Free space optical link for biomedical applications

• Free space optics is an interesting alternative for telemetry with medical implants, due to the high data bandwidths available at optical frequencies. Especially implanted brain-computer interfaces gives rise to large data sets that needs to be transmitted transcutaneous. In this paper we show that it is possible to establish such a link at near-IR wavelengths using a modulated reflector in the implant, thus keeping the laser and the detector on the outside. In addition, we show that it will not only work on short, i.e. touch, distances but also at larger distances, in the range of a meter. We have used an electro absorption modulator to modulate the reflection of an external laser source back towards an external detector. The only part of this system that needs to be implanted is the modulator and drive electronics. The study has been done both by Monte-Carlo simulations of a multi-layer model of a rat skull, and with an experiment demonstrating the feasibility of the link when transmitted through biological tissue. The results show that it is possible to establish a transcutaneous link with an external laser source and light detector, and an internal modulated reflector.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Atom- och molekylfysik och optik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Biological tissues

Biomedical applications

Data bandwidth

Drive electronics

External laser sources

Free space optics

Free-space optical link

Large datasets

Medical implants

Monte Carlo Simulation

Multilayer models

Near-IR

Optical frequency

Transcutaneous

Transcutaneous link

Digital storage

Intelligent systems

Medical applications

Pulse circuits

Reflection

Lasers

animal

article

computer simulation

functions of the skin and its appendages

in vitro study

medical technology

methodology

Monte Carlo method

mouse

optics

rat

signal noise ratio

theoretical model

Animals

Biomedical Technology

Mice

Models

Theoretical

Optics and Photonics

Rats

Signal-To-Noise Ratio

Skin Physiological Phenomena

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)