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Block Diagram of μ-IBCOM showing the major CMOS circuit blocks and the different neural signals stored in µ-IBCOM1 (left) and µ-IBCOM2 (right)
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We report our preliminary work to explore a new method of signal transmission for bio-implantable microsystems. Intra-brain communication or IBCOM is a wireless signal transmission method that uses the brain itself as a conductive medium to transmit the data and commands between neural implants and data processing systems outside the brain. Two min...
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... extended the full length of the spear and were used to connect to a battery power source outside of the rat's brain. The third wire was bent perpendicular to the spear, stripped of insulation at the tip, and served as the transmission electrode. Finally, the μ-IBCOM CMOS chips and wirebonds were encapsulated with silicone (Dow Corning 3140 RTV). Fig. 3 shows the components of the μ-IBCOM chip. The chip consists of a ROM array (to store neural signals), a BFSK digital modulator, and a voltage-to-current (V/I) converter. We implemented two μ-IBCOM chips: μ-IBCOM1 and μ-IBCOM2. The only difference in the design of these two chips is in the modulation frequencies and the ROM array ...
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... signals), a BFSK digital modulator, and a voltage-to-current (V/I) converter. We implemented two μ-IBCOM chips: μ-IBCOM1 and μ-IBCOM2. The only difference in the design of these two chips is in the modulation frequencies and the ROM array contents. BFSK modulation frequencies of 100/200 kHz were used in μ-IBCOM1, and 300/400 kHz in μ-IBCOM2. Fig. 3 shows the two neural signals stored in the ROM of the two μ-IBCOM chips. They were prerecorded signals sampled at 20 kHz and converted to 5-bits digital signals. Each signal had a duration of 10 ms and ran continuously in a loop. This on-chip stored neural signal was modulated at each carrier frequency for current-mode signal ...
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... The demodulated signals are shown in Fig. 4(c) and (d) corresponding to the signals from µ-IBCOM1 and µ-IBCOM2, respectively. Finally, the signals were fully retrieved by 5-bit digital-to-analog conversion. The retrieved signals are shown in Fig. 4(e) and (f), which are identical to the original neural signals stored in ROM shown previously in Fig. 3. The results show the successful separation and retrieval of IBCOM signals when the signals are sent from multiple transmitters simultaneously. The average bit error rate (BER) of the transmitted signals is measured as 10 -5 with the maximum BER less than 10 -3 ...
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... Furthermore, the conductivity properties of the nervous tissues as communication media themselves were tested. In particular, the brain tissue has been evaluated to transmit data be- tween neural implants and a system for data processing in a rat [81]. Recorded neural data were successfully sent and recovered through intra-brain communication via an implantable version of CC. ...
... The goal was to evaluate the use of brain as conductive medium to send data without interfering with the natural neural signals. Artifacts or abnormal neural activities were not observed indicating, qualitatively, that intra-brain communication does not affect neural activities [81]. ...
... Since most neurological diseases affect several brain regions, the capability of monitoring neural activity and evaluate intra-region communication is essential for our understanding of dysfunctions [95], to treat illness according to a more appropriate and personalized approach. [96], (c) [67]; high EM frequencies (d) [97], (e) [93,11], (f) [94,11]; low EM frequencies (g) [81], (h) [98], (i) [99], (l) [79], (m) [9]. ...
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) paradigm will enable next generation healthcare by enhancing human abilities, supporting continuous body monitoring and restoring lost physiological functions due to serious impairments. This paper presents intra-body communication solutions that interconnect implantable devices for application to the nervous system, challenging the specific features of the complex intra-body scenario. The presented approaches include both speculative and implementative methods, ranging from neural signal transmission to testbeds, to be applied to specific neural diseases therapies. Also future directions in this research area are considered to overcome the existing technical challenges mainly associated with miniaturization, power supply, and multi-scale communications.
... everal applications are introduced for the image sensors in the biomedical engineering such as brain neuronal activity monitoring (Ahmadi & Jullien, 2009), blood glucose self-monitoring (Al-Ashmouny et al., 2009), intrinsic signal detection (Barretto et al., 2011), brain functions fluorescence imaging, the dynamics of cancer cell death monitoring (Bermak, Bouzerdoum, & Eshraghian, 2002), advanced therapies (Brancaleon & Moseley, 2002), capsule endoscopes, and retina prosthesis (Braun & Fromherz, 2004). Image sensors have been developed for implantation in various parts of the human or animal bodies such as eyes (Choi et al., 2013) or brain (Deguchi, Maruyama, Yamasaki, Hamamoto, & Izumi, 1992;Dupret, Tchamgaspanian, Verdant, Alacoque, & Peizerat, 2011). ...
