Description

METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION USING BLOOD VESSEL

AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a method for communication using a blood vessel and an apparatus therefor, and more particularly, to a method for communicating by using a blood vessel, which transmits an acoustic wave signal to a blood vessel, and an apparatus therefor.

[2] This work was supported by the IT R&D program of MIC/IITA[2007-S-014-01,

Metro- Access Integrated Optical Network Technology].

[3]

Background Art

[4] A human body communication is a technology of realizing a data communication using human body instead of a data communication cable. Generally, human body communication is a method using variation of current flowing through the human body, in which a small amount of electric current is changed and expressed as 0 and 1 by bringing the human body to come into contact with transceiver electrodes. At this time, the electric current that actually passes through the body is around 500βk at maximum, which is of the same level as a body fat system and thus has no adverse effect on the body.

[5] Besides, there is another human body communication method using a variation of a surface electric field of the human body. As voltage is applied from the transceiver to the touching body by means of an insulation material, the surface of the body is changed. Such minute voltage differences are amplified and read as signals by a device, such as a photonic electric field sensor, equipped in a receiver.

[6] IHbwever, the purpose of a general human body communication is to merely transmit information through a human body. Additionally, there is a method of examining the condition of a human body by electrical stimulation, by which, however, only simple conditions, such as the moisture content, muscle mass, etc., of the human body, can be measured.

[7]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for communication using a blood vessel, which can transmit information by sending and receiving an acoustic wave signal through a blood vessel or the like of a human body and can detect a blood vessel state, a blood state, a change in blood flow, a change in blood flow velocity, etc. by analyzing the radio properties of a signal.

[9]

Technical Solution

[10] To accomplish the foregoing object, there is provided a method for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the steps of: converting input data into a corresponding acoustic wave signal; transmitting the acoustic wave signal through a blood vessel; and converting the acoustic wave signal received through the blood vessel into a corresponding data and outputting the converted data.

[11] Additionally, there is provided an apparatus for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising: an acoustic wave generating unit for generating a predetermined acoustic wave signal so as to send the signal through a blood vessel; and an acoustic wave signal control unit for controlling the acoustic wave generating unit so as to generate an acoustic wave signal corresponding to input data.

[12] Additionally, there is provided an apparatus for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising: an acoustic wave receiving unit for receiving an acoustic wave signal received through a blood vessel; and an acoustic wave signal analyzing unit for converting the received acoustic wave signal into a corresponding data and outputting the data.

[13]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram briefly illustrating an apparatus for communicating using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[15] FIG. 2 is a block diagram briefly illustrating an apparatus for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[16] FIG. 3 is a block diagram briefly illustrating an apparatus for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[17] FIG. 4 shows an example of a one-way communication apparatus using a blood vessel using a vein;

[18] FIG. 5 shows an example of a one-way communication apparatus using a blood vessel using an artery;

[19] FIG. 6 shows an example of a two-way communication apparatus using a blood vessel; and

[20] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a method for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[21]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[22] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[23] FIG. 1 is a block diagram briefly illustrating an apparatus for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[24] Referring to the drawing, the communication apparatus 100 using a blood vessel according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises an acoustic wave signal control unit 110 and an acoustic wave generating unit 120. The communication apparatus 100 using a blood vessel of FIG. 1 may be used as a transmitter using a blood vessel.

[25] The acoustic wave signal control unit 110 receives input data, and controls such that the acoustic wave generating unit 120 generates an acoustic wave signal on the basis of the received input data.

[26] The acoustic wave generating unit 120 generates an acoustic wave signal based on input data according to a control operation of the acoustic wave signal control unit 110.

[27] The generated acoustic wave signal is an analog signal having a predetermined frequency, and, preferably, contains information corresponding to the input data, such as the frequency, phase, pulse width, amplitude, etc. of the acoustic wave signal.

[28] The input data is a fixed value, preferably, a stored value. This is to allow the receiving side to compare an acoustic wave signal based on the stored value and an acoustic wave signal received through a blood vessel 10.

[29] As shown in FIG. 1, a blood vessel 10 or the like of a human body can be a good pathway for sending and receiving an acoustic wave signal because the blood vessel 10 is closedly connected and fluid occupies 46% to 63% of the blood of the human body. Therefore, in the present invention, by using this blood vessel 10 as a means of a communication channel, it is possible to transmit information through the blood vessel 10 and detect a state of the corresponding blood vessel 10, a blood state, a change in blood flow, a change in blood flow velocity, etc. by analyzing the radio properties of a

received acoustic wave signal.

[30] Meanwhile, the blood vessel 10 used as the passage of an acoustic wave signal may be a vein 510 as shown in FIG. 4 to be described later or an artery 520 as shown in FIG. 5 to be described later.

[31] Moreover, the acoustic wave signal may be transmitted in one way as shown in FIGs.

4 and 5 to be described later, or in two ways as shown in FIG. 6.

[32] FIG. 2 is a block diagram briefly illustrating an apparatus for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[33] Referring to the drawing, the communication apparatus 200 using a blood vessel according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 comprises an acoustic wave receiving unit 210 and an acoustic wave signal analyzing unit 220. The communication apparatus 200 using a blood vessel of FIG. 2 can be used as a receiver using a blood vessel

[34] The acoustic wave receiving unit 210 receives an acoustic wave signal transmitted through a blood vessel 20. This acoustic wave signal is an acoustic wave signal generated by the acoustic wave generating unit 120 of FIG. 1, to which the intravascular characteristics of the blood vessel 20 are added. The frequency, phase, pulse width, or amplitude of the received acoustic wave signal may be varied according to the intravascular characteristics of the blood vessel 20.

