Acoustic Intra-Body Data Transmission

Data transmission is one of the most important procedures of the capsule endoscopy technology, which provides patients and physicians with a non-invasive method for diagnosing GI disorders in the small bowel. Data transmission from the capsule to an external data recording system is usually accomplished with an RF data communications channel. It is proposed here to use ultrasound waves for transmission of images and telemetry information from a capsule inside a human body to outside receivers – the acoustic intra-body data transmission system. A physical model of the intra-body acoustic channel is presented, and architecture, schemes and signal processing algorithms of acoustic transmitters and receivers are considered. Digital and analog modulation/demodulation (modem) schemes for multi-path and single-path acoustic channels are proposed. Results of stochastic simulation and experimental testing of the proposed acoustic systems are discussed.