US20110077501A1 - Micro mri unit - Google Patents
Micro mri unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110077501A1 US20110077501A1 US12/848,812 US84881210A US2011077501A1 US 20110077501 A1 US20110077501 A1 US 20110077501A1 US 84881210 A US84881210 A US 84881210A US 2011077501 A1 US2011077501 A1 US 2011077501A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bio
- medical unit
- unit
- magnetic field
- signal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H40/00—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices
- G16H40/60—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices
- G16H40/67—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for remote operation
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/05—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves
- A61B5/055—Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B6/00—Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
- A61K9/0002—Galenical forms characterised by the drug release technique; Application systems commanded by energy
- A61K9/0009—Galenical forms characterised by the drug release technique; Application systems commanded by energy involving or responsive to electricity, magnetism or acoustic waves; Galenical aspects of sonophoresis, iontophoresis, electroporation or electroosmosis
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M31/00—Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body
- A61M31/002—Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M37/00—Other apparatus for introducing media into the body; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
- A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
- A61N1/325—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N2/00—Magnetotherapy
- A61N2/002—Magnetotherapy in combination with another treatment
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H10/00—ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data
- G16H10/60—ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
- G16H10/65—ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H20/00—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
- G16H20/10—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
- G16H20/13—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients delivered from dispensers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H20/00—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance
- G16H20/10—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
- G16H20/17—ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans, e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients delivered via infusion or injection
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
- G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- G16H40/00—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices
- G16H40/60—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices
- G16H40/63—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for local operation
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/02—Details
- H04L12/10—Current supply arrangements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M37/00—Other apparatus for introducing media into the body; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin
- A61M2037/0007—Other apparatus for introducing media into the body; Percutany, i.e. introducing medicines into the body by diffusion through the skin having means for enhancing the permeation of substances through the epidermis, e.g. using suction or depression, electric or magnetic fields, sound waves or chemical agents
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/35—Communication
- A61M2205/3507—Communication with implanted devices, e.g. external control
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/35—Communication
- A61M2205/3507—Communication with implanted devices, e.g. external control
- A61M2205/3523—Communication with implanted devices, e.g. external control using telemetric means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
- A61M2205/35—Communication
- A61M2205/3576—Communication with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver
- A61M2205/3592—Communication with non implanted data transmission devices, e.g. using external transmitter or receiver using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
- Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
- Y02D30/50—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to medical equipment and more particularly to wireless medical equipment.
- RFID radio frequency identification
- robotics etc.
- RFID technology has been used for in vitro use to store patient information for easy access. While such in vitro applications have begun, the technical advancement in this area is in its infancy.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an artificial body part in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a bio-medical unit in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a power harvesting module in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a power harvesting module in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a power harvesting module in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power boost module in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 20 is a diagram of another example of a communication protocol within a system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 21 is a diagram of an embodiment of a micro MRI unit in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 22 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for execution by a processing module in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 23 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for MMW communications within a MRI sequence in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 24 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for processing of MRI signals in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 25 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for communication utilizing MRI signals in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 26 is a diagram of another embodiment of a micro MRI unit in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system that includes a plurality of bio-medical units 10 embedded within a body and/or placed on the surface of the body to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and/or data collections.
- Each of the bio-medical units 10 is a passive device (e.g., it does not include a power source (e.g., a battery)) and, as such, includes a power harvesting module.
- the bio-medical units 10 may also include one or more of memory, a processing module, and functional modules. Alternatively, or in addition to, each of the bio-medical units 10 may include a rechargeable power source.
- the transmitter 12 communicates with one or more of the bio-medical units 10 .
- the electromagnetic signals 16 may have a frequency in the range of a few MHz to 900 MHz and the communication with the bio-medical units 10 is modulated on the electromagnetic signals 16 at a much higher frequency (e.g., 5 GHz to 300 GHz).
- the communication with the bio-medical units 10 may occur during gaps (e.g., per protocol of medical equipment or injected for communication) of transmitting the electromagnetic signals 16 .
- the communication signals 18 may be instructions to collect data, to transmit collected data, to move the unit's position in the body, to perform a function, to administer a treatment, etc. If the received communication signals 18 require a response, the bio-medical unit 10 prepares an appropriate response and transmits it to the receiver 14 using a similar communication convention used by the transmitter 12 .
- FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes a plurality of bio-medical units 10 embedded within a body and/or placed on the surface of the body to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and/or data collections.
- Each of the bio-medical units 10 is a passive device and, as such, includes a power harvesting module.
- the bio-medical units 10 may also include one or more of memory, a processing module, and functional modules.
- the person is placed in an MRI machine (fixed or portable) that generates a magnetic field 26 through which the MRI transmitter 20 transmits MRI signals 28 to the MRI receiver 22 .
- a communication device 24 communicates data and/or control communications 30 with one or more of the bio-medical units 10 over one or more wireless links.
- the communication device 24 may be a separate device from the MRI machine or integrated into the MRI machine.
- the communication device 24 may be a cellular telephone, a computer with a wireless interface (e.g., a WLAN station and/or access point, Bluetooth, a proprietary protocol, etc.), etc.
- a wireless link may be one or more frequencies in the ISM band, in the 60 GHz frequency band, the ultrasound frequency band, and/or other frequency bands that supports one or more communication protocols (e.g., data modulation schemes, beamforming, RF or MMW modulation, encoding, error correction, etc.).
- FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of an artificial body part 32 including one or more bio-medical units 10 that may be surgically implanted into a body.
- the artificial body part 32 may be a pace maker, a breast implant, a joint replacement, an artificial bone, splints, fastener devices (e.g., screws, plates, pins, sutures, etc.), artificial organ, etc.
- the artificial body part 32 may be permanently embedded in the body or temporarily embedded into the body.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an artificial body part 32 that includes one or more bio-medical units 10 .
- one bio-medical unit 10 may be used to detect infections, the body's acceptance of the artificial body part 32 , measure localized body temperature, monitor performance of the artificial body part 32 , and/or data gathering for other diagnostics.
- Another bio-medical unit 10 may be used for deployment of treatment (e.g., disperse medication, apply electrical stimulus, apply RF radiation, apply laser stimulus, etc.).
- Yet another bio-medical unit 10 may be used to adjust the position of the artificial body part 32 and/or a setting of the artificial body part 32 .
- a bio-medical unit 10 may be used to mechanically adjust the tension of a splint, screws, etc.
- a bio-medical unit 10 may be used to adjust an electrical setting of the artificial body part 32 .
- FIG. 5 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes a plurality of bio-medical units 10 and one or more communication devices 24 coupled to a wide area network (WAN) communication device 34 (e.g., a cable modem, DSL modem, base station, access point, hot spot, etc.).
- the WAN communication device 34 is coupled to a network 42 (e.g., cellular telephone network, internet, etc.), which has coupled to it a plurality of remote monitors 36 , a plurality of databases 40 , and a plurality of computers 38 .
- the communication device 24 includes a processing module and a wireless transceiver module (e.g., one or more transceivers) and may function similarly to communication module 48 as described in FIG. 8 ,
- a bio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module, a communication module, and one or more functional modules.
- the power harvesting module operable to produce a supply voltage from a received electromagnetic power signal (e.g., the electromagnetic signal 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2 , the MRI signals of one or more the subsequent figures).
- the communication module and the at least one functional module are powered by the supply voltage.
- the communication device 24 receives a downstream WAN signal from the network 42 via the WAN communication device 34 .
- the downstream WAN signal may be generated by a remote monitoring device 36 , a remote diagnostic device (e.g., computer 38 performing a remote diagnostic function), a remote control device (e.g., computer 38 performing a remote control function), and/or a medical record storage device (e.g., database 40 ).
- the communication device 24 converts the downstream WAN signal into a downstream data signal.
- the communication device 24 may convert the downstream WAN signal into a symbol stream in accordance with one or more wireless communication protocols (e.g., GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, HSUPA, HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.).
- the communication device 24 may convert the symbol stream into the downstream data signal using the same or a different wireless communication protocol.
- the communication device 24 may convert the symbol stream into data that it interprets to determine how to structure the communication with the bio-medical unit 10 and/or what data (e.g., instructions, commands, digital information, etc.) to include in the downstream data signal. Having determined how to structure and what to include in the downstream data signal, the communication device 24 generates the downstream data signal in accordance with one or more wireless communication protocols. As yet another alternative, the communication device 24 may function as a relay, which provides the downstream WAN signal as the downstream data signal to the one or more bio-medical units 10 .
- the communication device 24 When the communication device 24 has (and/or is processing) the downstream data signal to send to the bio-medical unit, it sets up a communication with the bio-medical unit.
- the set up may include identifying the particular bio-medical unit(s), determining the communication protocol used by the identified bio-medical unit(s), sending a signal to an electromagnetic device (e.g., MRI device, etc.) to request that it generates the electromagnetic power signal to power the bio-medical unit, and/or initiate a communication in accordance with the identified communication protocol.
- an electromagnetic device e.g., MRI device, etc.
- the communication device may include an electromagnetic device to create the electromagnetic power signal.
- the communication device 24 wirelessly communicates the downstream data signal to the communication module of the bio-medical unit 10 .
- the functional module of the bio-medical unit 10 processes the downstream data contained in the downstream data signal to perform a bio-medical functional, to store digital information contained in the downstream data, to administer a treatment (e.g., administer a medication, apply laser stimulus, apply electrical stimulus, etc.), to collect a sample (e.g., blood, tissue, cell, etc.), to perform a micro electro-mechanical function, and/or to collect data.
- a treatment e.g., administer a medication, apply laser stimulus, apply electrical stimulus, etc.
- a sample e.g., blood, tissue, cell, etc.
- micro electro-mechanical function e.g., blood, tissue, cell, etc.
- the bio-medical function may include capturing a digital image, capturing a radio frequency (e.g., 300 MHz to 300 GHz) radar image, an ultrasound image, a tissue sample, and/or a measurement (e.g., blood pressure, temperature, pulse, blood-oxygen level, blood sugar level, etc.).
- a radio frequency e.g., 300 MHz to 300 GHz
- an ultrasound image e.g., an ultrasound image
- tissue sample e.g., a tissue sample
- a measurement e.g., blood pressure, temperature, pulse, blood-oxygen level, blood sugar level, etc.
- one or more of the bio-medical units 10 may read and/or write data from or to one or more of the databases 40 .
- data e.g., a blood sample analysis
- the communication device 24 and/or one of the computers 36 may control the writing of data to or the reading of data from the database(s) 40 .
- the data may further include medical records, medical images, prescriptions, etc.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes a plurality of bio-medical units 10 .
- the bio-medical units 10 can communicate with each other directly and/or communicate with the communication device 24 directly.
- the communication medium may be an infrared channel(s), an RF channel(s), a MMW channel(s), and/or ultrasound.
- the units may use a communication protocol such as token passing, carrier sense, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, etc.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes a plurality of bio-medical units 10 .
- one of the bio-medical units 44 functions as an access point for the other units.
- the designated unit 44 routes communications between the units 10 and between one or more units 10 and the communication device 24 .
- the communication medium may be an infrared channel(s), an RF channel(s), a MMW channel(s), and/or ultrasound.
- the units 10 may use a communication protocol such as token passing, carrier sense, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, etc.
- the processing module 50 may have an associated memory 52 and/or memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of the processing module.
- a memory device 52 may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.
- the processing module 50 includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).
- the processing module 50 implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry
- the memory and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.
- the memory element stores, and the processing module executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in FIGS. 1-26 .
- the inbound symbol may include phase information (e.g., +/ ⁇ [phase shift] and/or ⁇ (t) [phase modulation]) and/or frequency information (e.g., +/ ⁇ f [frequency shift] and/or f(t) [frequency modulation]).
- the inbound RF or MMW signal includes amplitude information (e.g., +/ ⁇ A [amplitude shift] and/or A(t) [amplitude modulation]).
- the receiver section includes an amplitude detector such as an envelope detector, a low pass filter, etc.
- the processing module 50 converts the electro-mechanical response into an outbound symbol stream, which may be done in accordance with one or more wireless communication standards (e.g., GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, HSUPA, HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.).
- wireless communication standards e.g., GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, HSUPA, HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.
- Such a conversion includes one or more of: scrambling, puncturing, encoding, interleaving, constellation mapping, modulation, frequency spreading, frequency hopping, beamforming, space-time-block encoding, space-frequency-block
- a transmitter section of the communication module 48 converts an outbound symbol stream into an outbound RF or MMW signal 60 that has a carrier frequency within a given frequency band (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz, 5 GHz, 57-66 GHz, etc.). In an embodiment, this may be done by mixing the outbound symbol stream with a local oscillation to produce an up-converted signal.
- One or more power amplifiers and/or power amplifier drivers amplifies the up-converted signal, which may be RF or MMW bandpass filtered, to produce the outbound RF or MMW signal 60 .
- the transmitter section includes an oscillator that produces an oscillation.
- the outbound symbol stream provides phase information (e.g., +/ ⁇ [phase shift] and/or ⁇ (t) [phase modulation]) that adjusts the phase of the oscillation to produce a phase adjusted RF or MMW signal, which is transmitted as the outbound RF signal 60 .
- the outbound symbol stream includes amplitude information (e.g., A(t) [amplitude modulation]), which is used to adjust the amplitude of the phase adjusted RF or MMW signal to produce the outbound RF or MMW signal 60 .
- the bio-medical unit 10 may be encapsulated by an encapsulate 58 that is non-toxic to the body.
- the encapsulate 58 may be a silicon based product, a non-ferromagnetic metal alloy (e.g., stainless steel), etc.
- the encapsulate 58 may include a spherical shape and have a ferromagnetic liner that shields the unit from a magnetic field and to offset the forces of the magnetic field.
- the bio-medical unit 10 may be implemented on a single die that has an area of a few millimeters or less. The die may be fabricated in accordance with CMOS technology, Gallium-Arsenide technology, and/or any other integrated circuit die fabrication process.
- one of the functional modules 54 functions as a first micro-electro mechanical module and another one of the functions modules 54 functions as a second micro-electro mechanical module.
- the bio-medical unit is implanted into a host body (e.g., a person, an animal, a reptile, etc.) at a position proximal to a body object to be monitored and/or have an image taken thereof.
- the body object may be a vein, an artery, an organ, a cyst (or other growth), etc.
- the bio-medical unit may be positioned approximately parallel to the flow of blood in a vein, artery, and/or the heart.
- the first micro-electro mechanical module When powered by the supply voltage, the first micro-electro mechanical module generates and transmits a wireless signal at, or around, the body object.
- the second micro-electro mechanical module receives a representation of the wireless signal (e.g., a reflection of the wireless signal, a refraction of the wireless signal, or a determined absorption of the wireless signal).
- the wireless signal may be an ultrasound signal, a radio frequency signal, and/or a millimeter wave signal.
- the processing module 50 may coordinate the transmitting of the wireless signal and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal. For example, the processing module may receive, via the communication module, a command to enable the transmitting of the wireless signal (e.g., an ultrasound signal) and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal. In response, the processing module generates a control signal that it provides to the first micro-electro mechanical module to enable it to transmit the wireless signal.
- a command to enable the transmitting of the wireless signal (e.g., an ultrasound signal) and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal.
- the processing module generates a control signal that it provides to the first micro-electro mechanical module to enable it to transmit the wireless signal.
- the processing module may generate flow monitoring data based on the second micro-electro mechanical module receiving of the representation of the wireless signal.
- the processing module calculates a fluid flow rate based on phase shifting and/or frequency shifting between the transmitting of the wireless signal and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal.
- the processing module gathers phase shifting data and/or frequency shifting data based on the transmitting of the wireless signal and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal.
- the processing module may further generate imaging data based on the second micro-electro mechanical module receiving the representation of the wireless signal.
- the processing module calculates an image of the body object based absorption of the wireless signal by the body object and/or vibration of the body object.
- the processing module gathers data regarding the absorption of the wireless signal by the body object and/or of the vibration of the body object.
- a bio-medical unit may include one or the other module.
- a bio-medical unit may include a micro-electro mechanical module for transmitting a wireless signal, where the receiver is external to the body or in another bio-medical unit.
- a bio-medical unit may include a micro-electro mechanical module for receiving a representation of a wireless signal, where the transmitter is external to the body or another bio-medical unit.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power harvesting module 46 that includes an array of on-chip air core inductors 64 , a rectifying circuit 66 , capacitors, and a regulation circuit 68 .
- the inductors 64 may each having an inductance of a few nano-Henries to a few micro-Henries and may be coupled in series, in parallel, or a series parallel combination.
- the MRI transmitter 20 transmits MRI signals 28 at a frequency of 3-45 MHz at a power level of up to 35 KWatts.
- the air core inductors 64 are electromagnetically coupled to generate a voltage from the magnetic and/or electric field generated by the MRI signals 28 .
- the air core inductors 64 may generate a voltage from the magnetic field 26 and changes thereof produced by the gradient coils.
- the rectifying circuit 66 rectifies the AC voltage produced by the inductors to produce a first DC voltage.
- the regulation circuit generates one or more desired supply voltages 56 from the first DC voltage.
- the inductors 64 may be implemented on one more metal layers of the die and include one or more turns per layer. Note that trace thickness, trace length, and other physical properties affect the resulting inductance.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a power harvesting module 46 that includes a plurality of on-chip air core inductors 70 , a plurality of switching units (S), a rectifying circuit 66 , a capacitor, and a switch controller 72 .
- the inductors 70 may each having an inductance of a few nano-Henries to a few micro-Henries and may be coupled in series, in parallel, or a series parallel combination.
- the MRI transmitter 20 transmits MRI signals 28 at a frequency of 3-45 MHz at a power level of up to 35 KWatts.