Implantable image sensors have several biomedical applications due to their miniature size, light weight, and low power consumption achieved through sub-micron standard CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) technologies. The main applications are in specific cell labeling, neural activity detection, and biomedical imaging. In this paper the recent research studies on implantable CMOS image sensors for neural activity monitoring of brain are being quantified and reviewed. Based on the results, the suitable implantable image sensors for brain neural monitoring should have high signal to noise ratio of above 60 dB, high dynamic range of near 88 dB and low power consumption than the safety threshold of 4W/cm². Moreover, it is found out that the next generation of implantable imaging device trend should reduce the pixel size and power consumption of CMOS image sensors to increase spatial resolution of sample images.
... It is resilient to frequency misalignment for short-distance communication due to the carrier tracking technique. A concept of transmitting IBC signals through a mouse or rat brain was reported and tested in vivo in [199][200][201], while no effect on normal neural activities was noticed. ...
... A new concept of wireless transmission of neural signals within the brain, called intrabrain communication (IBCOM), was presented by Al-Ashmouny et al. [199]. In this work, two miniaturized IBCOM chips were designed and tested in vivo on a rat's brain, with no effect on normal neural activities. ...
Intrabody communication (IBC) is a wireless communication technology using the human body to develop body area networks (BANs) for remote and ubiquitous monitoring. IBC uses living tissues as a transmission medium, achieving power-saving and miniaturized transceivers, making communications more robust against external interference and attacks on the privacy of transmitted data. Due to these advantages, IBC has been included as a third physical layer in the IEEE 802.15.6 standard for wireless body area networks (WBANs) designated as Human Body Communication (HBC). Further research is needed to compare both methods depending on the characteristics of IBC application. Challenges remain for an optimal deployment of IBC technology, such as the effect of long-term use in the human body, communication optimization through more realistic models, the influence of both anthropometric characteristics and the subject’s movement on the transmission performance, standardization of communications, and development of small-size and energy-efficient prototypes with increased data rate. The purpose of this work is to provide an in-depth overview of recent advances and future challenges in human body/intrabody communication for wireless communications and mobile computing.
... Introduction: Recent advances in implantable microchips based on semiconductor technology for physiological monitoring from inside the body are becoming an increasing interest in both fundamental research [1] and medical applications [2]. Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology enables the integration of a variety of functions such as physiological data acquisition, processing, and analysis on a single chip. ...
Interest in implantable microchips for medical sensors is increasing. To reduce the invasiveness of implantation, wireless data transmission in a living body is an important issue shared by all such sensors. Here, the authors report on a light-based wireless data transmission method for implantable biomedical sensor chips. An implantable micro-sized image sensor (400 x 1200 μm²) that was designed to modulate a small light-emitting diode (λ = 855 nm) with pulse-width modulation for intra-vital optical communication (IOC) was developed. Both a transmitter device and a receiver device for IOC were prepared, and optical image data transmission through biological tissue (a mouse skull bone) was successfully demonstrated. � 2016, Institution of Engineering and Technology. All rights reserved.
... Sun et al. also measured electrical transmission properties of brain tissue using an anesthetized pig during data communication between brain implants and a personal computer [18]. Results of the first in vivo communication test for an intrabody communication device implanted in an anesthetized rat's brain were reported by Al-Ashmouny et al. [19]. There has been no report of an in vivo transcutaneous data transmission test for intrabody communication using a conscious animal. ...
We developed a new transcutaneous communication system (TCS) that uses the human body as a conductive medium for monitoring and controlling artificial hearts and other artificial organs in the body.In this study, the physiological effect of data current discharged into the body during data transmission was evaluated by an animal experiment using a goat. The external and internal units of the new TCS each mainly consist of a data transmitter and a data receiver. The data transmitter has an amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulator (carrier frequencies: 4 and 10 MHz) and an electrode.The internal unit of the TCS was fixed on the pericardium and the external unit was placed on the left ear, and each transmitter discharged an ASK-modulated current of 7 mA (RMS) into the conscious goat. The TCS was able to transmit data for 4 weeks under full duplex communication with a transmission rate of 115 kbps. On the 28th postoperative day, an electrocardiogram was measured during data transmission. Cardiac rhythm and waveform of the electrocardiogram were not changed before and during bidirectional data transmission. Also, no adverse effect on the heart was observed by autopsy.
... Capitalizing on the highly conductive nature of the body, intra-body based signal transmission is a potential low-power, safe, and miniaturizable alternative [1]. We have already proven the viability of using the brain as a transmission channel for carrier signals [2]. At highfrequencies (100kHz to 10MHz), this technology does not interfere with neural firing, transmitting microwatt-level signals at distances as large as 15mm through live rat brain, using 50µm-diameter Pt wire electrodes [2]. ...
... We have already proven the viability of using the brain as a transmission channel for carrier signals [2]. At highfrequencies (100kHz to 10MHz), this technology does not interfere with neural firing, transmitting microwatt-level signals at distances as large as 15mm through live rat brain, using 50µm-diameter Pt wire electrodes [2]. ...
