This Career proposal focuses on the development of ultra low power silicon based passive microsystems for deep in-body communications. Central to the concept of in-body communication passive devices is the idea of RF energy scavenging from weak incident fields using novel power conditioning circuits and reradiating, from deep inside the body, externally detectable amounts of power using highly efficient circuit topologies.
Intellectual Merit: This study will, (1) characterize voltage multipliers to determine fundamental tradeoffs in input voltage, leakage, reliability and efficiency for RF scavenging, (2) develop on-chip multi-resonant passive structures that will lead to amplifier integration and isolation, (3) evaluate and understand amplifier and multiplier interactions and (4) test the effectiveness of these power conditioning circuits for in-body signaling using human biological phantoms (i.e. solutions with equivalent electrical properties as the human body). The PI will build upon previous research in implantable integrated electronics and use advanced CMOS technology to bring forth fundamental advances in knowledge and innovation on miniature passive devices for in-body communications.
Broader Impacts: A specific high-impact engineering application of a miniature passive device with integrated RF subsystem is in medication compliance monitoring, as it is estimated that the annual cost to the U.S. healthcare system from non-compliance with medication regimens exceeds $100 billion. The proposed plan is intended to promote interest in multidisciplinary research that will provide graduate, undergraduate and high school students exposure to innovative integrated circuit technologies. The proposed educational plan will emphasize the participation of underrepresented groups at the high school level via educational modules with theoretical and experimental components in the integrated research and academic programs.
, the PI and his team have developed several low power silicon-based circuit techniques and passive microsystem technologies for in-body communications. One of the major outcomes of the proposed activities was the demonstration of a miniaturized and highly integrated RFID-like device that operates as an ingestible intelligent electronic event-marker to monitor compliance of pharmaceutical medications. Initial baseline operation of an encapsulated microchip and miniature antenna was demonstrated inside biological phantom solutions using a new asymmetric powering and communication scheme that enables tag operation from deep-set locations in the body. Also shown was the feasibility of powering devices inside the body using the body itself as a conduit for energizing small ultra-low power devices – unlike other well established methods such as inductive wireless powering schemes. This project has resulted in various intellectual outcomes including but not limited to experimental electrical models of human body channels; design and fabrication methods of flexible miniaturized radiating elements; an improved understanding of optimal frequency bands for power and communication using small antennas inside the body; and circuit techniques to enable powering and communication of small ultra-low power devices inside the body. A specific high-impact engineering application and broader outcome of the proposed technologies is in medication compliance monitoring, as it is estimated that the annual cost to the U.S. healthcare system from non-compliance with medication regimens exceeds $100 billion. Our proposed medication compliance technology comprises of an electronic microchip and a biocompatible antenna inlay placed on the surface of a standard 0 or 00 sized capsule (as illustrated in the figure). It is envisioned that this electronic pill (e-pill) would be monitored using an external point-of-care device such as a body-worn reader to detect the presence of the pill in the stomach or GI-tract after ingestion. In addition to intellectual, transformative and broader impacts, this project has provided an interdisciplinary platform for education and training of students at all levels of studies by directly sponsoring three PhDs, two MS, two undergraduates and a high-school student (including women and Hispanic students). Our research has received extensive news coverage in various mediums of communication, including the Internet, trade journals, radio broadcasts and television. Examples include the ABC Channel 12 News, Discovery Channel, LA Times, Time, Business Week, Popular Science, Gainesville Sun, American Medical News, RFID Journal, RF Globalnet, MIT Technology Review, and many others. The publicity has also generated significant interest from physicians, biotech firms and pharmaceutical companies. This work has results in a number of technical publications, patents, and even a spin-off company aim at commercializing the proposed technologies. Finally, the PI and collaborators were invited to showcase this work on electronic pills at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, in an exhibition entitled "Talk to Me: Design and the Communication between People and Objects," July 24 to November 7, 2011 - The exhibit explored the communication between people and things, and focused on objects that involve a direct interaction, such as interfaces, information systems, visualization design, and communication devices, and on projects that establish an emotional, sensual, or intellectual connection with their users. Our work was entitled "Swallow-Signaling Pill"
