A Multi-Cast Communication Scheme Using Weak Electrical Current for Intra-Body Networks

Implantable medical devices have paved the way for realizing intra-body networks (IBNs) that are capable of communicating information from within the body. Traditional forms of RF-based based communication face drawbacks in terms of high absorption within tissues and can potentially result in security and privacy issues, owing to the omnidirectional radiation. Instead, we propose the use of weak electrical current as a means of intra-body communication for implants within the human body and to a relay and gateway node located on the surface of the skin that facilitates remote patient monitoring. The main contributions of this paper are: (i) signal reflection and refraction analysis of electromagnetic waves through human tissue boundaries, and (ii) the design of a combined multi-hop and multi-cast communication scheme for communication between implants. Our results reveal that a multi-cast communication scheme can be achieved for IBNs with the appropriate selection of transmission parameters.