Skin-tenna technology promises to keep medical implants connected

We've already some efforts to tailor Bluetooth for use with medical devices, but it looks like a team of researchers from Queen's University Belfast have now come up with another method of keeping devices connected, which they say is more efficient and better suited for implants. Their solution is effectively a "skin-tenna," which makes use of a puck-like device worn on the outside of the body that allows wireless signals to "creep" along an individual's skin. That, the researchers say, not only minimizes the "off-body signals," but requires far less power than Bluetooth or other wireless technologies, which is obviously a plus when a battery change consists of a trip to the operating room.

[kastonie @ Jun 10th 2008 1:43AM]

i hope its not a sony battery they install inside of people...

[pinsleric @ Jun 10th 2008 2:05AM]

hmm... Reminds me of the skintenna from the "Uglies" book series.

[Reader @ Jun 10th 2008 2:40AM]

Ahhh the rise of teh mud peoples!

[Kash @ Jun 10th 2008 3:03AM]

I'm wondering if the ankle sensor has effects on your fertility.

[Rod Munch @ Jun 10th 2008 3:13AM]

He looks like hes off to see the Wizard...

[michas_pi @ Jun 10th 2008 3:42AM]

...the wonderful Wizard of Oz.

With his Power Glove.

[Ryan @ Jun 10th 2008 3:15AM]

I'm confused. What does this have to do with the iphone?

[Jaque-o @ Jun 10th 2008 3:21AM]

Skin-tastic!

[404 @ Jun 10th 2008 4:46AM]

Wait, QUB is in the news?

Amazing what goes on in your own uni without you realizing!

[Andrew @ Jun 10th 2008 8:14AM]

Holy crap that guy looks pissed!

[John Stracke @ Jun 10th 2008 8:05AM]

This isn't exactly new. I remember reading about an IBM researcher doing this (with non-medical gadgetry) in 1996, maybe 1997. He called it a Personal Area Network (a term which, these days, gets used for Bluetooth).

[itlnstln @ Jun 10th 2008 8:22AM]

Yeah, I've got your Skin-tenna...

[RichardBronosky @ Jun 10th 2008 9:18AM]

"...which is obviously a plus when a battery change consists of a trip to the operating room."

Works for the iPod, iPhone, and MacBook Air!

[spil @ Jun 10th 2008 9:26AM]

Wait, is this one of those magic energy things Iron man has?

[andreykireev @ Jun 10th 2008 10:12AM]

We are the Borg, Resistance is Futile!

[fischju @ Jun 10th 2008 11:13AM]

Saw this years ago, on engadget no less, and no less than twice (microsoft patented it)