Skin-electrode circuit model for use in optimizing energy transfer in volume conduction systems.

The X-Delta model for through-skin volume conduction systems is introduced and analyzed. This new model has advantages over our previous X model in that it explicitly represents current pathways in the skin. A vector network analyzer is used to take measurements on pig skin to obtain data for use in finding the model's impedance parameters. An optimization method for obtaining this more complex model's parameters is described. Results show the model to accurately represent the impedance behavior of the skin system with error of generally less than one percent. Uses for the model include optimizing energy transfer across the skin in a volume conduction system with appropriate current exposure constraints, and exploring non-linear behavior of the electrode-skin system at moderate voltages (below ten) and frequencies (kilohertz to megahertz).

Wireless energy transfer platform for medical sensors and implantable devices.

Witricity is a newly developed technique for wireless energy transfer. This paper presents a frequency adjustable witricity system to power medical sensors and implantable devices. New witricity resonators are designed for both energy transmission and reception. A prototype platform is described, including an RF power source, two resonators with new structures, and inductively coupled input and output stages. In vitro experiments, both in open air and using a human head phantom consisting of simulated tissues, are employed to verify the feasibility of this platform. An animal model is utilized to evaluate in vivo energy transfer within the body of a laboratory pig. Our experiments indicate that witricity is an effective new tool for providing a variety of medical sensors and devices with power.

How to pass information and deliver energy to a network of implantable devices within the human body.

It has been envisioned that a body network can be built to collect data from, and transport information to, implanted miniature devices at multiple sites within the human body. Currently, two problems of utmost importance remain unsolved: 1) how to link information between a pair of implants at a distance? and 2) how to provide electric power to these implants allowing them to function and communicate? In this paper, we present new solutions to these problems by minimizing the intra-body communication distances. We show that, based on a study of human anatomy, the maximum distance from the body surface to the deepest point inside the body is approximately 15 cm. This finding provides an upper bound for the lengths of communication pathways required to reach the body's interior. We also show that these pathways do not have to cross any joins within the body. In order to implement the envisioned body network, we present the design of a new device, called an energy pad. This small-size, light-weight device can easily interface with the skin to perform data communication with, and supply power to, miniature implants.

Design of the next-generation medical implants with communication energy and ports.

In this work, we provide an effective solution to the communication and power supply problems in miniature medical devices implanted within the human body. The volume conduction property of the human tissue is utilized as a natural cable for the delivery of both information and energy. A practical design is presented consisting of a small, simple, and convenient external device called an energy pad.

Communication between functional and denervated muscles using radiofrequency.

OBJECTIVE: This article focuses on establishing communication between a functional muscle and a denervated muscle using a radiofrequency communications link. The ultimate objective of the project is to restore the eye blink in patients with facial nerve paralysis. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Two sets of experiments were conducted using the gastrocnemius leg muscles of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the initial tests, varying magnitudes of voltages ranging from 0.85 to 2.5 V were applied directly to a denervated muscle to determine the voltage required to produce visible contraction. The second set of experiments was then conducted to determine the voltage output from an in vivo muscle contraction that could be sensed and used to coordinate a signal for actuation of a muscle in a separate limb. After designing the appropriate external communication circuitry, a third experiment was performed to verify that a signal between a functional and a denervated muscle can be generated and used as a stimulus. RESULTS: Voltages below 2 V at a 10-millisecond pulse width elicited a gentle, controlled contraction of the denervated muscle in vivo. It was also observed that with longer pulse widths, higher stimulation voltages were required to produce sufficient contractions. CONCLUSION: It is possible to detect contraction of a muscle, use this to generate a signal to an external base station, and subsequently cause a separate, denervated muscle to contract in response to the signal. SIGNIFICANCE: This demonstration in vivo of a signaling system for pacing of electrical stimulation of 1 muscle to spontaneous contraction of another, separate muscle, using radiofrequency communication without direct connection, may be used in numerous ways to overcome nerve damage.

Platform technologies to support brain-computer interfaces.

There is a lack of adequate and cost-effective treatment options for many neurodegenerative diseases. The number of affected patients is in the millions, and this number will only increase as the population ages. The developing areas of neuromimetics and stimulative implants provide hope for treatment, as evidenced by the currently available, but limited, implants. New technologies are emerging that are leading to the development of highly intelligent, implantable sensors, activators, and mobile robots that will provide in vivo diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, and functional replacement. Two key platform technologies that are required to facilitate the development of these neuromimetic and stimulative implants are data communication channels and the devices' power supplies. In the research reported in this paper, investigators have examined the use of novel concepts that address these two needs. These concepts are based on ionic volume conduction (VC) to provide a natural communication channel to support the functioning of these devices, and on biofuel cells to provide a continuously rechargeable power supply that obtains electrons from the natural metabolic pathways. The fundamental principles of the VC communication channels, including novel antenna design, are demonstrated. These principles include the basic mechanisms, device sensitivity, bidirectionality of communication, and signal recovery. The demonstrations are conducted using mathematical and finite element analysis, physical experiments, and animal experiments. The fundamental concepts of the biofuel cells are presented, and three versions of the cells that have been studied are discussed, including bacteria-based cells and two white cell-based experiments. In this paper the authors summarize the proof or principal experiments for both a biomimetic data channel communication method and a biofuel cell approach, which promise to provide innovative platform technologies to support complex devices that will be ready for implantation in the human nervous system in the next decade.

Transcutaneous battery recharging by volume conduction and its circuit modeling.

Many implantable devices require large capacity batteries implanted in the body. Transcutaneous battery recharging can effectively maintain the longevity of these implants. Based on this consideration we have developed a transcutaneous battery recharging circuit unit which takes advantages of skin volume conduction. This unit is able to pass 2.8 mA from the outside to the inside of pig skin with a current transmitting efficiency of 27%. Theoretical analysis and experiments have validated that this battery recharging technology is an effective approach. In this research we have constructed an x-type equivalent circuit model of skin volume conduction for battery recharging. The parameters of the x-type equivalent circuit can be easily measured and used to evaluate the battery charging system characteristics, such as the rechargeable prerequisite and the current transmitting efficiency limitation. We have analyzed the transcutaneous current transmitting efficiency by applying the x-type equivalent circuit model and discussed approaches for enhancing current transmitting efficiency.