  Wireless implanted medical devices (IMDs) provide ease and comfort to an
increasing number of patients and physicians. Currently, radiofrequency
electromagnetic waves are the most commonly used method for communicating
wirelessly with IMDs. However, due to the restrictions on the available
bandwidth and the employable power, data rates of RF-based IMDs are limited to
267 kbps. Considering standard definition video streaming requiring 1.2 mbps
and high definition requiring 3 mbps bitrates, it is not possible to use such
devices for high data rate communication applications such as video streaming.
In this work, an alternative method that utilizes ultrasonic waves for IMDs to
relay information at high data rates is introduced. Advanced signal processing
and communication techniques are tailored to realize the full potential of the
ultrasonic channel through biological tissues. Consequently, the experiments
demonstrate that video-capable data rates can be achieved with mm-sized
transducers communicating through water, ex vivo beef liver, ex vivo pork chop,
and in situ through the rabbit abdomen.