- the air core inductors 70 are electromagnetically coupled to generate a voltage from the magnetic and/or electric field generated by the MRI signals 28 .
- the switching module 72 engages the switches via control signals 74 to couple the inductors 70 in series and/or parallel to generate a desired AC voltage.
- the rectifier circuit 66 and the capacitor(s) convert the desired AC voltage into the one or more supply voltages 56 .
- FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a power harvesting module 46 that includes a plurality of Hall effect devices 76 , a power combining module 78 , and a capacitor(s).
- the Hall effect devices 76 generate a voltage based on the constant magnetic field (H) and/or a varying magnetic field.
- the power combining module 78 e.g., a wire, a switch network, a transistor network, a diode network, etc.
- FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a power harvesting module 46 that includes a plurality of piezoelectric devices 82 , a power combining module 78 , and a capacitor(s).
- the piezoelectric devices 82 generate a voltage based on body movement, ultrasound signals, movement of body fluids, etc.
- the power combining module 78 e.g., a wire, a switch network, a transistor network, a diode network, etc.
- the piezoelectric devices 82 may include one or more of a piezoelectric motor, a piezoelectric actuator, a piezoelectric sensor, and/or a piezoelectric high voltage device.
- the various embodiments of the power harvesting module 46 may be combined to generate more power, more supply voltages, etc.
- the embodiment of FIG. 9 may be combined with one or more of the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12 .
- FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power boost module 84 that harvests energy from MRI signals 28 and converts the energy into continuous wave (CW) RF (e.g., up to 3 GHz) and/or MMW (e.g., up to 300 GHz) signals 92 to provide power to the implanted bio-medical units 10 .
- the power boost module 84 sits on the body of the person under test or treatment and includes an electromagnetic power harvesting module 86 and a continuous wave generator 88 .
- the power boosting module 84 can recover significantly more energy than a bio-medical unit 10 since it can be significantly larger.
- a bio-medical unit 10 may have an area of a few millimeters squared while the power boosting module 84 may have an area of a few to tens of centimeters squared.
- FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an electromagnetic (EM)) power harvesting module 86 that includes inductors, diodes (or transistors) and a capacitor.
- the inductors may each be a few mili-Henries such that the power boost module can deliver up to 10's of mili-watts of power.
- the one or more functional modules 54 may perform a repair function, an imaging function, and/or a leakage detection function, which may utilize one or more of a motion propulsion module 96 , a camera module 98 , a sampling robotics module 100 , a treatment robotics module 102 , an accelerometer module 104 , a flow meter module 106 , a transducer module 108 , a gyroscope module 110 , a high voltage generator module 112 , a control release robotics module 114 , and/or other functional modules described with reference to one or more other figures.
- the functional modules 54 may be implemented using MEMS technology and/or nanotechnology.
- the camera module 98 may be implemented as a digital image sensor in MEMS technology.
- the Hall effect communication module 116 utilizes variations in the magnetic field and/or electrical field to produce a plus or minus voltage, which can be encoded to convey information.
- the charge applied to one or more Hall effect devices 76 may be varied to produce the voltage change.
- an MRI transmitter 20 and/or gradient unit may modulate a signal on the magnetic field 26 it generates to produce variations in the magnetic field 26 .
- FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes one or more bio-medical units 10 , a transmitter unit 126 , and a receiver unit 128 .
- Each of the bio-medical units 10 includes a power harvesting module 46 , a MMW transceiver 138 , a processing module 50 , and memory 52 .
- the transmitter unit 126 includes a MRI transmitter 130 and a MMW transmitter 132 .
- the receiver unit 128 includes a MRI receiver 134 and a MMW receiver 136 . Note that the MMW transmitter 132 and MMW receiver 136 may be in the same unit (e.g., in the transmitter unit, in the receiver unit, or housed in a separate device).
- the bio-medical unit 10 recovers power from the electromagnetic (EM) signals 146 transmitted by the MRI transmitter 130 and communicates via MMW signals 148 - 150 with the MMW transmitter 132 and MMW receiver 136 .
- the MRI transmitter 130 may be part of a portable MRI device, may be part of a full sized MRI machine, and/or part of a separate device for generating EM signals 146 for powering the bio-medical unit 10 .
- FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example of a communication protocol within the system of FIG. 17 .
- the MRI transmitter 20 transmits RF signals 152 , which have a frequency in the range of 3-45 MHz, at various intervals with varying signal strengths.
- the power harvesting module 46 of the bio-medical units 10 may use these signals to generate power for the bio-medical unit 10 .
- a constant magnetic field and various gradient magnetic fields 154 - 164 are created (one or more in the x dimension Gx, one or more in the y dimension Gy, and one or more in the z direction Gz).
- the power harvesting module 46 of the bio-medical unit 10 may further use the constant magnetic field and/or the varying magnetic fields 154 - 164 to create power for the bio-medical unit 10 .
- the bio-medical unit 10 may communicate 168 with the MMW transmitter 132 and/or MMW receiver 136 .
- the bio-medical unit 10 alternates from generating power to MMW communication in accordance with the conventional transmission-magnetic field pattern of an MRI machine.
- FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system includes one or more bio-medical units 10 , a transmitter unit 126 , and a receiver unit 128 .
- Each of the bio-medical units 10 includes a power harvesting module 46 , an EM transceiver 174 , a processing module 50 , and memory 52 .
- the transmitter unit 126 includes a MRI transmitter 130 and electromagnetic (EM) modulator 170 .
- the receiver unit 128 includes a MRI receiver 134 and an EM demodulator 172 .
- the transmitter unit 126 and receiver unit 128 may be part of a portable MRI device, may be part of a full sized MRI machine, or part of a separate device for generating EM signals for powering the bio-medical unit 10 .
- the MRI transmitter 130 generates an electromagnetic signal that is received by the EM modulator 170 .
- the EM modulator 170 modulates a communication signal on the EM signal to produce an inbound modulated EM signal 176 .
- the EM modulator 170 may modulate (e.g., amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, amplitude shift keying, frequency shift keying, etc.) the magnetic field and/or electric field of the EM signal.
- the EM modulator 170 may modulate the magnetic fields produced by the gradient coils to produce the inbound modulated EM signals 176 .
- the bio-medical unit 10 recovers power from the modulated electromagnetic (EM) signals.
- the EM transceiver 174 demodulates the modulated EM signals 178 to recover the communication signal.
- the EM transceiver 174 modulates an outbound communication signal to produce outbound modulated EM signals 180 .
- the EM transceiver 174 is generating an EM signal that, in air, is modulated on the EM signal transmitted by the transmitter unit 126 .
- the communication in this system is half duplex such that the modulation of the inbound and outbound communication signals is at the same frequency.
- the modulation of the inbound and outbound communication signals are at different frequencies to enable full duplex communication.
- FIG. 20 is a diagram of another example of a communication protocol within the system of FIG. 19 .
- the MRI transmitter 20 transmits RF signals 152 , which have a frequency in the range of 3-45 MHz, at various intervals with varying signal strengths.
- the power harvesting module 46 of the bio-medical units 10 may use these signals to generate power for the bio-medical unit 10 .
- a constant magnetic field and various gradient magnetic fields are created 154-164 (one or more in the x dimension Gx, one or more in the y dimension Gy, and one or more in the z direction Gz).
- the power harvesting module 46 of the bio-medical unit 10 may further use the constant magnetic field and/or the varying magnetic fields 154 - 164 to create power for the bio-medical unit 10 .
- the bio-medical unit 10 may communicate via the modulated EM signals 182 .
- the bio-medical unit 10 generates power and communicates in accordance with the conventional transmission-magnetic field pattern of an MRI machine.
- a constant magnetic field is applied to a particular part of a host body, which contains a body object of interest.
- the constant magnetic field is of strength to change the magnetic moments of the photons of some of the molecules of the body object (e.g., organ, tissue, blood, tendon, etc.) such that they align with the direction of the field.
- one or more constant magnetic field bio-medical units 410 and/or an external source may generate the constant magnetic field.
- it frequency increases correspondingly.
- the transmitting bio-medical unit transmit a varying radio frequency (RF) signal in a direction of the body object.
- the varying RF signal has a frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency of the photons and is enabled for a short duration (e.g., less than a few seconds) to flip the spin of the aligned protons.
- the transmit power e.g., the intensity
- the on duration of the RF signal is varied to varying the number of protons that flip their spin. For instance, the greater the intensity and/or duration, the spin of more aligned protons will flip.
- the RF signal is turned off, the protons decay to their original spin-down state. The difference in energy between the two states is released as a photon, which provides the representation of the RF signal that the receiving bio-medical unit detects.
- the one or more gradient magnetic field bio-medical units 412 - 1 through 412 - 3 generate one or more gradient magnetic fields in an area proximal to the body object.
- the gradient magnetic fields may be in one or more dimensions of a three-dimensional space.
- one of the gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a gradient magnetic field along a first axis of a three-dimensional axis system (e.g., the x axis), a second gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a second gradient magnetic field along a second axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a y axis), and a third gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a third gradient magnetic field along a third axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a z axis).
- a third gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a third gradient magnetic field along a third axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a z axis).
- the receiving bio-medical unit receives a representation of the varying RF signal (e.g., the energy difference as the protons decay to their original spin-down state).
- the receiving bio-medical unit then processes the representation of the varying RF signal to produce a processed signal.
- the processing may be to packetize data representing the energy differences, where the packetized data constitutes the processed signal.
- a processing module of the receiving bio-medical unit generates image data based on the protons in the different tissues of the body object returning to their equilibrium state at different rates.
- FIG. 22 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for controlling power harvesting within a bio-medical unit 10 .
- the method begins at step 418 wherein the processing module 50 of the bio-medical unit 10 initializes (e.g., when it is supplied power and wakes up) itself.
- the processing module 50 executes an initialization boot sequence stored in the memory 52 .
- the initialization boot sequence includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to initialize its registers to accept further instructions.
- the initialization boot sequence may further include operational instructions to initialize one or more of the communication module 48 , the functional module(s) 54 initialized, etc.
- step 420 the processing module 50 determines the state of the bio-medical unit (e.g., actively involved in a task, inactive, data gathering, performing a function, etc.). Such a determination may be based on one or more of previous state(s) (e.g., when the processing module was stopped prior to losing power), an input from the functional module 54 , a list of steps or elements of a task, the current step of a MRI sequence, and/or new tasks received via the communication module 48 .
- the state of the bio-medical unit e.g., actively involved in a task, inactive, data gathering, performing a function, etc.
- Such a determination may be based on one or more of previous state(s) (e.g., when the processing module was stopped prior to losing power), an input from the functional module 54 , a list of steps or elements of a task, the current step of a MRI sequence, and/or new tasks received via the communication module 48 .
- step 422 the processing module 50 determines the bio-medical unit power level, which may be done by measuring the power harvesting module 46 output Vdd 56 .
- voltage is one proxy for the power level and that other proxies may be utilized including estimation of milliWatt-hours available, a time of operation before loss of operating power estimate, a number of CPU instructions estimate, a number of task elements, a number of tasks estimate, and/or another other estimator to assist in determining how much the bio-medical unit 10 can accomplish prior to losing power.
- the processing module 50 may save historic records of power utilization in the memory 52 to assist in subsequent determinations of the power level.
- the method continues at step 424 where the processing module 50 compares the power level to the high threshold (e.g., a first available power level that allows for a certain level of processing). If yes, the method continues to step 426 where the processing module 50 enables the execution of H number of instructions.
- the processing module 50 may utilize a predetermined static value of the H instructions or a dynamic value that changes as a result of the historic records. For example, the historic records may indicate that there was an average of 20% more power capacity left over after the last ten times of instruction execution upon initialization.
- the processing module 50 may adjust the value of H upward such that the on-going left over power is less than 20% in order to more fully utilize the available power each time the bio-medical unit 10 has power.
- step 428 the processing module 50 saves the state in the memory 52 upon completion of the execution of the H instructions such that the processing module 50 can start in a state in accordance with this state upon the next initialization.
- step 430 the processing module 50 determines whether it will suspend operations based on one or more of a re-determined power level (e.g., power left after executing the instructions), a predetermined list, a task priority, a task state, a priority indicator, a command, a message, and/or a functional module input. If not, the method repeats at step 422 . If yes, the method branches to step 440 where the processing module 50 suspends operations of the bio-medical unit.
- a re-determined power level e.g., power left after executing the instructions
- step 424 the method continues at step 432 where the processing module 50 determines whether the power level compares favorably to a low threshold. If not, the method continues a step 440 where the processing module 50 suspends operations of the bio-medical unit.
- the method continues at step 434 where the processing module 50 executes L instructions.
- the processing module 50 may utilize a predetermined static value of the L instructions or a dynamic value that changes as a result of the historic records as discussed previously.
- the historic records may indicate that there was an average of 10% more power capacity left over after the last ten times of instruction execution upon initialization.
- the processing module 50 may adjust the value of L downward such that the on-going left over power is less than 10% in order to more fully utilize the available power each time the bio-medical unit 10 has power.
- step 436 the processing module 50 saves the state in the memory 52 upon completion of the execution of the L instructions such that the processing module 50 can start in a state in accordance with this state upon the next initialization.
- step 438 the processing module 50 determines whether it will suspend operations based on one or more of a re-determined power level (e.g., power left after executing the instructions), a predetermined list, a task priority, a task state, a priority indicator, a command, a message, and/or a functional module input. If yes, the method branches to step 440 . If not, the method repeats at step 422 .
- a re-determined power level e.g., power left after executing the instructions
- FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating MMW communications within a MRI sequence where the processing module 50 determines MMW communications in accordance with an MRI sequence.
- the method begins at step 442 where the processing module 50 determines whether the MRI is active based on receiving MRI EM signals.
- the method branches to step 446 or step 448 .
- the processing module 50 performs MMW communications as previously discussed.
- the method continues at step 448 where the processing module 50 determines the MRI sequence based on received MRI EM signals (e.g., gradient pulses and/or MRI RF pulses as shown in one or more of the preceding figures).
- the method continues at step 450 where the processing module 50 determines whether it is time to perform receive MMW communication in accordance with the MRI sequence.
- the MMW transceiver 138 may receive MMW inbound signals 148 between any of the MRI sequence steps.
- the MMW transceiver 138 may receive MMW inbound signals 148 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence.
- step 452 the method branches back to step 450 or to step 454 .
- the processing module 50 coordinates the MMW transceiver 138 receiving the MMW inbound signals, which may include one or more of a status request, a records request, a sensor data request, a processed data request, a position request, a command, and/or a request for MRI echo signal data.
- the method then continues at step 456 where the processing module 50 determines whether there is at least one message pending to transmit (e.g., in a transmit queue).
- the method branches back to step 442 or to step 460 .
- the processing module 50 determines when it is time to transmit a MMW communication in accordance with the MRI sequence.
- the MMW transceiver 138 may transmit MMW outbound signals 150 between any of the MRI sequence steps.
- the MMW transceiver 138 may transmit MMW outbound signals 150 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence.
- the method branches to back step 456 or to step 464 .
- the method continues at step 464 where the processing module 50 coordinates the MMW transceiver 138 transmitting the MMW outbound signals 150 , which may include one or more of a status request response, a records request response, a sensor data request response, a processed data request response, a position request response, a command response, and/or a request for MRI echo signal data response.
- the method then branches back to step 442 .
- FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of MRI signals where the processing module 50 of the bio-medical unit 10 may assist the MRI in the reception and processing of MRI EM signals 146 .
- the method begins at step 466 where the processing module 50 determines if the MRI is active based on receiving MRI EM signals 146 .
- the method branches back to step 466 when the processing module 50 determines that the MRI is not active. For example, the MRI sequence may not start until the processing module 50 communicates to the MRI unit that it is available to assist.
- the method continues to step 470 when the processing module 50 determines that the MRI is active.
- the processing module 50 determines the MRI sequence based on received MRI EM signals 146 (e.g., gradient pulses and/or MRI RF pulses).
- the processing module receives EM signals 146 and/or MMW communication 532 in accordance with the MRI sequence and decodes a message.
- the MMW transceiver 138 may receive MMW inbound signals 148 between any of the MRI sequence steps.
- the MMW transceiver 138 may receive MMW inbound signals 148 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence.
- the processing module 50 may receive EM signals 146 at any point of the MRI sequence such that the EM signals 146 contain a message for the processing module 50 .
- the processing module 50 determines whether to assist in the MRI sequence based in part on the decoded message. The determination may be based on a comparison of the assist request to the capabilities of the bio-medical unit 10 .
- the method branches to step 480 when the processing module 50 determines to assist in the MRI sequence. The method continues at step 478 where the processing module 50 performs other instructions contained in the message and the method ends.
- the processing module 50 begins the assist steps by receiving echo signals 530 during the MRI sequence.
- the echo signals 530 may comprise EM RF signals across a wide frequency band as reflected off of tissue during the MRI sequence.
- the processing module 50 processes the received echo signals 530 to produce processed echo signals. Note that this may be a portion of the overall processing required to lead to the desired MRI imaging.
- the processing module 50 determines the assist type based on the decoded message from the MRI unit.
- the assist type may be at least passive or active where the passive type collects echo signal 530 information and sends it to the MRI unit via MMW outbound signals 150 and the active type collects echo signal information and re-generates a form of the echo signals 530 and sends the re-generated echo signals to the MRI unit via outbound modulated EM signals (e.g., the MRI unit interprets the re-generated echo signals as echo signals to improve the overall system gain and sensitivity).
- the method branches to step 494 when the processing module 50 determines the assist type to be active.
- the method continues to step 486 when the processing module 50 determines the assist type to be passive.
- the processing module 50 creates an echo message based on the processed echo signals where the echo message contains information about the echo signals 530 .
