immunity to electromagnetic interference, enabling reliable communication within the body without the need for conductive wires.
Implementation Method 1
A preferred ultrasonic transducer for such communication is a MEMS or capacitive microelectronic ultrasonic transducer (CMUT)
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasound within a band of useful frequencies is capable of passing through liquid-like media such as tissue without the limitations and restrictions encountered by r.f. and electromagnetic communication through the body
Data Source
AI summary
A wide band through-body communication system communicates data through the body ultrasonically. A MEMS device such as a CMUT transducer is configured to transmit and/or receive ultrasonic data signals within a broad band of operating frequencies. The transducer transmits the ultrasonic data signals through the body to a similarly configured ultrasonic receiver, and/or receives ultrasonic data signals which have been conveyed through the body from a similarly configured ultrasonic transmitter for decoding and processing. In a preferred implementation a CMUT transducer is operated in a collapsed mode.