Tiny computers; better, smarter, injectable

University of Michigan engineers have been working on developing tiny electronic devices that are small enough to be injectable using a standard size syringe. Their latest development is a miniature antenna that can transmit and receive data in vivo at distances up to one foot. It uses magnetism instead of electromagnetic radiation because the body attenuates the latter very strongly.

This is an important development that will help advance the field of implantable devices, making them smaller and more capable, as well as allowing external monitoring devices that connect to the implants to be worn not just above the implant sites.

This could mean early detection of irregular heartbeats and monitoring of glucose levels in diabetics. This radio was specifically designed to talk through tissue using magnetic fields. Because the radio has increased reach, it can communicate from inside the body to a mobile phone.

Here’s a video report from University of Michigan on the new antenna:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Ixd_KE_10[/embed]