- the processing module 50 determines when it is time to transmit the echo message encoded as MMW outbound signals 150 via MMW communication in accordance with the MRI sequence.
- the MMW transceiver 138 may transmit MMW outbound signals 150 between any of the MRI sequence steps.
- the MMW transceiver 138 may transmit MMW outbound signals 150 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence.
- step 490 the method branches back to step 488 when the processing module 50 determines that it is not time to transmit the echo message.
- the method continues to step 492 where the processing module 50 transmits the echo message encoded as MMW outbound signals 150 .
- the processing module 50 creates echo signals based on the processed echo signals.
- the processing module 50 determines when it is time to transmit the echo signals as outbound modulated EM signals 180 in accordance with the MRI sequence.
- the method branches back to step 496 when the processing module 50 determines that it is not time to transmit the echo signals.
- the method continues to step 500 where the processing module 50 transmits the echo signals encoded as outbound modulated EM signals 180 .
- the transmitted echo signals emulate the received echo signals 530 with improvements to overcome low MRI power levels and/or low MRI receiver sensitivity.
- FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating communication utilizing MRI signals where the processing module 50 determines MMW signaling in accordance with an MRI sequence.
- the method begins at step 502 where the processing module 50 determines if the MRI is active based on receiving MRI EM signals 146 .
- the method branches to step 508 when the processing module 50 determines that the MRI is active.
- the method continues to step 506 when the processing module 50 determines that the MRI is not active.
- the processing module 50 queues pending transmit messages. The method branches to step 502 .
- the processing module 50 determines the MRI sequence based on received MRI EM signals 146 (e.g., gradient pulses and/or MRI RF pulses).
- the processing module 50 determines when it is time to perform receive communication in accordance with the MRI sequence.
- the EM transceiver 174 may receive inbound modulated EM signals 146 containing message information from any of the MRI sequence steps.
- the method branches back to step 510 when the processing module 50 determines that it is not time to perform receive communication.
- the method continues to step 514 where the processing module 50 directs the EM transceiver 174 to receive the inbound modulated EM signals.
- the processing module 50 may decode messages from the inbound modulated EM signals 146 such that the messages include one or more of a echo signal collection assist request, a status request, a records request, a sensor data request, a processed data request, a position request, a command, and/or a request for MRI echo signal data.
- the message may be decoded from the inbound modulated EM signals 146 in one or more ways including detection of the ordering of the magnetic gradient pulses, counting the number of gradient pulses, the slice pulse orderings, detecting small differences in the timing of the pulses, and/or demodulation of the MRI RF pulse.
- the processing module 50 determines if there is at least one message pending to transmit (e.g., in a transmit queue).
- the method branches back to step 502 when the processing module 50 determines that there is not at least one message pending to transmit.
- the method continues to step 520 where the processing module 50 determines when it is time to perform transmit communication in accordance with the MRI sequence.
- the EM transceiver 174 may transmit outbound modulated EM signals 180 between any of the MRI sequence steps.
- the EM transceiver 174 may transmit the outbound modulated EM signals 180 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence.
- the EM transceiver 174 may transmit the outbound modulated EM signals 180 in parallel with specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence, but may utilize a different set of frequencies unique to the EM transceiver 174 .
- the method branches back to step 520 when the processing module 50 determines that it is not time to perform transmit communication.
- the method continues to step 524 where the processing module 50 directs the EM transceiver 174 to prepare the outbound modulated EM signals 180 based on the at least one message pending to transmit.
- the processing module 50 may encode messages into the outbound modulated EM signals 180 such that the messages include one or more of a status request response, a records request response, a sensor data request response, a processed data request response, a position request response, a command response, and/or a request for MRI echo signal data response.
- the method branches back to step 502 .
- FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of a micro MRI unit that includes one or more transmitting bio-medical units 406 , one or more receiving bio-medical units 408 , and one or more gradient bio-medical units 412 .
- the transmitting bio-medical unit 406 includes a power harvesting module 46 , a processing module 50 , a communication module 48 , a transmission module 550 , a beamforming module 552 , and an antenna array 554 .
- the receiving bio-medical unit 408 includes a power harvesting module 46 , a processing module 50 , a communication module 48 , a reception module 556 , a beamforming module 560 , and an antenna array 558 .
- the gradient bio-medical unit 412 includes a power harvesting module 46 and at least one adjustable coil 562 .
- the gradient bio-medical unit 412 may further include a processing module 50 and/or a communication module 48 .
- the transmitting bio-medical unit 406 , the receiving bio-medical unit 408 , and the gradient bio-medical unit 412 are positioned (in vivo and/or on the body) of a host body proximal to a body object 268 .
- a constant magnetic field is applied in the area proximal to the body object 268 by an external constant magnetic source and/or a constant magnetic field bio-medical unit (not shown in this figure).
- the one or more gradient magnetic field bio-medical units 412 - 1 through 412 - 3 generate one or more gradient magnetic fields in an area proximal to the body object by providing a varying current to the adjustable coil 562 (e.g., an inductor).
- the gradient magnetic fields may be in one or more dimensions of a three-dimensional space.
- one of the gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a gradient magnetic field along a first axis of a three-dimensional axis system (e.g., the x axis), a second gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a second gradient magnetic field along a second axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a y axis), and a third gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a third gradient magnetic field along a third axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a z axis).
- a third gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a third gradient magnetic field along a third axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a z axis).
- the transmission module 550 of the transmitting bio-medical unit 406 With the constant and gradient magnetic fields, the transmission module 550 of the transmitting bio-medical unit 406 generates a plurality of RF signals.
- the transmission module 550 includes a plurality of up-conversion modules that mix a reference signal with a local oscillation to produce the RF signals to have a frequency that corresponds to a resonance frequency of the photons.
- the transmission module 550 generates the RF signals at a particular power intensity and for a particular duration.
- the beamforming module 552 generates a plurality of phase angles to provide beamforming of the RF signals.
- the antenna array 554 e.g., two or more antennas
- the RF signals are combined in air in accordance with the phase angles to beamform the varying RF signal at the body object 268 .
- the antenna array 558 receives the varying RF signal in accordance with a plurality of phase angles to produce a plurality of received RF signals.
- the beamforming module 560 generate the plurality of phase angles, which correspond to the phase angles generated by the beamforming module 552 of the transmitting bio-medical unit and may account for the channel response between the two bio-medical units 406 and 408 .
- the reception module receives the plurality of RF signals and converts them into a baseband or near-baseband signal (e.g., an intermediate frequency of 0 to a few Mega-Hertz).
- the communication module outputs the baseband or near-baseband signal as the processed signal.
- the processing module 50 may further process the baseband or near-baseband signal to render MRI image data, which is subsequently transmitted by the communication module 48 to an external communication unit 24 or to another bio-medical unit.
- the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences.
- the term(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level.
- an intervening item e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module
- inferred coupling i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference
- the term “operable to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items.
- the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item.
- the term “compares favorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2 , a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1 .
Abstract
Description
- This patent application is claiming priority under 35 USC §119 to a provisionally filed patent application entitled BIO-MEDICAL UNIT AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF, having a provisional filing date of Sep. 30, 2009, and a provisional Ser. No. 61/247,060.
- NOT APPLICABLE
- NOT APPLICABLE
- 1. Technical Field of the Invention
- This invention relates generally to medical equipment and more particularly to wireless medical equipment.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- As is known, there is a wide variety of medical equipment that aids in the diagnosis, monitoring, and/or treatment of patients' medical conditions. For instances, there are diagnostic medical devices, therapeutic medical devices, life support medical devices, medical monitoring devices, medical laboratory equipment, etc. As specific exampled magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices produce images that illustrate the internal structure and function of a body.
- The advancement of medical equipment is in step with the advancements of other technologies (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID), robotics, etc.). Recently, RFID technology has been used for in vitro use to store patient information for easy access. While such in vitro applications have begun, the technical advancement in this area is in its infancy.
- The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operation that are further described in the following Brief Description of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of an artificial body part including one or more bio-medical units in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an artificial body part in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a bio-medical unit in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power harvesting module in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a power harvesting module in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a power harvesting module in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a power harvesting module in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a power boost module in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an electromagnetic (EM)) power harvesting module in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an electromagnetic (EM)) power harvesting module in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a bio-medical unit in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example of a communication protocol within a system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 20 is a diagram of another example of a communication protocol within a system in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 21 is a diagram of an embodiment of a micro MRI unit in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 22 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for execution by a processing module in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 23 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for MMW communications within a MRI sequence in accordance with the invention; -
FIG. 24 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for processing of MRI signals in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 25 is a logic diagram of an embodiment of a method for communication utilizing MRI signals in accordance with the present invention; and -
FIG. 26 is a diagram of another embodiment of a micro MRI unit in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system that includes a plurality ofbio-medical units 10 embedded within a body and/or placed on the surface of the body to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and/or data collections. Each of thebio-medical units 10 is a passive device (e.g., it does not include a power source (e.g., a battery)) and, as such, includes a power harvesting module. Thebio-medical units 10 may also include one or more of memory, a processing module, and functional modules. Alternatively, or in addition to, each of thebio-medical units 10 may include a rechargeable power source. - In operation, a
transmitter 12 emitselectromagnetic signals 16 that pass through the body and are received by areceiver 14. Thetransmitter 12 andreceiver 14 may be part of a piece of medical diagnostic equipment (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray, etc.) or independent components for stimulating and communicating with the network of bio-medical units in and/or on a body. One or more of thebio-medical units 10 receives the transmittedelectromagnetic signals 16 and generates a supply voltage therefrom. Examples of this will be described in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 8-12 . - Embedded within the electromagnetic signals 16 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signals, millimeter wave (MMW) signals, MRI signals, etc.) or via separate signals, the
transmitter 12 communicates with one or more of thebio-medical units 10. For example, theelectromagnetic signals 16 may have a frequency in the range of a few MHz to 900 MHz and the communication with thebio-medical units 10 is modulated on theelectromagnetic signals 16 at a much higher frequency (e.g., 5 GHz to 300 GHz). As another example, the communication with thebio-medical units 10 may occur during gaps (e.g., per protocol of medical equipment or injected for communication) of transmitting theelectromagnetic signals 16. As another example, the communication with thebio-medical units 10 occurs in a different frequency band and/or using a different transmission medium (e.g., use RF or MMW signals when the magnetic field of the electromagnetic signals are dominate, use ultrasound signals when theelectromagnetic signals 16 are RF and/or MMW signals, etc.). - One or more of the
bio-medical units 10 receives thecommunication signals 18 and processes them accordingly. Thecommunication signals 18 may be instructions to collect data, to transmit collected data, to move the unit's position in the body, to perform a function, to administer a treatment, etc. If the receivedcommunication signals 18 require a response, thebio-medical unit 10 prepares an appropriate response and transmits it to thereceiver 14 using a similar communication convention used by thetransmitter 12. -
FIG. 2 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes a plurality ofbio-medical units 10 embedded within a body and/or placed on the surface of the body to facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and/or data collections. Each of thebio-medical units 10 is a passive device and, as such, includes a power harvesting module. Thebio-medical units 10 may also include one or more of memory, a processing module, and functional modules. In this embodiment, the person is placed in an MRI machine (fixed or portable) that generates amagnetic field 26 through which theMRI transmitter 20 transmits MRI signals 28 to theMRI receiver 22. - One or more of the
bio-medical units 10 powers itself by harvesting energy from themagnetic field 26 or changes thereof as produced by gradient coils, from the magnetic fields of the MRI signals 28, from the electrical fields of the MRI signals 28, and/or from the electromagnetic aspects of the MRI signals 28. Aunit 10 converts the harvested energy into a supply voltage that supplies other components of the unit (e.g., a communication module, a processing module, memory, a functional module, etc.). - A
communication device 24 communicates data and/orcontrol communications 30 with one or more of thebio-medical units 10 over one or more wireless links. Thecommunication device 24 may be a separate device from the MRI machine or integrated into the MRI machine. For example, thecommunication device 24, whether integrated or separate, may be a cellular telephone, a computer with a wireless interface (e.g., a WLAN station and/or access point, Bluetooth, a proprietary protocol, etc.), etc. A wireless link may be one or more frequencies in the ISM band, in the 60 GHz frequency band, the ultrasound frequency band, and/or other frequency bands that supports one or more communication protocols (e.g., data modulation schemes, beamforming, RF or MMW modulation, encoding, error correction, etc.). - The composition of the
bio-medical units 10 includes non-ferromagnetic materials (e.g., paramagnetic or diamagnetic) and/or metal alloys that are minimally affected by an externalmagnetic field 26. In this regard, the units harvest power from the MRI signals 28 and communicate using RF and/or MMW electromagnetic signals with negligible chance of encountering the projectile or missile effect of implants that include ferromagnetic materials. -
FIG. 3 is a diagram of an embodiment of anartificial body part 32 including one or morebio-medical units 10 that may be surgically implanted into a body. Theartificial body part 32 may be a pace maker, a breast implant, a joint replacement, an artificial bone, splints, fastener devices (e.g., screws, plates, pins, sutures, etc.), artificial organ, etc. Theartificial body part 32 may be permanently embedded in the body or temporarily embedded into the body. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anartificial body part 32 that includes one or morebio-medical units 10. For instance, onebio-medical unit 10 may be used to detect infections, the body's acceptance of theartificial body part 32, measure localized body temperature, monitor performance of theartificial body part 32, and/or data gathering for other diagnostics. Anotherbio-medical unit 10 may be used for deployment of treatment (e.g., disperse medication, apply electrical stimulus, apply RF radiation, apply laser stimulus, etc.). Yet anotherbio-medical unit 10 may be used to adjust the position of theartificial body part 32 and/or a setting of theartificial body part 32. For example, abio-medical unit 10 may be used to mechanically adjust the tension of a splint, screws, etc. As another example, abio-medical unit 10 may be used to adjust an electrical setting of theartificial body part 32. -
FIG. 5 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes a plurality ofbio-medical units 10 and one ormore communication devices 24 coupled to a wide area network (WAN) communication device 34 (e.g., a cable modem, DSL modem, base station, access point, hot spot, etc.). TheWAN communication device 34 is coupled to a network 42 (e.g., cellular telephone network, internet, etc.), which has coupled to it a plurality ofremote monitors 36, a plurality ofdatabases 40, and a plurality ofcomputers 38. Thecommunication device 24 includes a processing module and a wireless transceiver module (e.g., one or more transceivers) and may function similarly tocommunication module 48 as described inFIG. 8 , - In this system, one or more
bio-medical units 10 are implanted in, or affixed to, a host body (e.g., a person, an animal, genetically grown tissue, etc.). As previously discussed and will be discussed in greater detail with reference to one or more of the following figures, a bio-medical unit includes a power harvesting module, a communication module, and one or more functional modules. The power harvesting module operable to produce a supply voltage from a received electromagnetic power signal (e.g., theelectromagnetic signal 16 ofFIGS. 1 and 2 , the MRI signals of one or more the subsequent figures). The communication module and the at least one functional module are powered by the supply voltage. - In an example of operation, the communication device 24 (e.g., integrated into an MRI machine, a cellular telephone, a computer with a wireless interface, etc.) receives a downstream WAN signal from the
network 42 via theWAN communication device 34. The downstream WAN signal may be generated by aremote monitoring device 36, a remote diagnostic device (e.g.,computer 38 performing a remote diagnostic function), a remote control device (e.g.,computer 38 performing a remote control function), and/or a medical record storage device (e.g., database 40). - The
communication device 24 converts the downstream WAN signal into a downstream data signal. For example, thecommunication device 24 may convert the downstream WAN signal into a symbol stream in accordance with one or more wireless communication protocols (e.g., GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, HSUPA, HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.). Thecommunication device 24 may convert the symbol stream into the downstream data signal using the same or a different wireless communication protocol. - Alternatively, the
communication device 24 may convert the symbol stream into data that it interprets to determine how to structure the communication with thebio-medical unit 10 and/or what data (e.g., instructions, commands, digital information, etc.) to include in the downstream data signal. Having determined how to structure and what to include in the downstream data signal, thecommunication device 24 generates the downstream data signal in accordance with one or more wireless communication protocols. As yet another alternative, thecommunication device 24 may function as a relay, which provides the downstream WAN signal as the downstream data signal to the one or morebio-medical units 10. - When the
communication device 24 has (and/or is processing) the downstream data signal to send to the bio-medical unit, it sets up a communication with the bio-medical unit. The set up may include identifying the particular bio-medical unit(s), determining the communication protocol used by the identified bio-medical unit(s), sending a signal to an electromagnetic device (e.g., MRI device, etc.) to request that it generates the electromagnetic power signal to power the bio-medical unit, and/or initiate a communication in accordance with the identified communication protocol. As an alternative to requesting a separate electromagnetic device to create the electromagnetic power signal, the communication device may include an electromagnetic device to create the electromagnetic power signal. - Having set up the communication, the
communication device 24 wirelessly communicates the downstream data signal to the communication module of thebio-medical unit 10. The functional module of thebio-medical unit 10 processes the downstream data contained in the downstream data signal to perform a bio-medical functional, to store digital information contained in the downstream data, to administer a treatment (e.g., administer a medication, apply laser stimulus, apply electrical stimulus, etc.), to collect a sample (e.g., blood, tissue, cell, etc.), to perform a micro electro-mechanical function, and/or to collect data. For example, the bio-medical function may include capturing a digital image, capturing a radio frequency (e.g., 300 MHz to 300 GHz) radar image, an ultrasound image, a tissue sample, and/or a measurement (e.g., blood pressure, temperature, pulse, blood-oxygen level, blood sugar level, etc.). - When the downstream data requires a response, the functional module performs a bio-medical function to produce upstream data. The communication module converts the upstream data into an upstream data signal in accordance with the one or more wireless protocols. The
communication device 24 converts the upstream data signal into an upstream wide area network (WAN) signal and transmits it to a remote diagnostic device, a remote control device, and/or a medical record storage device. In this manner, a person(s) operating the remote monitors 36 may view images and/or thedata 30 gathered by thebio-medical units 10. This enables a specialist to be consulted without requiring the patient to travel to the specialist's office. - In another example of operation, one or more of the
computers 38 may communicate with thebio-medical units 10 via thecommunication device 24, theWAN communication device 34, and thenetwork 42. In this example, thecomputer 36 may providecommands 30 to one or more of thebio-medical units 10 to gather data, to dispense a medication, to move to a new position in the body, to perform a mechanical function (e.g., cut, grasp, drill, puncture, stitch, patch, etc.), etc. As such, thebio-medical units 10 may be remotely controlled via one or more of thecomputers 36. - In another example of operation, one or more of the
bio-medical units 10 may read and/or write data from or to one or more of thedatabases 40. For example, data (e.g., a blood sample analysis) generated by one or more of thebio-medical units 10 may be written to one of thedatabases 40. Thecommunication device 24 and/or one of thecomputers 36 may control the writing of data to or the reading of data from the database(s) 40. The data may further include medical records, medical images, prescriptions, etc. -
FIG. 6 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes a plurality ofbio-medical units 10. In this embodiment, thebio-medical units 10 can communicate with each other directly and/or communicate with thecommunication device 24 directly. The communication medium may be an infrared channel(s), an RF channel(s), a MMW channel(s), and/or ultrasound. The units may use a communication protocol such as token passing, carrier sense, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, etc. -
