The same technology used by the IUD for communication: sonar could be used to treat heart failure, diabetes, or other diseases.
The University of Buffalo, a leading research center, is working on the ability to use this technology for medical diagnostics and information transfer.
Promotion depends on sensors that use ultrasound. Ultrasound was used by military submarines and medical cabinets. Just as submarines interact with each other, medical devices, such as a pacemaker, can transmit and transmit relevant data over radio waves. Research in this area has been under development for over 10 years. However, the focus was on electromagnetic radio frequency waves, similar to those found in GPS units or cell phones. The disadvantages of electromagnetic radiofrequency waves include the amount of heat generated and the necessary energy. Since the body is made mostly of water, more than 65 percent, electromagnetic waves are not easily propagated. This study focuses on the ultrasound network through body sensors through a closed loop of mathematical modeling, simulation, and experimental evaluation.
“This is a biomedical advancement that can revolutionize how we take care of people suffering from the major diseases of our time,” said Tommaso Melodia, Ph.D., assistant professor of electrical engineering at UB.
Dr. Melodia is supported by a CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for its research "Towards an ultrasound network for an implantable biomedical device." The NSF Career grant is considered a very respected award and will last 5 years.
“Think about how the Navy uses sonar to communicate between submarines and detect enemy ships,” Melody said. "The same principle applies only to ultrasound sensors that are small enough to work together inside the human body and more effectively help to cure diseases."
“We really just scratch the surface of what's possible. There are many potential applications, ”he said.
The study will focus on several areas:
- Create a test bench and evaluate it with the help of an ultrasound network simulator and network protocol transmission for sensors inside the case,
- Create the first existing reconfigurable bench for the experimental evaluation of ultrasound networks.
- The project will also create a scientific program in the field of ultrasonic networks and its applications; new course of graduates / masters in acoustic / ultrasound systems; and the expansion of technology in this area.
Melody is a member of the Signals, Communications and Networking Research research group in the electrical engineering department of UB at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The group conducts research and development in the field of wireless communications and development, cognitive radio receivers, extreme environment communications, secure communications, data hiding, information theory and coding, adaptive signal processing, data compression, multimedia systems, magnetic resonance imaging and radar systems. To learn more about Dr. Melody's project: http://1.usa.gov/17y2njQ.
