Haptic subdermals with interchangable sensors
I have a project I'd like to do. It has a lot in common with the southpaw project. I'm hoping I can describe this well enough. What I'd like is going to be very similar to the haptic radar found here:
http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.html
I'd like to make 12 subdermal haptic implants (see picture) which would simply vibrate when the conditions are right. Each implant would correspond to a certain direction (12 o'clock, 9 o'clock, etc.). I'd like the sensors to be external devices that send messages to my implants. This way, when my 4 o'clock sensor detects a collision point, it sends a signal to my 4 o'clock buzzer (for lack of a better word).
I'd like to be able to play with a wide range of sensors and have them communicate with the implants. For example, maybe I had an X-ray sensor that I wore one day, then a thermal sensor the next, etc. It might also be cool to program the sensors with different pulse signals so I could make sense of multiple devices. Am I making any sense? How can I do this?
http://www.k2.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/perception/HapticRadar/index-e.html
I'd like to make 12 subdermal haptic implants (see picture) which would simply vibrate when the conditions are right. Each implant would correspond to a certain direction (12 o'clock, 9 o'clock, etc.). I'd like the sensors to be external devices that send messages to my implants. This way, when my 4 o'clock sensor detects a collision point, it sends a signal to my 4 o'clock buzzer (for lack of a better word).
I'd like to be able to play with a wide range of sensors and have them communicate with the implants. For example, maybe I had an X-ray sensor that I wore one day, then a thermal sensor the next, etc. It might also be cool to program the sensors with different pulse signals so I could make sense of multiple devices. Am I making any sense? How can I do this?
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Subdermal magnets actuated by coils on the skin surface would also be doable (to the point that I'm not sure very much would be learned), and would mean no power worries and a good deal of finesse possible in the output.
Subdermal magnets sounds like a very clean way to do this.
@DirectorX
Where exactly were you thinking of putting these implants?
Were you thinking of a single series of implant in one place, or several implants or clusters of implants? For example I can see the benefit of having implants in you hands responding to one sensor, while implants in you neck responds to another. (haptic feedback when object moves closer behind you?)
You could place a small device on the skin directly over the implant, this device could either both active the implant and contain the sensor, or just be a activator, in turn receiving signals form a sensor.
I am not sure how small you can get a wireless system for this kind of project, but a nice way would be to fasten small activator devices over each implants, either with some sort of adhesive or using a piercing-type hold, or just putting it in a simple armband or something. You could then have a programmable device somewhere else providing the inputs for the activators.
Of course you could also simply make the implant active, and able to receive direct input, though this would demand more maintenance and would probably increase implant size.
The more implants involved, the more attractive it seems to use Unqualified's idea of subdermal magnets + external coil actuators.
Alright, can someone send me a tutorial on posting photos? I can't get it working.
@AxiomaticBadger: I want all of the processing to be external. The implants are just there to relay a signal.
@Unqualified: How do you feel about those kinetic gyro devices for recharging (as found in many watches)?
@Shiprat: The idea was for multiple implants. I made a picture with locations.
@DirectorX: I've never played with them. First test would be to tape one to the implant site with something to measure generated power attached and wear it for as long and typical a time as possible.
@SixEcho: more power, drive an implanted solenoid? You'd definitely feel that... ",)
I'd have concerns about a jacket/backpack and stuff like that...
But these subdermals would be great for testing purposes. I thought about simply an antenna connected to an open end of a wire. Maybe two open ends on either end of the antenna, but that is imho just a technical detail. The length and shape of the antenna determin the frequency it reacts to. An external coil submits whatever signal you want, so you could change the sensors externally and have some sort of a pseudo transdermal device. Great for testing stuff before implanting it, or you don't have to implant it any more.
Edit: oh, and yeah, that would be basically the technology of rfid
I might be able to modify the original locations enough to avoid skeletal interference. I would likely have to reduce the number of implants though. Tomorrow I will have my wife tape a bunch of coins to me so I can experiment with different configurations. I'll try a modified version of the first configuration as well as the waist and belt line.
It shouldn't necessary, though; you could implant them in a line down your thigh, and so long as the nerve sensitivity is high enough, and it would likely be fine. Input from your sensors shouldn't need to conform to the sensors' positions; neuroplasticity is a wonderful thing. ",)
(These weasel words brought to you courtesy of the fact that the only research I know of to back this up is the "seeing-eye tongue").
Yesterday I taped coins around my waist and also around my chest/back. I managed to place the coins in spots where I still had full range of motion. I have concerns about putting something against my spine. The thought of a scalpel near my kidneys also scares the shit out of me. I think my next step is to build some prototypes and then belt them to certain areas. I'm still doing research on components. The RFID thing looks like it might be the easiest.
I have concerns on what might happen in the event that a battery is compromised. Will a silicon membrane be able to withstand battery acid?
I've tried to do some research to find any cases of subdermal batteries but have found nothing that any of us (presumably) would have access to without breaking the bank. Pacemakers, which run on batteries, last 7-8 years then must be replaced, I haven't looked into them but I assume that the standard battery alone would be out of most of our price ranges. Even if it's not the difference in energy use between a pacemaker and whatever we use it for would surely shorten the battery lifespan, which would bring me, more or less, back to point 3.
While I was looking into subdermal batteries, I came across this article http://www.physorg.com/news122819670.html the device it describes can turn oxygen and glucose into energy, once the price tag on this type of device drops (which is of course going to take some time) I say let's start busting out the scalpels. This technology will be readily available in the future, you'll probably be able to get it at radio shack or something, and when this happens I see interest in subdermals EXPLODING.
But, in the mean time if we you do intend to move along and use standard batteries, what about adapting something like this battery charging grid? http://www.duracell.com/en-US/category/mygrid.jspx That could remove the need for constant self surgery to replace the battery. I haven't looked into all the details of how it works and it very well might interfere with the grind itself making it useless or just be impractical from an engineering standpoint, but it's a thought.
Sorry to be such a buzz kill or whatever, I hope I'm wrong about this and you guys have the solution, this is just the pessimist in me speaking. I do wish you luck though, and be safe, or at least relatively so.
wings? It is a very noticeable and obnoxious sensation produced by such
a tiny little bug. What really sucks is when you can't get the bastard
out. You frantically rub your nose trying to kill it. The buzzing
stops and you think you have killed it. Then the gnat starts buzzing
like crazy again, sending you into a fit of rage. Those things can go
on for hours too. How much energy can a gnat possibly store? Anyone
else ever have that happen to them?