FIG. 7 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes a plurality ofbio-medical units 10. In this embodiment, one of thebio-medical units 44 functions as an access point for the other units. As such, the designatedunit 44 routes communications between theunits 10 and between one ormore units 10 and thecommunication device 24. The communication medium may be an infrared channel(s), an RF channel(s), a MMW channel(s), and/or ultrasound. Theunits 10 may use a communication protocol such as token passing, carrier sense, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, etc. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of abio-medical unit 10 that includes apower harvesting module 46, acommunication module 48, aprocessing module 50,memory 52, and one or morefunctional modules 54. Theprocessing module 50 may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions. Theprocessing module 50 may have an associatedmemory 52 and/or memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of the processing module. Such amemory device 52 may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that if theprocessing module 50 includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that when theprocessing module 50 implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memory element stores, and the processing module executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated inFIGS. 1-26 . - The
power harvesting module 46 may generate one or more supply voltages 56 (Vdd) from a power source signal (e.g., one or more of MRIelectromagnetic signals 16,magnetic fields 26, RF signals, MMW signals, ultrasound signals, light signals, and body motion). Thepower harvesting module 46 may be implemented as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,595,732 to generate one or more supply voltages from an RF signal. Thepower harvesting module 46 may be implemented as shown in one or moreFIGS. 9-11 to generate one ormore supply voltages 56 from anMRI signal 28 and/ormagnetic field 26. Thepower harvesting module 46 may be implemented as shown inFIG. 12 to generate one ormore supply voltage 56 from body motion. Regardless of how the power harvesting module generates the supply voltage(s), the supply voltage(s) are used to power thecommunication module 48, theprocessing module 50, thememory 52, and/or thefunctional modules 54. - In an example of operation, a receiver section of the
communication module 48 receives an inboundwireless communication signal 60 and converts it into an inbound symbol stream. For example, the receiver section amplifies an inbound wireless (e.g., RF or MMW) signal 60 to produce an amplified inbound RF or MMW signal. The receiver section may then mix in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the amplified inbound RF or MMW signal with in-phase and quadrature components of a local oscillation to produce a mixed I signal and a mixed Q signal. The mixed I and Q signals are combined to produce an inbound symbol stream. In this embodiment, the inbound symbol may include phase information (e.g., +/−Δθ [phase shift] and/or θ(t) [phase modulation]) and/or frequency information (e.g., +/−Δf [frequency shift] and/or f(t) [frequency modulation]). In another embodiment and/or in furtherance of the preceding embodiment, the inbound RF or MMW signal includes amplitude information (e.g., +/−ΔA [amplitude shift] and/or A(t) [amplitude modulation]). To recover the amplitude information, the receiver section includes an amplitude detector such as an envelope detector, a low pass filter, etc. - The
processing module 50 converts the inbound symbol stream into inbound data and generates a command message based on the inbound data. The command message may instruction one or more of the functional modules to perform one or more electro-mechanical functions of gathering data (e.g., imaging data, flow monitoring data), dispensing a medication, moving to a new position in the body, performing a mechanical function (e.g., cut, grasp, drill, puncture, stitch, patch, etc.), dispensing a treatment, collecting a biological sample, etc. - To convert the inbound symbol stream into the inbound data (e.g., voice, text, audio, video, graphics, etc.), the
processing module 50 may perform one or more of: digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, time to frequency domain conversion, space-time-block decoding, space-frequency-block decoding, demodulation, frequency spread decoding, frequency hopping decoding, beamforming decoding, constellation demapping, deinterleaving, decoding, depuncturing, and/or descrambling. Such a conversion is typically prescribed by one or more wireless communication standards (e.g., GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, HSUPA, HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.). - The
processing module 50 provides the command message to one or more of the micro-electromechanicalfunctional modules 54. Thefunctional module 54 performs an electro-mechanical function within a hosting body in accordance with the command message. Such an electro-mechanical function includes at least one of data gathering (e.g., image, flow monitoring), motion, repairs, dispensing medication, biological sampling, diagnostics, applying laser treatment, applying ultrasound treatment, grasping, sawing, drilling, providing an electronic stimulus etc. Note that thefunctional modules 54 may be implemented using nanotechnology and/or microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. - When requested per the command message (e.g. gather data and report the data), the micro electro-mechanical
functional module 54 generates an electro-mechanical response based on the performing the electro-mechanical function. For example, the response may be data (e.g., heart rate, blood sugar levels, temperature, blood flow rate, image of a body object, etc.), a biological sample (e.g., blood sample, tissue sample, etc.), acknowledgement of performing the function (e.g., acknowledge a software update, storing of data, etc.), and/or any appropriate response. The micro electro-mechanicalfunctional module 54 provides the response to theprocessing module 50. - The
processing module 50 converts the electro-mechanical response into an outbound symbol stream, which may be done in accordance with one or more wireless communication standards (e.g., GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, HSUPA, HSDPA, WiMAX, EDGE, GPRS, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), long term evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.16, evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.). Such a conversion includes one or more of: scrambling, puncturing, encoding, interleaving, constellation mapping, modulation, frequency spreading, frequency hopping, beamforming, space-time-block encoding, space-frequency-block encoding, frequency to time domain conversion, and/or digital baseband to intermediate frequency conversion. - A transmitter section of the
communication module 48 converts an outbound symbol stream into an outbound RF orMMW signal 60 that has a carrier frequency within a given frequency band (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz, 5 GHz, 57-66 GHz, etc.). In an embodiment, this may be done by mixing the outbound symbol stream with a local oscillation to produce an up-converted signal. One or more power amplifiers and/or power amplifier drivers amplifies the up-converted signal, which may be RF or MMW bandpass filtered, to produce the outbound RF orMMW signal 60. In another embodiment, the transmitter section includes an oscillator that produces an oscillation. The outbound symbol stream provides phase information (e.g., +/−Δθ [phase shift] and/or θ(t) [phase modulation]) that adjusts the phase of the oscillation to produce a phase adjusted RF or MMW signal, which is transmitted as theoutbound RF signal 60. In another embodiment, the outbound symbol stream includes amplitude information (e.g., A(t) [amplitude modulation]), which is used to adjust the amplitude of the phase adjusted RF or MMW signal to produce the outbound RF orMMW signal 60. - In yet another embodiment, the transmitter section includes an oscillator that produces an oscillation. The outbound symbol provides frequency information (e.g., +/−Δf [frequency shift] and/or f(t) [frequency modulation]) that adjusts the frequency of the oscillation to produce a frequency adjusted RF or MMW signal, which is transmitted as the outbound RF or
MMW signal 60. In another embodiment, the outbound symbol stream includes amplitude information, which is used to adjust the amplitude of the frequency adjusted RF or MMW signal to produce the outbound RF orMMW signal 60. In a further embodiment, the transmitter section includes an oscillator that produces an oscillation. The outbound symbol provides amplitude information (e.g., +/−AA [amplitude shift] and/or A(t) [amplitude modulation) that adjusts the amplitude of the oscillation to produce the outbound RF orMMW signal 60. - Note that the
bio-medical unit 10 may be encapsulated by an encapsulate 58 that is non-toxic to the body. For example, the encapsulate 58 may be a silicon based product, a non-ferromagnetic metal alloy (e.g., stainless steel), etc. As another example, the encapsulate 58 may include a spherical shape and have a ferromagnetic liner that shields the unit from a magnetic field and to offset the forces of the magnetic field. Further note that thebio-medical unit 10 may be implemented on a single die that has an area of a few millimeters or less. The die may be fabricated in accordance with CMOS technology, Gallium-Arsenide technology, and/or any other integrated circuit die fabrication process. - In another example of operation, one of the
functional modules 54 functions as a first micro-electro mechanical module and another one of thefunctions modules 54 functions as a second micro-electro mechanical module. In this example, the bio-medical unit is implanted into a host body (e.g., a person, an animal, a reptile, etc.) at a position proximal to a body object to be monitored and/or have an image taken thereof. For example, the body object may be a vein, an artery, an organ, a cyst (or other growth), etc. As a specific example, the bio-medical unit may be positioned approximately parallel to the flow of blood in a vein, artery, and/or the heart. - When powered by the supply voltage, the first micro-electro mechanical module generates and transmits a wireless signal at, or around, the body object. The second micro-electro mechanical module receives a representation of the wireless signal (e.g., a reflection of the wireless signal, a refraction of the wireless signal, or a determined absorption of the wireless signal). Note that the wireless signal may be an ultrasound signal, a radio frequency signal, and/or a millimeter wave signal.
- The
processing module 50 may coordinate the transmitting of the wireless signal and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal. For example, the processing module may receive, via the communication module, a command to enable the transmitting of the wireless signal (e.g., an ultrasound signal) and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal. In response, the processing module generates a control signal that it provides to the first micro-electro mechanical module to enable it to transmit the wireless signal. - In addition, the processing module may generate flow monitoring data based on the second micro-electro mechanical module receiving of the representation of the wireless signal. As a specific example, the processing module calculates a fluid flow rate based on phase shifting and/or frequency shifting between the transmitting of the wireless signal and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal. As another specific example, the processing module gathers phase shifting data and/or frequency shifting data based on the transmitting of the wireless signal and the receiving of the representation of the wireless signal.
- The processing module may further generate imaging data based on the second micro-electro mechanical module receiving the representation of the wireless signal. As a specific example, the processing module calculates an image of the body object based absorption of the wireless signal by the body object and/or vibration of the body object. As another specific example, the processing module gathers data regarding the absorption of the wireless signal by the body object and/or of the vibration of the body object.
- While the preceding examples of a bio-medical unit including first and second micro-electro mechanical modules for transmitting and receiving wireless signals (e.g., ultrasound, RF, MMW, etc.), a bio-medical unit may include one or the other module. For example, a bio-medical unit may include a micro-electro mechanical module for transmitting a wireless signal, where the receiver is external to the body or in another bio-medical unit. As another example, a bio-medical unit may include a micro-electro mechanical module for receiving a representation of a wireless signal, where the transmitter is external to the body or another bio-medical unit.
-
FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of apower harvesting module 46 that includes an array of on-chipair core inductors 64, a rectifyingcircuit 66, capacitors, and aregulation circuit 68. Theinductors 64 may each having an inductance of a few nano-Henries to a few micro-Henries and may be coupled in series, in parallel, or a series parallel combination. - In an example of operation, the
MRI transmitter 20 transmits MRI signals 28 at a frequency of 3-45 MHz at a power level of up to 35 KWatts. Theair core inductors 64 are electromagnetically coupled to generate a voltage from the magnetic and/or electric field generated by the MRI signals 28. Alternatively, or in addition to, theair core inductors 64 may generate a voltage from themagnetic field 26 and changes thereof produced by the gradient coils. The rectifyingcircuit 66 rectifies the AC voltage produced by the inductors to produce a first DC voltage. The regulation circuit generates one or more desiredsupply voltages 56 from the first DC voltage. - The
inductors 64 may be implemented on one more metal layers of the die and include one or more turns per layer. Note that trace thickness, trace length, and other physical properties affect the resulting inductance. -
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of apower harvesting module 46 that includes a plurality of on-chip air core inductors 70, a plurality of switching units (S), a rectifyingcircuit 66, a capacitor, and aswitch controller 72. The inductors 70 may each having an inductance of a few nano-Henries to a few micro-Henries and may be coupled in series, in parallel, or a series parallel combination. - In an example of operation, the
MRI transmitter 20 transmits MRI signals 28 at a frequency of 3-45 MHz at a power level of up to 35 KWatts. The air core inductors 70 are electromagnetically coupled to generate a voltage from the magnetic and/or electric field generated by the MRI signals 28. Theswitching module 72 engages the switches via control signals 74 to couple the inductors 70 in series and/or parallel to generate a desired AC voltage. Therectifier circuit 66 and the capacitor(s) convert the desired AC voltage into the one ormore supply voltages 56. -
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of apower harvesting module 46 that includes a plurality ofHall effect devices 76, apower combining module 78, and a capacitor(s). In an example of operation, theHall effect devices 76 generate a voltage based on the constant magnetic field (H) and/or a varying magnetic field. The power combining module 78 (e.g., a wire, a switch network, a transistor network, a diode network, etc.) combines the voltages of theHall effect devices 76 to produce the one ormore supply voltages 56. -
FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of apower harvesting module 46 that includes a plurality ofpiezoelectric devices 82, apower combining module 78, and a capacitor(s). In an example of operation, thepiezoelectric devices 82 generate a voltage based on body movement, ultrasound signals, movement of body fluids, etc. The power combining module 78 (e.g., a wire, a switch network, a transistor network, a diode network, etc.) combines the voltages of theHall effect devices 82 to produce the one ormore supply voltages 56. Note that thepiezoelectric devices 82 may include one or more of a piezoelectric motor, a piezoelectric actuator, a piezoelectric sensor, and/or a piezoelectric high voltage device. - The various embodiments of the
power harvesting module 46 may be combined to generate more power, more supply voltages, etc. For example, the embodiment ofFIG. 9 may be combined with one or more of the embodiments ofFIGS. 11 and 12 . -
FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of apower boost module 84 that harvests energy from MRI signals 28 and converts the energy into continuous wave (CW) RF (e.g., up to 3 GHz) and/or MMW (e.g., up to 300 GHz) signals 92 to provide power to the implantedbio-medical units 10. Thepower boost module 84 sits on the body of the person under test or treatment and includes an electromagneticpower harvesting module 86 and acontinuous wave generator 88. In such an embodiment, thepower boosting module 84 can recover significantly more energy than abio-medical unit 10 since it can be significantly larger. For example, abio-medical unit 10 may have an area of a few millimeters squared while thepower boosting module 84 may have an area of a few to tens of centimeters squared. -
FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an electromagnetic (EM))power harvesting module 86 that includes inductors, diodes (or transistors) and a capacitor. The inductors may each be a few mili-Henries such that the power boost module can deliver up to 10's of mili-watts of power. -
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an electromagnetic (EM))power harvesting module 86 that includes a plurality ofHall effect devices 76, apower combining module 78, and a capacitor. This functions as described with reference toFIG. 11 , but theHall effect devices 76 can be larger such that more power can be produced. Note that the EMpower harvesting module 86 may include a combination of the embodiment ofFIG. 14 and the embodiment ofFIG. 15 . -
FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of abio-medical unit 10 that includes apower harvesting module 46, acommunication module 48, aprocessing module 50,memory 52, and may include one or morefunctional modules 54 and/or a Halleffect communication module 116. Thecommunication module 48 may include one or more of an ultrasound transceiver 118 (i.e., a receiver and a transmitter), anelectromagnetic transceiver 122, an RF and/orMMW transceiver 120, and a light source (LED)transceiver 124. Note that examples of the various types ofcommunication modules 48 will be described in greater detail with reference to one or more of the subsequent Figures. - The one or more
functional modules 54 may perform a repair function, an imaging function, and/or a leakage detection function, which may utilize one or more of amotion propulsion module 96, acamera module 98, asampling robotics module 100, atreatment robotics module 102, anaccelerometer module 104, aflow meter module 106, atransducer module 108, agyroscope module 110, a highvoltage generator module 112, a controlrelease robotics module 114, and/or other functional modules described with reference to one or more other figures. Thefunctional modules 54 may be implemented using MEMS technology and/or nanotechnology. For example, thecamera module 98 may be implemented as a digital image sensor in MEMS technology. - The Hall
effect communication module 116 utilizes variations in the magnetic field and/or electrical field to produce a plus or minus voltage, which can be encoded to convey information. For example, the charge applied to one or moreHall effect devices 76 may be varied to produce the voltage change. As another example, anMRI transmitter 20 and/or gradient unit may modulate a signal on themagnetic field 26 it generates to produce variations in themagnetic field 26. -
FIG. 17 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system that includes one or morebio-medical units 10, atransmitter unit 126, and areceiver unit 128. Each of thebio-medical units 10 includes apower harvesting module 46, aMMW transceiver 138, aprocessing module 50, andmemory 52. Thetransmitter unit 126 includes aMRI transmitter 130 and aMMW transmitter 132. Thereceiver unit 128 includes aMRI receiver 134 and aMMW receiver 136. Note that theMMW transmitter 132 andMMW receiver 136 may be in the same unit (e.g., in the transmitter unit, in the receiver unit, or housed in a separate device). - In an example of operation, the
bio-medical unit 10 recovers power from the electromagnetic (EM) signals 146 transmitted by theMRI transmitter 130 and communicates via MMW signals 148-150 with theMMW transmitter 132 andMMW receiver 136. TheMRI transmitter 130 may be part of a portable MRI device, may be part of a full sized MRI machine, and/or part of a separate device for generatingEM signals 146 for powering thebio-medical unit 10. -
FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example of a communication protocol within the system ofFIG. 17 . In this diagram, theMRI transmitter 20 transmits RF signals 152, which have a frequency in the range of 3-45 MHz, at various intervals with varying signal strengths. Thepower harvesting module 46 of thebio-medical units 10 may use these signals to generate power for thebio-medical unit 10. - In addition to the
MRI transmitter 20 transmitting its signal, a constant magnetic field and various gradient magnetic fields 154-164 are created (one or more in the x dimension Gx, one or more in the y dimension Gy, and one or more in the z direction Gz). Thepower harvesting module 46 of thebio-medical unit 10 may further use the constant magnetic field and/or the varying magnetic fields 154-164 to create power for thebio-medical unit 10. - During non-transmission periods of the cycle, the
bio-medical unit 10 may communicate 168 with theMMW transmitter 132 and/orMMW receiver 136. In this regard, thebio-medical unit 10 alternates from generating power to MMW communication in accordance with the conventional transmission-magnetic field pattern of an MRI machine. -
FIG. 19 is a diagram of another embodiment of a system includes one or morebio-medical units 10, atransmitter unit 126, and areceiver unit 128. Each of thebio-medical units 10 includes apower harvesting module 46, anEM transceiver 174, aprocessing module 50, andmemory 52. Thetransmitter unit 126 includes aMRI transmitter 130 and electromagnetic (EM)modulator 170. Thereceiver unit 128 includes aMRI receiver 134 and anEM demodulator 172. Thetransmitter unit 126 andreceiver unit 128 may be part of a portable MRI device, may be part of a full sized MRI machine, or part of a separate device for generating EM signals for powering thebio-medical unit 10. - In an example of operation, the
MRI transmitter 130 generates an electromagnetic signal that is received by theEM modulator 170. The EM modulator 170 modulates a communication signal on the EM signal to produce an inbound modulatedEM signal 176. The EM modulator 170 may modulate (e.g., amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, amplitude shift keying, frequency shift keying, etc.) the magnetic field and/or electric field of the EM signal. In another embodiment, theEM modulator 170 may modulate the magnetic fields produced by the gradient coils to produce the inbound modulated EM signals 176. - The
bio-medical unit 10 recovers power from the modulated electromagnetic (EM) signals. In addition, theEM transceiver 174 demodulates the modulated EM signals 178 to recover the communication signal. For outbound signals, theEM transceiver 174 modulates an outbound communication signal to produce outbound modulated EM signals 180. In this instance, theEM transceiver 174 is generating an EM signal that, in air, is modulated on the EM signal transmitted by thetransmitter unit 126. In one embodiment, the communication in this system is half duplex such that the modulation of the inbound and outbound communication signals is at the same frequency. In another embodiment, the modulation of the inbound and outbound communication signals are at different frequencies to enable full duplex communication. -
FIG. 20 is a diagram of another example of a communication protocol within the system ofFIG. 19 . In this diagram, theMRI transmitter 20 transmits RF signals 152, which have a frequency in the range of 3-45 MHz, at various intervals with varying signal strengths. Thepower harvesting module 46 of thebio-medical units 10 may use these signals to generate power for thebio-medical unit 10. - In addition to the
MRI transmitter 20 transmitting its signal, a constant magnetic field and various gradient magnetic fields are created 154-164 (one or more in the x dimension Gx, one or more in the y dimension Gy, and one or more in the z direction Gz). Thepower harvesting module 46 of thebio-medical unit 10 may further use the constant magnetic field and/or the varying magnetic fields 154-164 to create power for thebio-medical unit 10. - During the transmission periods of the cycle, the
bio-medical unit 10 may communicate via the modulated EM signals 182. In this regard, thebio-medical unit 10 generates power and communicates in accordance with the conventional transmission-magnetic field pattern of an MRI machine. -
FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a micro MRI unit that includes one or more gradient coil bio-medical units 412 (three shown), a transmittingbio-medical unit 406, a receivingbio-medical unit 408. The micro MRI unit may further include one or more constant magnetic field generating bio-medical units 410. One or more of thebio-medical units - In an example of operation, a constant magnetic field is applied to a particular part of a host body, which contains a body object of interest. The constant magnetic field is of strength to change the magnetic moments of the photons of some of the molecules of the body object (e.g., organ, tissue, blood, tendon, etc.) such that they align with the direction of the field. Note that one or more constant magnetic field bio-medical units 410 and/or an external source may generate the constant magnetic field. Further note that, as a photon's energy increases, it frequency increases correspondingly.
