Implanted magnet array feasibility?
So, I have been looking into the magnet implants and noticed many folks with them go all jedi when holding out their hands. So, I wanted to ask: Is the sensation limited to the finger tip? Also, is the intensity related to magnet size? The reason i ask is that i wonder if an array of tiny magnets (about 4x3x1 mm) with a hole for fibrous tissue to hold on to would be worthwhile. Placements would be the tips of each finger, between each knuckle (3 for each finger total, two for the thumb), one in the palm under each 1st knuckle, and 4 in an arch shape at thr base of the palm near the wrist.
I figured a small injector with a sort of scalpal tip could be made for easy implantation. Also figured smaller means less healing time as well.
Thoughts?
Edit: Excuse the messy sketch. I'm at work XD
imgur.com/wdQNgF1
Comments
Also there can't be just one nerve line per Hand, if there is then how can I feel with each finger?
About the hole... that'd probably be tricky to coat. It's also a lot less robust as the magnet would be prone to cracking when load is applied from certain directions. Best stick with a small convex shape.
A proper applicator seems like a good idea. I'd recommend a simpler design, less moving parts and easier to manufacture.
About finger sticking together and causing tissue trauma. The magnets are probably too small/weak to do that. Proper placement and orientation could reduce remaining risks even further.
And yes, that many magnets would cost a lot. If you want to try something like that I'd guess you best start by implanting one magnet per fingertip and see where the journey goes from there.
@S0lll0s I was kind of wondering if that might be a benefit of an array. The "stereo" sense. Figure it'd be the difference in poking an object (hardness, distance) vs groping an object (phrasing) (hardness, distance, depth, and maybe even texture?). So "HD" field perception.
As far as sensation, I wasn't sure (@ThomasEgi Thanks for clearing that up) if the sense generated was some sort of electromagnetic reaction that was actually conducting a current to/through the nerve or if it was from mechanical force/vibration.
@ThoasEgi Thanks for the heads up on placement. So, finger tips and palm aren't a terrible idea, but nix the finger joint placements?
As far as the shape what about a kind of tiny donut (rounded ring) curved like a pringle? Maybe just a flat donut? I'm just thinking about anchoring, y'know?
The injection device would only have the plunger as a sliding part and I figured the blades could be made from high carbon spring steel so they would just flex outward and generate a pocket as the magnet was injected. No hinges or anything. I'm still learning about surgery, but the mechanical principles seem sound; although, I worry that sliding through the blades made damage the bioproofing. Maybe I could make the whole thing plastic with the blades being the only metal part. I may be spitballing at this point though.
Once I have a sound magnet design, as mentioned above, I plan on milling and bioproofing them myself. I guess maybe I'll start with the finger tips and go from there since that seems to be the most tried and true method thus far.
Hey, thanks for all the great feedback folks!
I sort of doubt you'll get far with magnets in terms of HD filed perception. Magnets are quite big/heavy and require strong magnetic fields to produce a noticeable effect. If you want increased sensitivity and frequency response you should look into electronics. Using a magnetometer and electrode arrays you can detect and process fields as weak as earth's magnetic field. It'd also greatly increase the range of sensation.
Now for the polarization! my left hand was done as stated above with silicone encased magnets allowing them to "free float" inside a bubble. They would flip on their own from time to time. The only way I can describe it is a wobble in the field, it just wouldn't sit in its pocket right and was slightly annoying. The only cause I could figure was a disturbance in the van allen belts (Earths geomagnetic field), my logic behind this was sun spots. WITHOUT FAIL I could check the USGS website for a sun spot when this would happen and kept a diary. Every time it happened there was a sunspot. It makes sense when you think about it. The Van Allen belts affect every magnet on earth because the earth itself is a giant magnet. So weeble wooble go to the USGS...yup, it's a sunspot.
When I got my right hand done the magnets were directly bonded to my tissues via a biopolymer coating and done with a North out alignment. Now here's how I know polarization is vital. My middle finger was south out when put in because of a drop. As stated by others it's tricky to get them all in right and they will correct themselves if not happy. Over the past year it has been turning to a N out position to match the rest of my hand. It's about half way there now and you can see it when you pull the magnets with a larger external magnet. Further more the problem with wobbles in my right hand corrected itself overnight when I had the right hand done.
I hope your ready for some real fun!!! While I can't prove the ability to feel something from so far away (if you can come up with a satisfactory test I will gladly take it), I can certainly prove this one. A standard police taser X26 emits 50,000 volts and it aint shit! I won't get into details of how I found this out, but I can tell you 1.2 million volts feels like the static shock from the dryer or carpet. THIS I CAN AND WILL PROVE THIS...video coming soon :)
Okay, I'm done.
The most succinct answer to this threads original question is... we don't know. It's been theorized that arrays of magnets will not improve the directionality or sensitivity of magnetic sense, but it's impossible to say that every single variation of placement is identical. That being said, don't expect any stellar results from finding your own arrangement. And DEFINITELY don't think you'll be able to feel a nuke plant from 10 miles away. Nuke plants don't even release that much EMF. They're built like bunkers. If anything, most of their EMF goes up through the stacks. The rest would be dissipated by the walls of the plant and every other object including the air between you and the plant.