RF-Ultrasound Relay for Wireless Power and Signaling to Implanted Devices

Researchers in Prof. Amin Arbabian's laboratory have developed a modular RF-Ultrasound architecture to download data, upload data or wirelessly charge devices implanted deep in the body. With this system, an exterior RF power unit transmits signal to an internal RF transceiver which then converts the energy to ultrasound that can propagate deeply into tissue with lower loss than electromagnetic energy. This platform could deliver data as well as generate power to a wireless node via piezoelectric materials. With appropriate tuning, this system could efficiently transmit a focused beam of ultrasound to a deeply situated implant without wires or batteries. In addition, the platform could be used in Internet of Things (IoT) applications.