- The transmitting bio-medical unit transmit a varying radio frequency (RF) signal in a direction of the body object. The varying RF signal has a frequency corresponding to the resonance frequency of the photons and is enabled for a short duration (e.g., less than a few seconds) to flip the spin of the aligned protons. The transmit power (e.g., the intensity) and the on duration of the RF signal is varied to varying the number of protons that flip their spin. For instance, the greater the intensity and/or duration, the spin of more aligned protons will flip. When the RF signal is turned off, the protons decay to their original spin-down state. The difference in energy between the two states is released as a photon, which provides the representation of the RF signal that the receiving bio-medical unit detects.
- To control where the protons are excited, the one or more gradient magnetic field bio-medical units 412-1 through 412-3 generate one or more gradient magnetic fields in an area proximal to the body object. The gradient magnetic fields may be in one or more dimensions of a three-dimensional space. For instance, one of the gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a gradient magnetic field along a first axis of a three-dimensional axis system (e.g., the x axis), a second gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a second gradient magnetic field along a second axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a y axis), and a third gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a third gradient magnetic field along a third axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a z axis).
- The receiving bio-medical unit receives a representation of the varying RF signal (e.g., the energy difference as the protons decay to their original spin-down state). The receiving bio-medical unit then processes the representation of the varying RF signal to produce a processed signal. For example, the processing may be to packetize data representing the energy differences, where the packetized data constitutes the processed signal. As another example, a processing module of the receiving bio-medical unit generates image data based on the protons in the different tissues of the body object returning to their equilibrium state at different rates.
- The receiving bio-medical unit then outputs the processed signal. For example, the receiving bio-medical unit may output the processed signal to an
external communication unit 24 or to another bio-medical unit. In the latter case, the other bio-medical unit outputs the processed signal to theexternal communication device 24. The communication with theexternal communication unit 24 may be coordinated with the MRI signal sequencing as previously discussed. -
FIG. 22 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for controlling power harvesting within abio-medical unit 10. The method begins atstep 418 wherein theprocessing module 50 of thebio-medical unit 10 initializes (e.g., when it is supplied power and wakes up) itself. For example, theprocessing module 50 executes an initialization boot sequence stored in thememory 52. The initialization boot sequence includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to initialize its registers to accept further instructions. The initialization boot sequence may further include operational instructions to initialize one or more of thecommunication module 48, the functional module(s) 54 initialized, etc. - The method continues at
step 420 where theprocessing module 50 determines the state of the bio-medical unit (e.g., actively involved in a task, inactive, data gathering, performing a function, etc.). Such a determination may be based on one or more of previous state(s) (e.g., when the processing module was stopped prior to losing power), an input from thefunctional module 54, a list of steps or elements of a task, the current step of a MRI sequence, and/or new tasks received via thecommunication module 48. - The method continues at
step 422 where theprocessing module 50 determines the bio-medical unit power level, which may be done by measuring thepower harvesting module 46output Vdd 56. Note that voltage is one proxy for the power level and that other proxies may be utilized including estimation of milliWatt-hours available, a time of operation before loss of operating power estimate, a number of CPU instructions estimate, a number of task elements, a number of tasks estimate, and/or another other estimator to assist in determining how much thebio-medical unit 10 can accomplish prior to losing power. Further note that theprocessing module 50 may save historic records of power utilization in thememory 52 to assist in subsequent determinations of the power level. - The method continues at
step 424 where theprocessing module 50 compares the power level to the high threshold (e.g., a first available power level that allows for a certain level of processing). If yes, the method continues to step 426 where theprocessing module 50 enables the execution of H number of instructions. Theprocessing module 50 may utilize a predetermined static value of the H instructions or a dynamic value that changes as a result of the historic records. For example, the historic records may indicate that there was an average of 20% more power capacity left over after the last ten times of instruction execution upon initialization. Theprocessing module 50 may adjust the value of H upward such that the on-going left over power is less than 20% in order to more fully utilize the available power each time thebio-medical unit 10 has power. - The method continues at
step 428 where theprocessing module 50 saves the state in thememory 52 upon completion of the execution of the H instructions such that theprocessing module 50 can start in a state in accordance with this state upon the next initialization. The method then continues atstep 430 where theprocessing module 50 determines whether it will suspend operations based on one or more of a re-determined power level (e.g., power left after executing the instructions), a predetermined list, a task priority, a task state, a priority indicator, a command, a message, and/or a functional module input. If not, the method repeats atstep 422. If yes, the method branches to step 440 where theprocessing module 50 suspends operations of the bio-medical unit. - If, at
step 424, the power level is not greater than the high threshold, the method continues atstep 432 where theprocessing module 50 determines whether the power level compares favorably to a low threshold. If not, the method continues astep 440 where theprocessing module 50 suspends operations of the bio-medical unit. - If the comparison at
step 432 was favorable, the method continues atstep 434 where theprocessing module 50 executes L instructions. Theprocessing module 50 may utilize a predetermined static value of the L instructions or a dynamic value that changes as a result of the historic records as discussed previously. For example, the historic records may indicate that there was an average of 10% more power capacity left over after the last ten times of instruction execution upon initialization. Theprocessing module 50 may adjust the value of L downward such that the on-going left over power is less than 10% in order to more fully utilize the available power each time thebio-medical unit 10 has power. - The method continues at
step 436 where theprocessing module 50 saves the state in thememory 52 upon completion of the execution of the L instructions such that theprocessing module 50 can start in a state in accordance with this state upon the next initialization. The method then continues atstep 438 where theprocessing module 50 determines whether it will suspend operations based on one or more of a re-determined power level (e.g., power left after executing the instructions), a predetermined list, a task priority, a task state, a priority indicator, a command, a message, and/or a functional module input. If yes, the method branches to step 440. If not, the method repeats atstep 422. -
FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating MMW communications within a MRI sequence where theprocessing module 50 determines MMW communications in accordance with an MRI sequence. The method begins atstep 442 where theprocessing module 50 determines whether the MRI is active based on receiving MRI EM signals. Atstep 444, the method branches to step 446 orstep 448. When the MRI is active, the method continues atstep 446 where theprocessing module 50 performs MMW communications as previously discussed. - The method continues at
step 448 where theprocessing module 50 determines the MRI sequence based on received MRI EM signals (e.g., gradient pulses and/or MRI RF pulses as shown in one or more of the preceding figures). The method continues atstep 450 where theprocessing module 50 determines whether it is time to perform receive MMW communication in accordance with the MRI sequence. For example, theMMW transceiver 138 may receive MMWinbound signals 148 between any of the MRI sequence steps. As another example, theMMW transceiver 138 may receive MMWinbound signals 148 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence. - At
step 452 the method branches back to step 450 or to step 454. When it is time to receive, the method continues atstep 454 where theprocessing module 50 coordinates theMMW transceiver 138 receiving the MMW inbound signals, which may include one or more of a status request, a records request, a sensor data request, a processed data request, a position request, a command, and/or a request for MRI echo signal data. The method then continues atstep 456 where theprocessing module 50 determines whether there is at least one message pending to transmit (e.g., in a transmit queue). Atstep 458 the method branches back to step 442 or to step 460. - At
step 460, theprocessing module 50 determines when it is time to transmit a MMW communication in accordance with the MRI sequence. For example, theMMW transceiver 138 may transmit MMW outbound signals 150 between any of the MRI sequence steps. As another example, theMMW transceiver 138 may transmit MMW outbound signals 150 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence. - At
step 462, the method branches to backstep 456 or to step 464. The method continues atstep 464 where theprocessing module 50 coordinates theMMW transceiver 138 transmitting the MMW outbound signals 150, which may include one or more of a status request response, a records request response, a sensor data request response, a processed data request response, a position request response, a command response, and/or a request for MRI echo signal data response. The method then branches back tostep 442. -
FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of MRI signals where theprocessing module 50 of thebio-medical unit 10 may assist the MRI in the reception and processing of MRI EM signals 146. The method begins atstep 466 where theprocessing module 50 determines if the MRI is active based on receiving MRI EM signals 146. The method branches back to step 466 when theprocessing module 50 determines that the MRI is not active. For example, the MRI sequence may not start until theprocessing module 50 communicates to the MRI unit that it is available to assist. The method continues to step 470 when theprocessing module 50 determines that the MRI is active. - At
step 470, theprocessing module 50 determines the MRI sequence based on received MRI EM signals 146 (e.g., gradient pulses and/or MRI RF pulses). Atstep 472, the processing module receives EM signals 146 and/or MMW communication 532 in accordance with the MRI sequence and decodes a message. For example, theMMW transceiver 138 may receive MMWinbound signals 148 between any of the MRI sequence steps. As another example, theMMW transceiver 138 may receive MMWinbound signals 148 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence. In yet another example, theprocessing module 50 may receiveEM signals 146 at any point of the MRI sequence such that the EM signals 146 contain a message for theprocessing module 50. - At
step 474, theprocessing module 50 determines whether to assist in the MRI sequence based in part on the decoded message. The determination may be based on a comparison of the assist request to the capabilities of thebio-medical unit 10. Atstep 476, the method branches to step 480 when theprocessing module 50 determines to assist in the MRI sequence. The method continues atstep 478 where theprocessing module 50 performs other instructions contained in the message and the method ends. - At
step 480, theprocessing module 50 begins the assist steps by receiving echo signals 530 during the MRI sequence. Note the echo signals 530 may comprise EM RF signals across a wide frequency band as reflected off of tissue during the MRI sequence. Atstep 482, theprocessing module 50 processes the received echo signals 530 to produce processed echo signals. Note that this may be a portion of the overall processing required to lead to the desired MRI imaging. - At
step 484, theprocessing module 50 determines the assist type based on the decoded message from the MRI unit. The assist type may be at least passive or active where the passive type collects echo signal 530 information and sends it to the MRI unit via MMW outbound signals 150 and the active type collects echo signal information and re-generates a form of the echo signals 530 and sends the re-generated echo signals to the MRI unit via outbound modulated EM signals (e.g., the MRI unit interprets the re-generated echo signals as echo signals to improve the overall system gain and sensitivity). - The method branches to step 494 when the
processing module 50 determines the assist type to be active. The method continues to step 486 when theprocessing module 50 determines the assist type to be passive. Atstep 486, theprocessing module 50 creates an echo message based on the processed echo signals where the echo message contains information about the echo signals 530. - At
step 488, theprocessing module 50 determines when it is time to transmit the echo message encoded as MMW outbound signals 150 via MMW communication in accordance with the MRI sequence. For example, theMMW transceiver 138 may transmit MMW outbound signals 150 between any of the MRI sequence steps. In another example, theMMW transceiver 138 may transmit MMW outbound signals 150 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence. - At
step 490, the method branches back to step 488 when theprocessing module 50 determines that it is not time to transmit the echo message. Atstep 490, the method continues to step 492 where theprocessing module 50 transmits the echo message encoded as MMW outbound signals 150. - At
step 494, theprocessing module 50 creates echo signals based on the processed echo signals. Atstep 496, theprocessing module 50 determines when it is time to transmit the echo signals as outbound modulated EM signals 180 in accordance with the MRI sequence. Atstep 498, the method branches back to step 496 when theprocessing module 50 determines that it is not time to transmit the echo signals. Atstep 498, the method continues to step 500 where theprocessing module 50 transmits the echo signals encoded as outbound modulated EM signals 180. Note that the transmitted echo signals emulate the received echo signals 530 with improvements to overcome low MRI power levels and/or low MRI receiver sensitivity. -
FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating communication utilizing MRI signals where theprocessing module 50 determines MMW signaling in accordance with an MRI sequence. The method begins atstep 502 where theprocessing module 50 determines if the MRI is active based on receiving MRI EM signals 146. Atstep 504, the method branches to step 508 when theprocessing module 50 determines that the MRI is active. Atstep 504, the method continues to step 506 when theprocessing module 50 determines that the MRI is not active. Atstep 506, theprocessing module 50 queues pending transmit messages. The method branches to step 502. - At
step 508, theprocessing module 50 determines the MRI sequence based on received MRI EM signals 146 (e.g., gradient pulses and/or MRI RF pulses). Atstep 510, theprocessing module 50 determines when it is time to perform receive communication in accordance with the MRI sequence. For example, theEM transceiver 174 may receive inbound modulated EM signals 146 containing message information from any of the MRI sequence steps. - At
step 512, the method branches back to step 510 when theprocessing module 50 determines that it is not time to perform receive communication. Atstep 512, the method continues to step 514 where theprocessing module 50 directs theEM transceiver 174 to receive the inbound modulated EM signals. Theprocessing module 50 may decode messages from the inbound modulated EM signals 146 such that the messages include one or more of a echo signal collection assist request, a status request, a records request, a sensor data request, a processed data request, a position request, a command, and/or a request for MRI echo signal data. Note that the message may be decoded from the inbound modulated EM signals 146 in one or more ways including detection of the ordering of the magnetic gradient pulses, counting the number of gradient pulses, the slice pulse orderings, detecting small differences in the timing of the pulses, and/or demodulation of the MRI RF pulse. - At
step 516 theprocessing module 50 determines if there is at least one message pending to transmit (e.g., in a transmit queue). Atstep 518, the method branches back to step 502 when theprocessing module 50 determines that there is not at least one message pending to transmit. Atstep 518, the method continues to step 520 where theprocessing module 50 determines when it is time to perform transmit communication in accordance with the MRI sequence. For example, theEM transceiver 174 may transmit outbound modulated EM signals 180 between any of the MRI sequence steps. In another example, theEM transceiver 174 may transmit the outbound modulated EM signals 180 between specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence. In yet another example, theEM transceiver 174 may transmit the outbound modulated EM signals 180 in parallel with specific predetermined steps of the MRI sequence, but may utilize a different set of frequencies unique to theEM transceiver 174. - At
step 522, the method branches back to step 520 when theprocessing module 50 determines that it is not time to perform transmit communication. Atstep 522, the method continues to step 524 where theprocessing module 50 directs theEM transceiver 174 to prepare the outbound modulated EM signals 180 based on the at least one message pending to transmit. Theprocessing module 50 may encode messages into the outbound modulated EM signals 180 such that the messages include one or more of a status request response, a records request response, a sensor data request response, a processed data request response, a position request response, a command response, and/or a request for MRI echo signal data response. The method branches back tostep 502. -
FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of a micro MRI unit that includes one or more transmittingbio-medical units 406, one or more receivingbio-medical units 408, and one or more gradientbio-medical units 412. The transmittingbio-medical unit 406 includes apower harvesting module 46, aprocessing module 50, acommunication module 48, atransmission module 550, abeamforming module 552, and anantenna array 554. The receivingbio-medical unit 408 includes apower harvesting module 46, aprocessing module 50, acommunication module 48, areception module 556, abeamforming module 560, and anantenna array 558. The gradientbio-medical unit 412 includes apower harvesting module 46 and at least one adjustable coil 562. The gradientbio-medical unit 412 may further include aprocessing module 50 and/or acommunication module 48. - In an example of operation, the transmitting
bio-medical unit 406, the receivingbio-medical unit 408, and the gradientbio-medical unit 412 are positioned (in vivo and/or on the body) of a host body proximal to abody object 268. A constant magnetic field is applied in the area proximal to thebody object 268 by an external constant magnetic source and/or a constant magnetic field bio-medical unit (not shown in this figure). - With a constant magnetic field applied, the one or more gradient magnetic field bio-medical units 412-1 through 412-3 generate one or more gradient magnetic fields in an area proximal to the body object by providing a varying current to the adjustable coil 562 (e.g., an inductor). The gradient magnetic fields may be in one or more dimensions of a three-dimensional space. For instance, one of the gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a gradient magnetic field along a first axis of a three-dimensional axis system (e.g., the x axis), a second gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a second gradient magnetic field along a second axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a y axis), and a third gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit generates a third gradient magnetic field along a third axis of the three-dimensional axis system (e.g., a z axis).