... In-vivo tests through anesthetized rat brain reliably transmitted modulating signals as small as 10mV rms . The carrier was transmitted through electrodes placed just under the skull, however, previous experiments have successfully transmitted larger carrier signals from brain to extracranial, subcutaneous electrodes [2]. Modeling suggests possible increases in sensitivity by consideration of the built-in potential of the variable-capacitance diode, and control of the spacing and orientation of the probe electrodes. ...
1 Background Existing neural recording technologies require an electrode adjoined to a skull-attached headstage or held fixed relative to a head-fixed animal. This wire limits applications of in-vivo recording due to the damage and displacement it causes. For example, recording from fragile structures such as spinal cord are particularly challenging. Wireless communication from the recording site (the probe, in or near the cell(s)) to the signal processing stages (the headstage or waystation) would permit recordings from fragile or moving structures, and could potentially simplify intracellular recordings from freely moving animals. Available prototypes of wireless biomedical probes require DC power or a large inductor as an antenna for a radio transceiver, producing excessive heating and limiting miniaturization. Capitalizing on the highly conductive nature of the body, intra-body based signal transmission is a potential low-power, safe, and miniaturizable alternative [1]. We have already proven the viability of using the brain as a transmission channel for carrier signals [2]. At high-frequencies (100kHz to 10MHz), this technology does not interfere with neural firing, transmitting microwatt-level signals at distances as large as 15mm through live rat brain, using 50µm-diameter Pt wire electrodes [2].
... In this study，we measured transmission characteristics of a mouse brain and demonstrate that it is capable to communicate through a mouse brain with miniature electrodes. Al-Ashmouny et al. proposed the use of a similar method in an intra-brain communication microsystem for neural electric signal recording [12]. Their system uses frequencies from 100 to 400 kHz. ...
We demonstrate wireless image data transmission through a mouse brain. The transmission characteristics of mouse brain is measured. By inserting electrodes into the brain, the transmission efficiency is drastically increased. An AM signal modulated with the image data from an implantable image sensor was launched into the brain and the received signal was demodulated. The data was successfully transmitted through the brain and the image was reproduced.
Intra body communication technology allows the fabrication of compact implantable biomedical sensors compared with RF wireless technology. In this paper, we report the fabrication of an implantable image sensor of 625 µm width and 830 µm length and the demonstration of wireless image-data transmission through a brain tissue of a living mouse. The sensor was designed to transmit output signals of pixel values by pulse width modulation (PWM). The PWM signals from the sensor transmitted through a brain tissue were detected by a receiver electrode. Wireless data transmission of a two-dimensional image was successfully demonstrated in a living mouse brain. The technique reported here is expected to provide useful methods of data transmission using micro sized implantable biomedical sensors.
The intra-body communication is an emerging wireless communication technology. It gives rise to slight wound without any infection, makes relevant devices positioned more easily and plays an important role in real-time monitoring of human body. According to coupling modes of electrodes, the intra-body communication is classified into two types, the capacitive and the galvanic coupling intra-body communication. By analyzing relevant achievements available, it is concluded that the capacitive coupling communication is inappropriate for the medical implant intra-body communication because this communication mode requires the common grounding, while the galvanic coupling communication can exactly make up for the disadvantage of the former. In existing research overview, prototypes and experiments concerning the two coupling communication modes are thoroughly discussed, and research status of “surface-to-surface”, “surface-to-implant”, “implant-to-surface” and “implant-to-implant” communication methods is emphasized as per installation positions of electrodes. Furthermore, opportunities and challenges of the communication technology are presented as well as its prospect. Although the galvanic coupling intra-body communication is confronted with many problems, it will be certain to be applied to the future implantable medical communication along with development of various related technologies and increasing demand for intelligent medical devices.
The intra-body communication is an emerging wireless communication technology. It gives rise to slight wound without any infection, makes relevant devices positioned more easily and plays an important role in real-time monitoring of human body. According to coupling modes of electrodes, the intra-body communication is classified into two types, the capacitive and the galvanic coupling intra-body communication. By analyzing relevant achievements available, it is concluded that the capacitive coupling communication is inappropriate for the medical implant intra-body communication because this communication mode requires the common grounding, while the galvanic coupling communication can exactly make up for the disadvantage of the former. In existing research overview, prototypes and experiments concerning the two coupling communication modes are thoroughly discussed, and research status of “surface-to-surface”, “surface-to-implant”, “implant-to-surface” and “implant-to-implant” communication methods is emphasized as per installation positions of electrodes. Furthermore, opportunities and challenges of the communication technology are presented as well as its prospect. Although the galvanic coupling intra-body communication is confronted with many problems, it will be certain to be applied to the future implantable medical communication along with development of various related technologies and increasing demand for intelligent medical devices.
We have developed a prototype of battery-powered implantable image sensor unit and successfully demonstrated its operation in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution as simulant body solution. We have also proposed its equivalent circuit model for circuit simulation. The transmitted signal waveforms are in good agreement with the simulation result by using the model. The images taken by the implantable image sensor has been recovered from the signal received outside PBS solution.
