Communications for biomedical applications

Biomedical Signal Translation & Encoding​

• Conversion of acoustic signals into optical signals for neural stimulation.
• Development of signal processing methods that preserve the perceptual meaning of sound (e.g., frequency-specific stimulation of cochlear regions).

Energy-Efficient & Passive Implant Design

• Design of fully passive implanted systems that do not require onboard power or DSP units.
• Use of passive optical components (lenses, fibers, gratings) to guide and emit light based on wavelength and neural location.​

Optical Neural Stimulation & Optogenetics​

• Use of light to stimulate photosensitive neurons with high spatial and temporal fidelity.​

• Probability of neural damage (safety threshold)

• Probability of false-hearing (noise-induced stimulation)

• Probability of neural damage (safety threshold)

• Investigation of wavelength-specific stimulation (450–600 nm) for targeted neural activation.​

Transdermal Optical Communication Channels​

• Modeling and optimization of skin-channel characteristics (attenuation, scattering, pointing errors).​
• Link budget analysis to ensure sufficient photon flux for neural excitation while ensuring patient safety.​

System Modeling & Performance Metrics

• Development of novel KPIs:
• Closed-form expressions for photon flux, coupling efficiency, and misalignment effects.​

Safety & Green Communication

• Ensuring optical power levels remain within safe exposure limits (MPE).
• Comparison with conventional RF-based implants to highlight energy efficiency and reduced electromagnetic interference.

Integration of Advanced Optical Components​

• Use of Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) for wavelength-selective light emission at multiple cochlear sites.
• MEMS-based beam steering for alignment and customization to patient anatomy.​

Interdisciplinary System Feasibility

• Combining optics, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and communication theory.
• Experimental validation through simulations and reference to prior in-vivo optogenetic studies.​