- With the constant and gradient magnetic fields, the
transmission module 550 of the transmittingbio-medical unit 406 generates a plurality of RF signals. For example, thetransmission module 550 includes a plurality of up-conversion modules that mix a reference signal with a local oscillation to produce the RF signals to have a frequency that corresponds to a resonance frequency of the photons. In addition, thetransmission module 550 generates the RF signals at a particular power intensity and for a particular duration. - The
beamforming module 552 generates a plurality of phase angles to provide beamforming of the RF signals. In this instance, the antenna array 554 (e.g., two or more antennas) transmits the plurality of RF signals in accordance with the plurality of phase angles to produce the varying RF signal in the direction of the body object. For example, the RF signals are combined in air in accordance with the phase angles to beamform the varying RF signal at thebody object 268. - The
antenna array 558 receives the varying RF signal in accordance with a plurality of phase angles to produce a plurality of received RF signals. Thebeamforming module 560 generate the plurality of phase angles, which correspond to the phase angles generated by thebeamforming module 552 of the transmitting bio-medical unit and may account for the channel response between the twobio-medical units - The reception module receives the plurality of RF signals and converts them into a baseband or near-baseband signal (e.g., an intermediate frequency of 0 to a few Mega-Hertz). The communication module outputs the baseband or near-baseband signal as the processed signal. Note that the
processing module 50 may further process the baseband or near-baseband signal to render MRI image data, which is subsequently transmitted by thecommunication module 48 to anexternal communication unit 24 or to another bio-medical unit. - As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that
signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that ofsignal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that ofsignal 1. - The present invention has also been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.
- The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of certain significant functions. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.
Claims (19)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/848,812 US20110077501A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Micro mri unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US24706009P | 2009-09-30 | 2009-09-30 | |
US12/848,812 US20110077501A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Micro mri unit |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20110077501A1 true US20110077501A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
Family
ID=43780935
Family Applications (20)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/626,446 Abandoned US20110077718A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-11-25 | Electromagnetic power booster for bio-medical units |
US12/626,490 Abandoned US20110077719A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-11-25 | Electromagnetic power bio-medical unit |
US12/649,030 Abandoned US20110077700A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-12-29 | Artificial body part including bio-medical units |
US12/649,049 Expired - Fee Related US9081878B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-12-29 | Bio-medical unit and applications for cancer treatment |
US12/648,992 Abandoned US20110077736A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-12-29 | Breast implant system including bio-medical units |
US12/697,263 Abandoned US20110077713A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-01-31 | Bio-medical unit network communication and applications thereof |
US12/783,649 Expired - Fee Related US8489199B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-05-20 | Bio-medical unit with power harvesting module and RF communication |
US12/783,641 Abandoned US20110077623A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-05-20 | Implantable bio-medical unit with electro-mechanical function |
US12/787,786 Active 2032-01-11 US8923967B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-05-26 | Communication device for communicating with a bio-medical unit |
US12/829,279 Abandoned US20110077459A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-07-01 | Bio-Medical Unit with Image Sensor for In Vivo Imaging |
US12/829,299 Abandoned US20110077476A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-07-01 | Bio-Medical Unit with Wireless Signaling Micro-Electromechanical Module |
US12/829,284 Abandoned US20110077513A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-07-01 | In Vivo Ultrasound System |
US12/829,291 Abandoned US20110077716A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-07-01 | Bio-Medical Unit with Adjustable Antenna Radiation Pattern |
US12/848,823 Active 2030-11-20 US8254853B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Bio-medical unit having storage location information |
US12/848,901 Abandoned US20110077697A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Neuron system with bio-medical units |
US12/848,812 Abandoned US20110077501A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Micro mri unit |
US12/848,802 Active 2033-04-08 US9111021B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Bio-medical unit and system with electromagnetic power harvesting and communication |
US12/848,830 Abandoned US20110077675A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Pain management bio-medical unit |
US13/567,664 Active US8526894B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2012-08-06 | Bio-medical unit having storage location information |
US14/798,336 Abandoned US20150314116A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2015-07-13 | Bio-Medical Unit and Applications for Cancer Treatment |
Family Applications Before (15)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/626,446 Abandoned US20110077718A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-11-25 | Electromagnetic power booster for bio-medical units |
US12/626,490 Abandoned US20110077719A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-11-25 | Electromagnetic power bio-medical unit |
US12/649,030 Abandoned US20110077700A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-12-29 | Artificial body part including bio-medical units |
US12/649,049 Expired - Fee Related US9081878B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-12-29 | Bio-medical unit and applications for cancer treatment |
US12/648,992 Abandoned US20110077736A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2009-12-29 | Breast implant system including bio-medical units |
US12/697,263 Abandoned US20110077713A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-01-31 | Bio-medical unit network communication and applications thereof |
US12/783,649 Expired - Fee Related US8489199B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-05-20 | Bio-medical unit with power harvesting module and RF communication |
US12/783,641 Abandoned US20110077623A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-05-20 | Implantable bio-medical unit with electro-mechanical function |
US12/787,786 Active 2032-01-11 US8923967B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-05-26 | Communication device for communicating with a bio-medical unit |
US12/829,279 Abandoned US20110077459A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-07-01 | Bio-Medical Unit with Image Sensor for In Vivo Imaging |
US12/829,299 Abandoned US20110077476A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-07-01 | Bio-Medical Unit with Wireless Signaling Micro-Electromechanical Module |
US12/829,284 Abandoned US20110077513A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-07-01 | In Vivo Ultrasound System |
US12/829,291 Abandoned US20110077716A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-07-01 | Bio-Medical Unit with Adjustable Antenna Radiation Pattern |
US12/848,823 Active 2030-11-20 US8254853B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Bio-medical unit having storage location information |
US12/848,901 Abandoned US20110077697A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Neuron system with bio-medical units |
Family Applications After (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/848,802 Active 2033-04-08 US9111021B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Bio-medical unit and system with electromagnetic power harvesting and communication |
US12/848,830 Abandoned US20110077675A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2010-08-02 | Pain management bio-medical unit |
US13/567,664 Active US8526894B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2012-08-06 | Bio-medical unit having storage location information |
US14/798,336 Abandoned US20150314116A1 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2015-07-13 | Bio-Medical Unit and Applications for Cancer Treatment |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (20) | US20110077718A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100157859A1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | Ralph Oppelt | Remotely fed module |
US10539633B2 (en) * | 2014-06-03 | 2020-01-21 | Shanghai Institute Of Microsystem And Information Technology, Chinese Academy Of Sciences | Ultrahigh resolution magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus |
Families Citing this family (160)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101287411B (en) | 2005-04-28 | 2013-03-06 | 普罗秋斯生物医学公司 | Pharma-informatics system |
US8802183B2 (en) | 2005-04-28 | 2014-08-12 | Proteus Digital Health, Inc. | Communication system with enhanced partial power source and method of manufacturing same |
CN105468895A (en) | 2006-05-02 | 2016-04-06 | 普罗透斯数字保健公司 | Patient customized therapeutic regimens |
SG175681A1 (en) | 2006-10-25 | 2011-11-28 | Proteus Biomedical Inc | Controlled activation ingestible identifier |
CA2676407A1 (en) | 2007-02-01 | 2008-08-07 | Proteus Biomedical, Inc. | Ingestible event marker systems |
CN101636865B (en) | 2007-02-14 | 2012-09-05 | 普罗秋斯生物医学公司 | In-body power source having high surface area electrode |
US7655004B2 (en) | 2007-02-15 | 2010-02-02 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Electroporation ablation apparatus, system, and method |
US8540632B2 (en) | 2007-05-24 | 2013-09-24 | Proteus Digital Health, Inc. | Low profile antenna for in body device |
US8579897B2 (en) | 2007-11-21 | 2013-11-12 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Bipolar forceps |
US20090112059A1 (en) | 2007-10-31 | 2009-04-30 | Nobis Rudolph H | Apparatus and methods for closing a gastrotomy |
US8771260B2 (en) | 2008-05-30 | 2014-07-08 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Actuating and articulating surgical device |
US8906035B2 (en) | 2008-06-04 | 2014-12-09 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Endoscopic drop off bag |
US8403926B2 (en) | 2008-06-05 | 2013-03-26 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Manually articulating devices |
SG10201702853UA (en) | 2008-07-08 | 2017-06-29 | Proteus Digital Health Inc | Ingestible event marker data framework |
US8888792B2 (en) | 2008-07-14 | 2014-11-18 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Tissue apposition clip application devices and methods |
US8157834B2 (en) | 2008-11-25 | 2012-04-17 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Rotational coupling device for surgical instrument with flexible actuators |
US9659423B2 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2017-05-23 | Proteus Digital Health, Inc. | Personal authentication apparatus system and method |
SG196787A1 (en) | 2009-01-06 | 2014-02-13 | Proteus Digital Health Inc | Ingestion-related biofeedback and personalized medical therapy method and system |
US8361066B2 (en) | 2009-01-12 | 2013-01-29 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Electrical ablation devices |
SG10201810784SA (en) | 2009-04-28 | 2018-12-28 | Proteus Digital Health Inc | Highly Reliable Ingestible Event Markers And Methods For Using The Same |
US9008792B2 (en) * | 2009-08-20 | 2015-04-14 | Med-El Elektromedizinische Geraete Gmbh | MRI-safe implant electronics |
US20110077718A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-03-31 | Broadcom Corporation | Electromagnetic power booster for bio-medical units |
CA2776677A1 (en) * | 2009-10-03 | 2011-04-07 | Hadasit Medical Research Services & Development Ltd. | Transdermal antenna |
US20110098704A1 (en) | 2009-10-28 | 2011-04-28 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Electrical ablation devices |
TWI517050B (en) | 2009-11-04 | 2016-01-11 | 普羅托斯數位健康公司 | System for supply chain management |
US8608652B2 (en) | 2009-11-05 | 2013-12-17 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Vaginal entry surgical devices, kit, system, and method |
WO2011058458A1 (en) * | 2009-11-13 | 2011-05-19 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V. | Quick re-connect diversity radio system |
DE202009016559U1 (en) * | 2009-12-04 | 2010-03-11 | Peter Osypka Stiftung Stiftung des bürgerlichen Rechts | Body shaping implant |
US8496574B2 (en) | 2009-12-17 | 2013-07-30 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Selectively positionable camera for surgical guide tube assembly |
US8506564B2 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2013-08-13 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Surgical instrument comprising an electrode |
US9028483B2 (en) | 2009-12-18 | 2015-05-12 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Surgical instrument comprising an electrode |
US8686685B2 (en) | 2009-12-25 | 2014-04-01 | Golba, Llc | Secure apparatus for wirelessly transferring power and communicating with one or more slave devices |
US9005198B2 (en) * | 2010-01-29 | 2015-04-14 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Surgical instrument comprising an electrode |
CN102946798A (en) | 2010-02-01 | 2013-02-27 | 普罗秋斯数字健康公司 | Data gathering system |
US9107684B2 (en) * | 2010-03-05 | 2015-08-18 | Covidien Lp | System and method for transferring power to intrabody instruments |
TWI638652B (en) | 2010-04-07 | 2018-10-21 | 波提亞斯數位康健公司 | Miniature ingestible device |
US20110270362A1 (en) * | 2010-04-28 | 2011-11-03 | Medtronic, Inc. | Active circuit mri/emi protection powered by interfering energy for a medical stimulation lead and device |
TWI557672B (en) | 2010-05-19 | 2016-11-11 | 波提亞斯數位康健公司 | Computer system and computer-implemented method to track medication from manufacturer to a patient, apparatus and method for confirming delivery of medication to a patient, patient interface device |
US9113190B2 (en) * | 2010-06-04 | 2015-08-18 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Controlling power levels of electronic devices through user interaction |
US8673003B1 (en) * | 2010-07-20 | 2014-03-18 | Abdullah Khalid Al Rasheed | Method for improving the early detection of breast cancer and device therefor |
US20120116155A1 (en) * | 2010-11-04 | 2012-05-10 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Light-based, transcutaneous video signal transmission |
WO2012071280A2 (en) | 2010-11-22 | 2012-05-31 | Proteus Biomedical, Inc. | Ingestible device with pharmaceutical product |
US9077188B2 (en) | 2012-03-15 | 2015-07-07 | Golba Llc | Method and system for a battery charging station utilizing multiple types of power transmitters for wireless battery charging |
US9246349B2 (en) | 2010-12-27 | 2016-01-26 | Golba Llc | Method and system for wireless battery charging utilizing ultrasonic transducer array based beamforming |
US8963708B2 (en) * | 2011-01-13 | 2015-02-24 | Sensurtec, Inc. | Breach detection in solid structures |
US10092291B2 (en) | 2011-01-25 | 2018-10-09 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Surgical instrument with selectively rigidizable features |
DE102011011767A1 (en) * | 2011-02-18 | 2012-08-23 | Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland Gmbh | Medical device with multi-function display |
US9233241B2 (en) | 2011-02-28 | 2016-01-12 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Electrical ablation devices and methods |
US9254169B2 (en) | 2011-02-28 | 2016-02-09 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Electrical ablation devices and methods |
US9314620B2 (en) | 2011-02-28 | 2016-04-19 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Electrical ablation devices and methods |
US9049987B2 (en) | 2011-03-17 | 2015-06-09 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Hand held surgical device for manipulating an internal magnet assembly within a patient |
US8620113B2 (en) | 2011-04-25 | 2013-12-31 | Microsoft Corporation | Laser diode modes |
US8760395B2 (en) | 2011-05-31 | 2014-06-24 | Microsoft Corporation | Gesture recognition techniques |
US10841508B2 (en) | 2011-06-10 | 2020-11-17 | Flir Systems, Inc. | Electrical cabinet infrared monitor systems and methods |
US9706137B2 (en) * | 2011-06-10 | 2017-07-11 | Flir Systems, Inc. | Electrical cabinet infrared monitor |
WO2015112603A1 (en) | 2014-01-21 | 2015-07-30 | Proteus Digital Health, Inc. | Masticable ingestible product and communication system therefor |
US9756874B2 (en) | 2011-07-11 | 2017-09-12 | Proteus Digital Health, Inc. | Masticable ingestible product and communication system therefor |
CN103827914A (en) | 2011-07-21 | 2014-05-28 | 普罗秋斯数字健康公司 | Mobile communication device, system, and method |
US8771206B2 (en) | 2011-08-19 | 2014-07-08 | Accenture Global Services Limited | Interactive virtual care |
US9570420B2 (en) | 2011-09-29 | 2017-02-14 | Broadcom Corporation | Wireless communicating among vertically arranged integrated circuits (ICs) in a semiconductor package |
US9318785B2 (en) | 2011-09-29 | 2016-04-19 | Broadcom Corporation | Apparatus for reconfiguring an integrated waveguide |
US9075105B2 (en) * | 2011-09-29 | 2015-07-07 | Broadcom Corporation | Passive probing of various locations in a wireless enabled integrated circuit (IC) |
US8635637B2 (en) | 2011-12-02 | 2014-01-21 | Microsoft Corporation | User interface presenting an animated avatar performing a media reaction |
GB2497295A (en) * | 2011-12-05 | 2013-06-12 | Gassecure As | Method and system for gas detection |
US9100685B2 (en) | 2011-12-09 | 2015-08-04 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Determining audience state or interest using passive sensor data |
