Novel Design of Low Power Device for Measurement and Conversion of Continuous Cellular Pulse-Rate Signal to Optical for Potential Use in Implantable Devices
Authors
Henderson, Matthew
Issue Date
2022
Type
Thesis
Language
Keywords
Amplifier , Bioelectricity , Implantable , Optical
Alternative Title
Abstract
Implantable devices have become increasingly commonplace as the technologies of electronic component manufacturing have allowed engineers to develop increasingly more capable devices at small scale. These devices are designed to survive the unique environment of the body. These design requirements must include being small enough to be implanted in their desired region of the body, as well as proper shielding from the noise of the activity of the surrounding tissues, and not having a negative effect on the health and function of the tissue surrounding the device. Light is an ideal medium for transduction of signals within an implantable device placed in the human body, as there are very few optically sensitive tissues, such as those of the eye. In an enclosed device no tissue activity within the body poses a risk of interference for optical signals. Implantable devices have historically served many purposes ranging from regulation devices such as pacemakers to supplemental roles like those of the artificial pancreas. Continuing this trend, the supplement or replacement of damaged nerves could be achieved by the design of a small, implantable device capable of amplifying the signal of nerves in damaged regions and converting them to a medium of transmission not prone to, or the cause of, interference within the body. To this end, this thesis will outline the design of a small device capable of amplifying bioelectric signals to a level wherein conversion to optically modulated signal is achieved.