Pittsburgh, March 3, 2005 -- Research recently performed in the Laboratory for Computational Neuroscience, Center for Clinical Neurophysiology of the Department of Neurological Sugery has been awarded a U.S. patent entitled “Method of Data Commnication with Implanted Associate Apparatus.” Investigators for the project include Mingui Sun, PhD, and Robert Sclabassi, MD, PhD, of the Department of Neurological Surgery and Marlin Mickle of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.

The research describes an apparatus and method of communicating data employing current pulses transmitted by an implanted device through living biological tissue to an external device. The method also contemplates transmission of current pulses from the external device through living biological tissue to an implanted device. Uniquely configured antenna electrodes are preferably employed in the implanted device. Increase in signal-to-noise ration is achieved through sychronization. The method may be employed in diagnostic, theraputic and general monitoring activities in connection with human beings.

Ongoing research in this area is continuing with funding from the NIH and the US Army.