CN102622916A (en) * | 2012-03-09 | 2012-08-01 | 浙江大学 | Human body acupuncture point projection demonstration method and device |
US8898687B2 (en) | 2012-04-04 | 2014-11-25 | Microsoft Corporation | Controlling a media program based on a media reaction |
CA2775700C (en) | 2012-05-04 | 2013-07-23 | Microsoft Corporation | Determining a future portion of a currently presented media program |
US9427255B2 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2016-08-30 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Apparatus for introducing a steerable camera assembly into a patient |
US9444140B2 (en) * | 2012-05-23 | 2016-09-13 | Intel Corporation | Multi-element antenna beam forming configurations for millimeter wave systems |
US8808373B2 (en) | 2012-06-13 | 2014-08-19 | Elwha Llc | Breast implant with regionalized analyte sensors responsive to external power source |
US8795359B2 (en) * | 2012-06-13 | 2014-08-05 | Elwha Llc | Breast implant with regionalized analyte sensors and internal power source |
EP2861185A4 (en) * | 2012-06-13 | 2015-12-16 | Elwha Llc | Breast implant with analyte sensors and internal power source |
US8790400B2 (en) * | 2012-06-13 | 2014-07-29 | Elwha Llc | Breast implant with covering and analyte sensors responsive to external power source |
US9211185B2 (en) | 2012-06-13 | 2015-12-15 | Elwha Llc | Breast implant with analyte sensors and internal power source |
US9144488B2 (en) | 2012-06-13 | 2015-09-29 | Elwha Llc | Breast implant with analyte sensors responsive to external power source |
US9144489B2 (en) | 2012-06-13 | 2015-09-29 | Elwha Llc | Breast implant with covering, analyte sensors and internal power source |
US8968296B2 (en) * | 2012-06-26 | 2015-03-03 | Covidien Lp | Energy-harvesting system, apparatus and methods |
US9078662B2 (en) | 2012-07-03 | 2015-07-14 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Endoscopic cap electrode and method for using the same |
US9545290B2 (en) | 2012-07-30 | 2017-01-17 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Needle probe guide |
US10314649B2 (en) | 2012-08-02 | 2019-06-11 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Flexible expandable electrode and method of intraluminal delivery of pulsed power |
US9572623B2 (en) | 2012-08-02 | 2017-02-21 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Reusable electrode and disposable sheath |
US9277957B2 (en) | 2012-08-15 | 2016-03-08 | Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | Electrosurgical devices and methods |
US9259577B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2016-02-16 | Greatbatch Ltd. | Method and system of quick neurostimulation electrode configuration and positioning |
US8868199B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2014-10-21 | Greatbatch Ltd. | System and method of compressing medical maps for pulse generator or database storage |
US9594877B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2017-03-14 | Nuvectra Corporation | Virtual reality representation of medical devices |
US9375582B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2016-06-28 | Nuvectra Corporation | Touch screen safety controls for clinician programmer |
US9507912B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2016-11-29 | Nuvectra Corporation | Method and system of simulating a pulse generator on a clinician programmer |
US9180302B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2015-11-10 | Greatbatch Ltd. | Touch screen finger position indicator for a spinal cord stimulation programming device |
US9615788B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2017-04-11 | Nuvectra Corporation | Method and system of producing 2D representations of 3D pain and stimulation maps and implant models on a clinician programmer |
US8812125B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2014-08-19 | Greatbatch Ltd. | Systems and methods for the identification and association of medical devices |
US9471753B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2016-10-18 | Nuvectra Corporation | Programming and virtual reality representation of stimulation parameter Groups |
US8983616B2 (en) | 2012-09-05 | 2015-03-17 | Greatbatch Ltd. | Method and system for associating patient records with pulse generators |
US8903496B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2014-12-02 | Greatbatch Ltd. | Clinician programming system and method |
US10668276B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2020-06-02 | Cirtec Medical Corp. | Method and system of bracketing stimulation parameters on clinician programmers |
US8761897B2 (en) | 2012-08-31 | 2014-06-24 | Greatbatch Ltd. | Method and system of graphical representation of lead connector block and implantable pulse generators on a clinician programmer |
US8757485B2 (en) | 2012-09-05 | 2014-06-24 | Greatbatch Ltd. | System and method for using clinician programmer and clinician programming data for inventory and manufacturing prediction and control |
US9767255B2 (en) | 2012-09-05 | 2017-09-19 | Nuvectra Corporation | Predefined input for clinician programmer data entry |
US9161171B2 (en) * | 2012-09-29 | 2015-10-13 | Mark Shaffer Annett | System and method for providing timely therapeutic interventions based on both public and private location-based messaging |
TWI659994B (en) | 2013-01-29 | 2019-05-21 | 美商普羅托斯數位健康公司 | Highly-swellable polymeric films and compositions comprising the same |
US9962533B2 (en) * | 2013-02-14 | 2018-05-08 | William Harrison Zurn | Module for treatment of medical conditions; system for making module and methods of making module |
US9848793B2 (en) * | 2013-02-15 | 2017-12-26 | Masdar Institute Of Science And Technology | Machine-based patient-specific seizure classification system |
US10098527B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2018-10-16 | Ethidcon Endo-Surgery, Inc. | System for performing a minimally invasive surgical procedure |
US10175376B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2019-01-08 | Proteus Digital Health, Inc. | Metal detector apparatus, system, and method |
JP6498177B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2019-04-10 | プロテウス デジタル ヘルス, インコーポレイテッド | Identity authentication system and method |
JP6511439B2 (en) | 2013-06-04 | 2019-05-15 | プロテウス デジタル ヘルス, インコーポレイテッド | Systems, devices, and methods for data collection and outcome assessment |
US9796576B2 (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2017-10-24 | Proteus Digital Health, Inc. | Container with electronically controlled interlock |
US9124305B2 (en) | 2013-09-03 | 2015-09-01 | Blackberry Limited | Device, method and system for efficiently powering a near field communication device |
EP3047618B1 (en) | 2013-09-20 | 2023-11-08 | Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | Methods, devices and systems for receiving and decoding a signal in the presence of noise using slices and warping |
US10084880B2 (en) * | 2013-11-04 | 2018-09-25 | Proteus Digital Health, Inc. | Social media networking based on physiologic information |
US20150367581A1 (en) * | 2014-06-21 | 2015-12-24 | Michael Tantillo | Methods and devices for breast implant surgery and selection |
CA2990814A1 (en) * | 2014-06-25 | 2015-12-30 | William L. Hunter | Devices, systems and methods for using and monitoring implants |
EP3160331A4 (en) | 2014-06-25 | 2018-09-12 | Canary Medical Inc. | Devices, systems and methods for using and monitoring orthopedic hardware |
US9678183B2 (en) | 2014-08-14 | 2017-06-13 | General Electric Company | Wireless actuator circuit for wireless actuation of micro electromechanical system switch for magnetic resonance imaging |
US11322969B2 (en) | 2014-08-15 | 2022-05-03 | Analog Devices International Unlimited Company | Wireless charging platform using beamforming for wireless sensor network |
US10211662B2 (en) | 2014-08-15 | 2019-02-19 | Analog Devices Global | Wireless charging platform using environment based beamforming for wireless sensor network |
US9808205B2 (en) * | 2014-08-27 | 2017-11-07 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Abnormality prediction device, abnormality prediction system, abnormality prediction method, biological information measuring device, biological information measuring system, and warning notification method |
CN112190236A (en) | 2014-09-17 | 2021-01-08 | 卡纳里医疗公司 | Devices, systems, and methods for using and monitoring medical devices |
CA2981004C (en) * | 2015-01-07 | 2024-04-09 | Northeastern University | Ultrasonic multiplexing network for implantable medical devices |
US10396948B2 (en) | 2015-01-07 | 2019-08-27 | Northeastern University | Ultrasonic multiplexing network for implantable medical devices |
WO2016128048A1 (en) | 2015-02-12 | 2016-08-18 | Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. | Full duplex radio with adaptive reception power reduction |
CN107529972B (en) | 2015-04-30 | 2020-04-21 | 索尼奥林巴斯医疗解决方案公司 | Signal processing device and medical observation system |
CA2985308C (en) | 2015-05-08 | 2020-10-27 | Synaptive Medical (Barbados) Inc. | Magnetic resonance visible labels and markers for encoding information |
US10130807B2 (en) | 2015-06-12 | 2018-11-20 | Cochlear Limited | Magnet management MRI compatibility |
US20160381473A1 (en) | 2015-06-26 | 2016-12-29 | Johan Gustafsson | Magnetic retention device |
CN104965989B (en) * | 2015-07-09 | 2017-10-31 | 成都华西公用医疗信息服务有限公司 | A kind of portable medical information system |
WO2017009849A1 (en) * | 2015-07-14 | 2017-01-19 | Mor Research Applications Ltd | Device, system and method for monitoring a surgical site |
US11051543B2 (en) | 2015-07-21 | 2021-07-06 | Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | Alginate on adhesive bilayer laminate film |
US9749017B2 (en) | 2015-08-13 | 2017-08-29 | Golba Llc | Wireless charging system |
WO2017040155A1 (en) * | 2015-09-01 | 2017-03-09 | The Government Of The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Miniature acoustic leaky-wave antenna for ultrasonic imaging |
US20170068792A1 (en) * | 2015-09-03 | 2017-03-09 | Bruce Reiner | System and method for medical device security, data tracking and outcomes analysis |
CN108028676B (en) * | 2015-09-08 | 2020-04-28 | 华为技术有限公司 | Full duplex MIMO radio unit and method for full duplex MIMO radio transmission and reception |
US10917730B2 (en) * | 2015-09-14 | 2021-02-09 | Cochlear Limited | Retention magnet system for medical device |
EP3413788A2 (en) * | 2016-02-09 | 2018-12-19 | Establishment Labs S.A. | Transponders and sensors for implantable medical devices and methods of use thereof |
KR102455911B1 (en) | 2016-03-23 | 2022-10-19 | 카나리 메디칼 아이엔씨. | Portable Reporting Processor for Alert Implants |
US11191479B2 (en) | 2016-03-23 | 2021-12-07 | Canary Medical Inc. | Implantable reporting processor for an alert implant |
KR102051875B1 (en) | 2016-07-22 | 2019-12-04 | 프로테우스 디지털 헬스, 인코포레이티드 | Electromagnetic detection and detection of ingestible event markers |
US10444203B2 (en) * | 2016-09-15 | 2019-10-15 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Ultrasonic vibration sensing |
US20190247234A1 (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2019-08-15 | Ohio State Innovation Foundation | Antimicrobial wound care dressing |
AU2017348094B2 (en) | 2016-10-26 | 2022-10-13 | Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | Methods for manufacturing capsules with ingestible event markers |
US11595768B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2023-02-28 | Cochlear Limited | Retention force increasing components |
WO2018154138A1 (en) * | 2017-02-27 | 2018-08-30 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Sequences for wireless charging of batteries in coils and implants |
US11123014B2 (en) * | 2017-03-21 | 2021-09-21 | Stryker Corporation | Systems and methods for ambient energy powered physiological parameter monitoring |
CN107070464B (en) * | 2017-06-13 | 2023-03-28 | 吉林大学 | Multi-path synchronous frequency division multiplexing millimeter wave frequency sweep signal generation device and method |
US10466353B2 (en) * | 2017-09-21 | 2019-11-05 | The Government Of The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Underwater acoustic leaky wave antenna |
CN108039942B (en) * | 2017-12-11 | 2020-10-30 | 天津工业大学 | Method for improving optimal system rate by collecting interference energy through passive relay in SWIPT system |
CN108020246A (en) * | 2018-01-22 | 2018-05-11 | 河北工业大学 | Acupuncture gimmick based on electromagnetic induction quantifies equipment |
US10756429B1 (en) * | 2018-03-22 | 2020-08-25 | Sprint Communications Company L.P. | Dynamic variation of power per antenna to facilitate beamforming of antenna array |
US11328826B2 (en) * | 2018-06-12 | 2022-05-10 | Clarius Mobile Health Corp. | System architecture for improved storage of electronic health information, and related methods |
KR101941578B1 (en) * | 2018-06-14 | 2019-01-23 | 주식회사 지앤아이테크 | Guiding light with solar cell and guiding system therewith |
CN109194492B (en) * | 2018-06-27 | 2020-09-18 | 华为技术有限公司 | Powered device PD and power over Ethernet POE system |
US11027143B2 (en) | 2020-02-06 | 2021-06-08 | Vivek K. Sharma | System and methods for treating cancer cells with alternating polarity magnetic fields |
US11344740B2 (en) | 2019-02-07 | 2022-05-31 | Asha Medical, Inc. | System and methods for treating cancer cells with alternating polarity magnetic fields |
CN113692302A (en) | 2019-02-07 | 2021-11-23 | V·K·沙玛 | System and method for treating cancer cells with alternating polarity magnetic fields |
KR102260203B1 (en) * | 2019-09-06 | 2021-06-04 | 오스템임플란트 주식회사 | Shape device |
AU2021228740A1 (en) * | 2020-02-28 | 2022-10-20 | Biophotas, Inc. | Battery powered systems for light therapy and related methods |
US11298564B2 (en) | 2020-03-10 | 2022-04-12 | Dennis M. Anderson | Medical, surgical and patient lighting apparatus, system, method and controls with pathogen killing electromagnetic radiation |
US20210376464A1 (en) * | 2020-06-02 | 2021-12-02 | Metawave Corporation | Frequency offset using sige phase shifters |
US20230028230A1 (en) * | 2021-07-26 | 2023-01-26 | Rfxlabs India Pvt Ltd | System and method for bio-medical samples identification and resource optimization |
CN115414107A (en) * | 2022-11-04 | 2022-12-02 | 清华大学 | Bone fracture plate for orthopedics department, system and method for monitoring skeletal strain of human body and storage medium |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040030242A1 (en) * | 2002-08-12 | 2004-02-12 | Jan Weber | Tunable MRI enhancing device |
US7027854B2 (en) * | 2000-03-30 | 2006-04-11 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Magnetic resonance imaging utilizing a microcoil |
US7125382B2 (en) * | 2004-05-20 | 2006-10-24 | Digital Angel Corporation | Embedded bio-sensor system |
US7266269B2 (en) * | 2004-12-16 | 2007-09-04 | General Electric Company | Power harvesting |
US20090216109A1 (en) * | 2005-10-06 | 2009-08-27 | Karmarkar Parag V | MRI Compatible Vascular Occlusive Devices and Related Methods of Treatment and Methods of Monitoring Implanted Devices |
US7597250B2 (en) * | 2003-11-17 | 2009-10-06 | Dpd Patent Trust Ltd. | RFID reader with multiple interfaces |
US7821402B2 (en) * | 2006-05-05 | 2010-10-26 | Quality Electrodynamics | IC tags/RFID tags for magnetic resonance imaging applications |
US8049504B2 (en) * | 2006-04-24 | 2011-11-01 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Simple decoupling of a multi-element RF coil, enabling also detuning and matching functionality |
Family Cites Families (98)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3559214A (en) * | 1968-10-17 | 1971-02-02 | William J Pangman | Compound prosthesis |
JPS5519124A (en) * | 1978-07-27 | 1980-02-09 | Olympus Optical Co | Camera system for medical treatment |
US4301804A (en) * | 1979-11-28 | 1981-11-24 | Medtronic, Inc. | Pacemaker with Hall effect externally controlled switch |
AU569636B2 (en) * | 1984-09-07 | 1988-02-11 | University Of Melbourne, The | Bipolar paired pulse supplied prosthetic device |
US5383915A (en) * | 1991-04-10 | 1995-01-24 | Angeion Corporation | Wireless programmer/repeater system for an implanted medical device |
US5494036A (en) * | 1993-11-26 | 1996-02-27 | Medrad, Inc. | Patient infusion system for use with MRI |
ES2208963T3 (en) * | 1997-01-03 | 2004-06-16 | Biosense, Inc. | PRESSURE SENSITIVE VASCULAR ENDOPROTESIS. |
DE19717023C2 (en) * | 1997-04-23 | 2003-02-06 | Micronas Gmbh | Device for treating malignant, tumorous tissue areas |
US5810888A (en) * | 1997-06-26 | 1998-09-22 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Thermodynamic adaptive phased array system for activating thermosensitive liposomes in targeted drug delivery |
US6240312B1 (en) * | 1997-10-23 | 2001-05-29 | Robert R. Alfano | Remote-controllable, micro-scale device for use in in vivo medical diagnosis and/or treatment |
US6239724B1 (en) * | 1997-12-30 | 2001-05-29 | Remon Medical Technologies, Ltd. | System and method for telemetrically providing intrabody spatial position |
US8489200B2 (en) * | 1998-07-06 | 2013-07-16 | Abiomed, Inc. | Transcutaneous energy transfer module with integrated conversion circuitry |
US6073050A (en) * | 1998-11-10 | 2000-06-06 | Advanced Bionics Corporation | Efficient integrated RF telemetry transmitter for use with implantable device |
US8636648B2 (en) * | 1999-03-01 | 2014-01-28 | West View Research, Llc | Endoscopic smart probe |
US6273904B1 (en) * | 1999-03-02 | 2001-08-14 | Light Sciences Corporation | Polymer battery for internal light device |
WO2000066204A1 (en) * | 1999-04-30 | 2000-11-09 | University Of Southern California | Implantable microbolus infusion pump |
TW529930B (en) * | 1999-08-27 | 2003-05-01 | Yamato Scale Co Ltd | Health condition judging/displaying device |
US7346391B1 (en) * | 1999-10-12 | 2008-03-18 | Flint Hills Scientific Llc | Cerebral or organ interface system |
US6564104B2 (en) * | 1999-12-24 | 2003-05-13 | Medtronic, Inc. | Dynamic bandwidth monitor and adjuster for remote communications with a medical device |
JP2003519879A (en) * | 2000-01-10 | 2003-06-24 | タリアン・エルエルシー | Device using histopathological and physiological biometric markers for authentication and activation |
US6813519B2 (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2004-11-02 | Medtronic Minimed, Inc. | Ambulatory medical apparatus and method using a robust communication protocol |
