Video-Capable Ultrasonic Wireless Communications through Biological Tissues

Abstract

Wireless implanted medical devices (IMDs) provide ease and comfort to an increasing number of patients and physicians. Currently, radiofrequency electromagnetic waves are the most commonly used method for communicating wirelessly with IMDs. However, due to the restrictions on the available bandwidth and the employable power, data rates of RF-based IMDs are limited to 267 kbps [1]. Considering standard definition video streaming requiring 1.2 mbps and high definition requiring 3 mbps bitrates, it is not possible to use such devices for high data rate communication applications such as video streaming. In this work, an alternative method that utilizes ultrasonic waves for IMDs to relay information at high data rates is introduced. Advanced signal processing and communications techniques are tailored to realize the full potential of the ultrasonic channel through biological tissues. Consequently, the experiments demonstrate that video-capable data rates can be achieved with mmsized transducers communicating through water, ex vivo beef liver, pork chop and in vivo rabbit abdomen.