A biomedical smart sensor for the visually impaired

Abstract

KeywordsSensor systems, biomedical sensors. INTRODUCTIONIn this paper, we describe the current version of the artificial retina prosthesis and cortical implant that we are developing. This research is a multidisciplinary project involving researchers in Ophthalmology, Neurosurgery, Computer Networking, Sensors, and VLSI. Restoring vision to the blind and visually impaired is possible only through significant progress in all these research areas. In the future, artificial retina prostheses may be used to restore visual perception to persons suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, macula degeneration, or other diseases of the retina. In patients with these diseases, most of the rods and cones are destroyed, but the other cells of the retina are largely intact. It is well known that the application of electrical charges to the retina can elicit the perception of spots of light. By coupling novel sensing materials with the recent advances in VLSI technology and wireless communication, it is now feasible to develop biomedical smart sensors that can support chronic implantation of a significant number of stimulation points. Although the development and use of artificial retina prostheses is still in the early stages, the potential benefits of such technology are immense.

Communication Scheduling to Minimize Thermal Effects of Implanted Biosensor Networks in Homogeneous Tissue

“…Data transfer for an implanted biosensor must use wireless communication as it is impractical to distribute wires throughout the body. A group of biosensors can form a system [1] for continuous monitoring of oxygen on the surface of exteriorized tissues, or to form an electrode sensor array used for a retina prosthesis [2]. We envision a future where sensors can form a wireless sensor network comprising a large number of nodes whose placement in the body can be either pre-determined or random according to the application [3].…”

“…Human tissue will absorb heat and experience a temperature increase when exposed to electromagnetic fields. Our research group is conducting research on implanted biosensors used as a retina or cortical prosthesis [2], so our concerns over minimizing the heat absorption and the temperature increase caused by implanted sensors motivates this work. For safety reasons, the level of radiation being absorbed by the human body needs to be measured.…”

Wireless Aspects of Telehealth

“…From a medical viewpoint, implanted sensors provide more precise measurements and continuous patient compliance [22]. Cardiac treatment (e.g., pacemakers and implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)) make up the largest segment of the implant medical telemetry market [23], however other applications involving wireless communications with implants include glucose monitoring [24], blood pressure monitoring [25], insulin pumps [26], neurostimulation [27], epilepsy control [28], cochlear implant [29], and intracranial pressure sensor [29].…”

TARA: Thermal-Aware Routing Algorithm for Implanted Sensor Networks

“…It also finds its usages in various medical applications like retinal prosthesis [1], and cancer detection. Sensors work cooperatively by exchanging information and monitoring environmental changes, so wireless communication is necessary for reliable data communication amongst sensors.…”