Intra-Body Communication Through Induced Eddy Currents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless solutions for transmitting sensor data through the human body face challenges such as connection issues due to movement, risk of eavesdropping, and skin irritation, necessitating improved data transmission methods.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a variable magnetic field generated by a magnetic coil to induce eddy currents in the body, which are detected using receiver electrodes, thereby transmitting data through the body as a volume conductor, and employing capacitive coupling to minimize skin contact and eavesdropping risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless solutions are used to transmit sensor data through the human body, then data transmission capability is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to movement and skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/wireless electromagnetic connections with a magnetic field-based transmission system. A transmitter coil generates a magnetic field that penetrates the body to induce eddy currents, which are then detected by receiver coils. This substitution eliminates the need for direct physical contact or traditional wireless electromagnetic waves, thereby maintaining data transmission capability while improving connection reliability against movement and skin irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the human body itself as an intermediary medium for data transmission. Instead of direct transmitter-receiver communication, the body acts as a conduit where the transmitter induces eddy currents within the body tissues, and these currents serve as the signal carrier to external receivers. This intermediary approach allows data transmission through the body without requiring stable external connections.
2Speed
If traditional wireless electromagnetic transmission is used, then data transmission speed is improved, but security against eavesdropping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission process from the external electromagnetic environment and relocates it within the body's internal magnetic field environment. By confining the primary magnetic field generation and eddy current induction within the body, the system removes the transmission path from public electromagnetic space, thereby eliminating eavesdropping risks while maintaining transmission speed through efficient magnetic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a localized magnetic field environment confined to the body region where transmission occurs. The magnetic field and induced eddy currents are concentrated within the body tissues rather than propagating through external space. This localization ensures that data transmission maintains speed through direct magnetic coupling while the confined field prevents external interception or eavesdropping.
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
Enables reliable data transmission across the body, reduces connection problems due to movement, and minimizes skin irritation and eavesdropping, facilitating secure and efficient health monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
converting the signal for transmission into a variable magnetic field directed towards a human or animal body, wherein the variable magnetic field induces eddy currents in order to generate an electrical current signal in the human or animal body
Implementation Method 2
The variable magnetic field may be generated using a magnetic coil
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus is described comprising: receiving or generating a signal for transmission, wherein the signal for transmission is based on an input signal; and converting the signal for transmission into a variable magnetic field directed towards a human or animal body, wherein the variable magnetic field induces eddy currents in order to generate an electrical current signal in the human or animal body.