Data Communication with Implantable Micro Devices

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In recent years several exciting new engineering developments, such as sub-micron electronics, nanotechnology, and microelectromechanical (MEM) chips, have emerged which may have profound impairs on medicine. Following these developments, miniature, but highly intelligent, implantable sensors and devices could be built to perform in vivo diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Currently, many technical barriers have been removed; however, there till exists a significant problem that an effective wireless data communication link which allows data exchange between external computer and implanted device through layers of tissue has not yet been developed. Traditional data communication modalities, such as those based on radio and optical mechanisms, cannot penetrate tissues well and do not support substantial miniaturization. As a result, valuable data obtained by implantable devices cannot be sent out, instructions/commands from computers cannot be sent in, and the development of the next-generation implantable devices has been hampered. We propose a biomedical engineering development project to attach the external/internal wireless data communication problem. We will build an innovative device consisting of two-way wireless data collection unit that both transmits subdural electroencephalographic signals and stimulates the cortex, fully controlled by an external computer. We will implant this device within the brain of laboratory dogs and evaluate its performance.