GALVANIC TRANSDERMAL CONDUCTION COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A bi-directional galvanic conduction trans-dermal communication system (12) is disclosed. The system (12) includes an internal communication device (18) implanted inside the body of a patient, and an external communication device (14). The external communication device (14) includes an external transmitter (56) which transmits a carrier signal into the body of the patient during communication from the internal communication device (18) to the external communication device (14). The carrier signal causes galvanic conduction to occur through the skin of the patient. The internal communication device (18) includes an internal modulator (38) that modulates the carrier signal with information stored in the internal communication device (18) by selectively controlling the level of galvanic conduction that occurs through the skin of the patient. During external to internal communication, an external modulator (54) modulates the carrier signal with information contained in the external communication device (14). Accordingly the majority of the energy required for communication between the internal, and external communication devices (14, 18) regardless of direction is provided by the external communication device (14).