DE60126448T2 (en) * | 2000-04-17 | 2007-06-14 | Nec Corp. | Method and system for providing a home-based health service |
US7672730B2 (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2010-03-02 | Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural-function of a patient |
US6871099B1 (en) * | 2000-08-18 | 2005-03-22 | Advanced Bionics Corporation | Fully implantable microstimulator for spinal cord stimulation as a therapy for chronic pain |
TW542708B (en) * | 2000-08-31 | 2003-07-21 | Yamato Scale Co Ltd | Visceral adipose meter with body weighing function |
US7627145B2 (en) * | 2000-09-06 | 2009-12-01 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Personal identification device and method |
US6845267B2 (en) * | 2000-09-28 | 2005-01-18 | Advanced Bionics Corporation | Systems and methods for modulation of circulatory perfusion by electrical and/or drug stimulation |
US7198603B2 (en) * | 2003-04-14 | 2007-04-03 | Remon Medical Technologies, Inc. | Apparatus and methods using acoustic telemetry for intrabody communications |
US7024248B2 (en) * | 2000-10-16 | 2006-04-04 | Remon Medical Technologies Ltd | Systems and methods for communicating with implantable devices |
SE0100284D0 (en) * | 2001-01-31 | 2001-01-31 | St Jude Medical | Medical communication system |
SE0100669D0 (en) * | 2001-02-27 | 2001-02-27 | St Jude Medical | Implantable device |
US20050119580A1 (en) * | 2001-04-23 | 2005-06-02 | Eveland Doug C. | Controlling access to a medical monitoring system |
US20030037054A1 (en) * | 2001-08-09 | 2003-02-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method for controlling access to medical information |
DE10148462C1 (en) * | 2001-10-01 | 2003-06-18 | Siemens Ag | Transmission method for an analog magnetic resonance signal and devices corresponding to it |
US7729776B2 (en) * | 2001-12-19 | 2010-06-01 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | Implantable medical device with two or more telemetry systems |
US7819826B2 (en) * | 2002-01-23 | 2010-10-26 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Implantable thermal treatment method and apparatus |
US20040057340A1 (en) * | 2002-04-10 | 2004-03-25 | Joy Charles-Erickson | Personal, medical & financial risk management device |
JP2004049345A (en) * | 2002-07-17 | 2004-02-19 | Nippon Colin Co Ltd | Medical information providing system and cellular phone |
JP2004113629A (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2004-04-15 | Olympus Corp | Ultrasonograph |
US7349741B2 (en) * | 2002-10-11 | 2008-03-25 | Advanced Bionics, Llc | Cochlear implant sound processor with permanently integrated replenishable power source |
JP2004216125A (en) * | 2002-11-19 | 2004-08-05 | Seiko Instruments Inc | Biological information detection terminal control system |
US7952349B2 (en) * | 2002-12-09 | 2011-05-31 | Ferro Solutions, Inc. | Apparatus and method utilizing magnetic field |
US20120010867A1 (en) * | 2002-12-10 | 2012-01-12 | Jeffrey Scott Eder | Personalized Medicine System |
US7452334B2 (en) * | 2002-12-16 | 2008-11-18 | The Regents Of The University Of Michigan | Antenna stent device for wireless, intraluminal monitoring |
JP3837533B2 (en) * | 2003-01-15 | 2006-10-25 | 独立行政法人産業技術総合研究所 | Attitude angle processing apparatus and attitude angle processing method |
CN100475128C (en) * | 2003-04-10 | 2009-04-08 | 株式会社Ipb | Biological information monitoring system |
WO2004096051A1 (en) * | 2003-04-25 | 2004-11-11 | Board Of Control Of Michigan Technological University | Method and apparatus for blood flow measurement using millimeter wave band |
US6972692B2 (en) * | 2003-04-25 | 2005-12-06 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and device for increasing effective radiated power from a subscriber device |
WO2005007223A2 (en) * | 2003-07-16 | 2005-01-27 | Sasha John | Programmable medical drug delivery systems and methods for delivery of multiple fluids and concentrations |
US7285093B2 (en) * | 2003-10-10 | 2007-10-23 | Imadent Ltd. | systems for ultrasonic imaging of a jaw, methods of use thereof and coupling cushions suited for use in the mouth |
JP2005137401A (en) * | 2003-11-04 | 2005-06-02 | Pentax Corp | Endoscope processor |
TWI236533B (en) * | 2003-11-07 | 2005-07-21 | Univ Nat Chiao Tung | Biochemical sensing method and its sensor |
US20070027532A1 (en) * | 2003-12-22 | 2007-02-01 | Xingwu Wang | Medical device |
JP2005185560A (en) * | 2003-12-25 | 2005-07-14 | Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic Inc | Medical image processing apparatus and medical image processing system |
US7606535B2 (en) * | 2004-04-01 | 2009-10-20 | Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. | Modular wide-range transceiver |
US7794499B2 (en) * | 2004-06-08 | 2010-09-14 | Theken Disc, L.L.C. | Prosthetic intervertebral spinal disc with integral microprocessor |
EP1811914B1 (en) * | 2004-09-21 | 2015-07-01 | Shalon Ventures Inc. | Tissue expansion devices |
US7193712B2 (en) * | 2004-10-14 | 2007-03-20 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Methods and apparatus for measuring an electromagnetic radiation response property associated with a substrate |
WO2006059338A2 (en) * | 2004-12-02 | 2006-06-08 | Given Imaging Ltd. | Device, system and method of in-vivo electro-stimulation |
US7353063B2 (en) * | 2004-12-22 | 2008-04-01 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | Generating and communicating web content from within an implantable medical device |
EP1891741A4 (en) * | 2005-06-08 | 2011-08-24 | Powercast Corp | Powering devices using rf energy harvesting |
US7857766B2 (en) * | 2005-06-20 | 2010-12-28 | Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research | System of implantable ultrasonic emitters for preventing restenosis following a stent procedure |
US8021384B2 (en) * | 2005-07-26 | 2011-09-20 | Ram Weiss | Extending intrabody capsule |
US7863188B2 (en) * | 2005-07-29 | 2011-01-04 | Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. | Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof |
JP4664158B2 (en) * | 2005-09-01 | 2011-04-06 | 富士通株式会社 | Authentication processing method and authentication server |
US9067047B2 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2015-06-30 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Injectable controlled release fluid delivery system |
US8083710B2 (en) * | 2006-03-09 | 2011-12-27 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Acoustically controlled substance delivery device |
US20070129602A1 (en) * | 2005-11-22 | 2007-06-07 | Given Imaging Ltd. | Device, method and system for activating an in-vivo imaging device |
US8265765B2 (en) * | 2005-12-08 | 2012-09-11 | Cochlear Limited | Multimodal auditory fitting |
JP4981316B2 (en) * | 2005-12-16 | 2012-07-18 | オリンパスメディカルシステムズ株式会社 | Intra-subject introduction device |
US20070167723A1 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2007-07-19 | Intel Corporation | Optical magnetometer array and method for making and using the same |
US7678043B2 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2010-03-16 | Given Imaging, Ltd. | Device, system and method for in-vivo sensing of a body lumen |
JP4822850B2 (en) * | 2006-01-16 | 2011-11-24 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Magnetic resonance measurement method |
US7869783B2 (en) * | 2006-02-24 | 2011-01-11 | Sky Cross, Inc. | Extended smart antenna system |
CA2689413A1 (en) * | 2006-03-17 | 2007-09-27 | Endurance Rhythm, Inc. | Energy generating systems for implanted medical devices |
US7650185B2 (en) * | 2006-04-25 | 2010-01-19 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | System and method for walking an implantable medical device from a sleep state |
US8086316B2 (en) * | 2006-05-24 | 2011-12-27 | Drexel University | Wireless controlled neuromodulation system |
US20080046038A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2008-02-21 | Hill Gerard J | Local communications network for distributed sensing and therapy in biomedical applications |
US7925355B2 (en) * | 2006-07-17 | 2011-04-12 | Advanced Bionics, Llc | Systems and methods for determining a threshold current level required to evoke a stapedial muscle reflex |
US20080021732A1 (en) * | 2006-07-20 | 2008-01-24 | Athenahealth, Inc. | Automated Configuration of Medical Practice Management Systems |
AU2007276780A1 (en) * | 2006-07-24 | 2008-01-31 | Novalert, Inc. | Method and apparatus for minimally invasive implants |
US7664548B2 (en) * | 2006-10-06 | 2010-02-16 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | Distributed neuromodulation system for treatment of cardiovascular disease |
WO2008063338A2 (en) * | 2006-10-18 | 2008-05-29 | Buckeye Pharmaceuticals, Llc | Chemical compound delivery device and method |
US20080280581A1 (en) * | 2007-05-11 | 2008-11-13 | Broadcom Corporation, A California Corporation | RF receiver with adjustable antenna assembly |
US8805530B2 (en) * | 2007-06-01 | 2014-08-12 | Witricity Corporation | Power generation for implantable devices |
EP2008584A1 (en) * | 2007-06-26 | 2008-12-31 | Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg | In vivo device, system and usage thereof |
US20090163977A1 (en) * | 2007-08-17 | 2009-06-25 | Searete Llc, A Limited Liability Corporation Of The State Of Delaware | System, devices, and methods including sterilizing excitation delivery implants with cryptographic logic components |
US20090077024A1 (en) * | 2007-09-14 | 2009-03-19 | Klaus Abraham-Fuchs | Search system for searching a secured medical server |
JP2009095583A (en) * | 2007-10-19 | 2009-05-07 | Panasonic Corp | Health information collection system and health information collection method |
US8457757B2 (en) * | 2007-11-26 | 2013-06-04 | Micro Transponder, Inc. | Implantable transponder systems and methods |
US8165668B2 (en) * | 2007-12-05 | 2012-04-24 | The Invention Science Fund I, Llc | Method for magnetic modulation of neural conduction |
EP2230993B1 (en) * | 2008-01-15 | 2018-08-15 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | Implantable medical device with antenna |
US7822479B2 (en) * | 2008-01-18 | 2010-10-26 | Otologics, Llc | Connector for implantable hearing aid |
JP5236752B2 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2013-07-17 | カーディアック ペースメイカーズ, インコーポレイテッド | Radio frequency loaded antenna for implantable devices |
EP2266164B1 (en) * | 2008-03-04 | 2014-05-28 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | Implantable multi-length rf antenna |
US7917226B2 (en) * | 2008-04-23 | 2011-03-29 | Enteromedics Inc. | Antenna arrangements for implantable therapy device |
US20100256992A1 (en) * | 2009-04-02 | 2010-10-07 | Docvia, Llc | Web-and mobile-based emergency health registry system and method |
US20110077718A1 (en) * | 2009-09-30 | 2011-03-31 | Broadcom Corporation | Electromagnetic power booster for bio-medical units |
-
2009
- 2009-11-25 US US12/626,446 patent/US20110077718A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-11-25 US US12/626,490 patent/US20110077719A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-12-29 US US12/649,030 patent/US20110077700A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-12-29 US US12/649,049 patent/US9081878B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-12-29 US US12/648,992 patent/US20110077736A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2010
- 2010-01-31 US US12/697,263 patent/US20110077713A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-05-20 US US12/783,649 patent/US8489199B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-05-20 US US12/783,641 patent/US20110077623A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-05-26 US US12/787,786 patent/US8923967B2/en active Active
- 2010-07-01 US US12/829,279 patent/US20110077459A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-07-01 US US12/829,299 patent/US20110077476A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-07-01 US US12/829,284 patent/US20110077513A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-07-01 US US12/829,291 patent/US20110077716A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-08-02 US US12/848,823 patent/US8254853B2/en active Active
- 2010-08-02 US US12/848,901 patent/US20110077697A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-08-02 US US12/848,812 patent/US20110077501A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-08-02 US US12/848,802 patent/US9111021B2/en active Active
- 2010-08-02 US US12/848,830 patent/US20110077675A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2012
- 2012-08-06 US US13/567,664 patent/US8526894B2/en active Active
-
2015
- 2015-07-13 US US14/798,336 patent/US20150314116A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7027854B2 (en) * | 2000-03-30 | 2006-04-11 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Magnetic resonance imaging utilizing a microcoil |
US20040030242A1 (en) * | 2002-08-12 | 2004-02-12 | Jan Weber | Tunable MRI enhancing device |
US7597250B2 (en) * | 2003-11-17 | 2009-10-06 | Dpd Patent Trust Ltd. | RFID reader with multiple interfaces |
US7125382B2 (en) * | 2004-05-20 | 2006-10-24 | Digital Angel Corporation | Embedded bio-sensor system |
US7241266B2 (en) * | 2004-05-20 | 2007-07-10 | Digital Angel Corporation | Transducer for embedded bio-sensor using body energy as a power source |
US7266269B2 (en) * | 2004-12-16 | 2007-09-04 | General Electric Company | Power harvesting |
US20090216109A1 (en) * | 2005-10-06 | 2009-08-27 | Karmarkar Parag V | MRI Compatible Vascular Occlusive Devices and Related Methods of Treatment and Methods of Monitoring Implanted Devices |
US8049504B2 (en) * | 2006-04-24 | 2011-11-01 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Simple decoupling of a multi-element RF coil, enabling also detuning and matching functionality |
US7821402B2 (en) * | 2006-05-05 | 2010-10-26 | Quality Electrodynamics | IC tags/RFID tags for magnetic resonance imaging applications |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100157859A1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | Ralph Oppelt | Remotely fed module |
US8379549B2 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2013-02-19 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Remotely fed module |
US10539633B2 (en) * | 2014-06-03 | 2020-01-21 | Shanghai Institute Of Microsystem And Information Technology, Chinese Academy Of Sciences | Ultrahigh resolution magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20110077580A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077736A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077513A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20120323088A1 (en) | 2012-12-20 |
US8489199B2 (en) | 2013-07-16 |
US20110077476A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077459A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077715A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077719A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US9081878B2 (en) | 2015-07-14 |
US20110077675A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US8526894B2 (en) | 2013-09-03 |
US20110077716A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077697A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077623A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077718A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077502A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US9111021B2 (en) | 2015-08-18 |
US8254853B2 (en) | 2012-08-28 |
US20110077714A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110077700A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US8923967B2 (en) | 2014-12-30 |
US20110077713A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20110076983A1 (en) | 2011-03-31 |
US20150314116A1 (en) | 2015-11-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20110077501A1 (en) | Micro mri unit | |
US8515548B2 (en) | Article of clothing including bio-medical units | |
EP2498196A2 (en) | Bio-medical unit system for medication control | |
US8515533B2 (en) | Bio-medical unit system for physical therapy | |
US20110144573A1 (en) | Bio-medical unit system for medication control | |
US9161693B2 (en) | Miniaturized electronic device ingestible by a subject or implantable inside a body of the subject | |
US11369267B2 (en) | Reconfigurable implantable medical system for ultrasonic power control and telemetry | |
JP5771199B2 (en) | Device for processing and transmitting measurement signals for monitoring and / or controlling medical implants, diagnostic devices or biological techniques | |
Schnakenberg et al. | Intravascular pressure monitoring system | |
Qiblawey et al. | Instrumented hip implant: A review | |
Hua et al. | Design and in-vivo test of battery-free implantable temperature sensor based on magnetic resonant wireless power transfer | |
CN109419489A (en) | It can plant subcutaneous microchip and its corollary system | |
CN110292347B (en) | Auxiliary examination device for digestive system department | |
Nattar Ranganathan | Wireless Biomedical Sensing: Wireless Power, Communication and Computation for Wearable and Implantable Devices | |
Ma et al. | Power Transferring and Analogue Communication Approach for Implantable Devices | |
Guida | Remotely Rechargeable Embedded Platforms for Next Generation IoT Systems in Extreme Environments | |
Sanni | A Three-tier Bio-implantable Sensor Monitoring and Communications Platform |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BROADCOM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ROFOUGARAN, AHMADREZA (REZA);REEL/FRAME:026230/0200 Effective date: 20100728 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:BROADCOM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:037806/0001 Effective date: 20160201 Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NORTH Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:BROADCOM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:037806/0001 Effective date: 20160201 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD., SINGAPORE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BROADCOM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:041706/0001 Effective date: 20170120 Owner name: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BROADCOM CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:041706/0001 Effective date: 20170120 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BROADCOM CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS;ASSIGNOR:BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:041712/0001 Effective date: 20170119 |