[35] The acoustic wave signal analyzing unit 220 converts the acoustic wave signal received by the acoustic wave receiving unit 210 into a corresponding data and outputs the data. The received acoustic wave signal is an analog signal having a predetermined frequency, and is outputted by being converted into data corresponding to the acoustic wave signal.

[36] Further, the acoustic wave signal analyzing unit 220 can detect a blood vessel state on the basis of this data. Since the frequency, phase, pulse width, or amplitude of the acoustic wave signal received through the blood vessel may be varied, the characteristics of the blood vessel can be analogized by comparison between converted data and reference data. That is to say, a blood vessel state, a blood state, a change in blood flow, a change in blood flow velocity, etc. can be detected. This reference data can be stored in a separate storage unit (not shown).

[37] Meanwhile, the blood vessel used as a passage of an acoustic wave signal may be a vein 510 as shown in FIG. 4, or an artery 520 as shown in FIG. 5.

[38] Moreover, the acoustic wave signal may be transmitted in one way as shown in FIGs.

4 and 5 to be described later, or in two ways as shown in FIG. 6.

[39] The communication apparatus 200 using a blood vessel of FIG. 2, especially, the

receiver using a blood vessel, is preferably included in a band-shaped object that can be worn on the wrist.

[40] FIG. 3 is a block diagram briefly illustrating an apparatus for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[41] Referring to the drawing, the communication apparatus 300 using a blood vessel according to the embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises all the components of the communication apparatus 200 using a blood vessel of FIG. 2. That is to say, the communication apparatus 300 using a blood vessel of FIG. 3 comprises an acoustic wave signal control unit 310, an acoustic wave generating unit 320, an acoustic wave receiving unit 330, and an acoustic wave signal analyzing unit 340. A description thereof is omitted.

[42] The communication apparatus 300 and 400 using a blood vessel of FIG. 3 serves as both a transmitter using a blood vessel and a receiver using a blood vessel, and hence the separation of an acoustic wave signal is required.

[43] For this, the communication apparatus 300 and 400 using a blood vessel of FIG. 3 may further comprise a circulator 350 and 450 for transmitting an acoustic wave signal from the acoustic wave generating unit 310 and 410 to the blood vessel 30 and transmitting an acoustic wave signal from the blood vessel 30 to the acoustic wave receiving unit 330 and 430 so as to enable two-way communication. The operation of the circulator 350 and 450 can be discriminated on the basis of a change in frequency, phase, pulse width, or amplitude between the acoustic wave signal form the acoustic wave generating unit 310 and 410 and the acoustic wave signal from the blood vessel 30.

[44] In the drawing, it is illustrated that the communication apparatus 300 and 400 using a blood vessel is arranged at both ends of the blood vessel 30 so as to enable two-way communication using a blood vessel. By this arrangement, communication using a blood vessel is enabled.

[45] FIG. 4 shows an example of a one-way communication apparatus using a blood vessel using a vein. FIG. 5 shows an example of a one-way communication apparatus using a blood vessel using an artery. FIG. 6 shows an example of a two-way communication apparatus using a blood vessel.

[46] Referring to the drawings, first, in FIG. 4, the communication apparatus 100 using a blood vessel of FIG. 1 or the communication apparatus 200 using a blood vessel of FIG. 2 uses a vein 510 of the blood vessel as a means of a communication channel.

[47] Through the vein 510, it is possible to transmit information and detect a state of the

corresponding blood vessel, a blood state, a change in blood flow, a change in blood flow velocity, etc. by analyzing the radio properties of a received acoustic wave signal.

[48] FIG. 4 shows a method for one-way communication using a blood vessel, in which when a first communication apparatus using a blood vessel sends an acoustic wave signal at a first vein position, a second communication apparatus using a blood vessel receives this acoustic wave signal and analyzes the characteristics of the acoustic wave signal.

[49] Next, the pattern of FIG. 5 is almost similar to FIG. 4 except for one-way communication is performed by using an artery 520 of the blood vessel.

[50] Next, FIG. 6 is for explaining a method for two-way communication using a blood vessel, which corresponds to the communication apparatus 300 and 400 using a blood vessel of FIG. 3. The separation of an acoustic wave signal is required.

[51] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a method for communication using a blood vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[52] Referring to the drawing, first, input data is converted into a corresponding acoustic wave signal (S710). The step of conversion into an acoustic wave signal can be carried out by the acoustic wave signal control unit 110 and acoustic wave generating unit 120 of FIG. 1 or the like.

[53] Next, the acoustic wave signal is transmitted through a blood vessel (S720). The generated acoustic wave signal can be transmitted to the blood vessel through the acoustic wave generating unit 200 of FIG. 1. Here, the blood vessel may be at least either a vein or an artery.

[54] Next, the acoustic wave signal received through the blood vessel is converted into a corresponding data and outputted (S730). The acoustic wave receiving unit 210 of FIG. 2 receives an acoustic wave, and the acoustic wave signal analyzing unit 220 converts the received acoustic wave signal into a corresponding data and outputs the data.

[55] Although not shown, the method may further comprise the step of detecting at least one of a blood state, a change in blood flow, and a change in blood flow velocity on the basis of the converted acoustic wave signal. As explained in FIGs. 2 and 3, the received acoustic wave signal may be different from the transmitted acoustic wave signal in at least one of the frequency, phase, pulse width and amplitude, and this enables it to detect a blood vessel state or the like. This operation can be carried out by the acoustic wave signal analyzing unit 220 of FIG. 2.

[56] According to the present invention, information can be transmitted through a blood

vessel by transmitting an acoustic wave signal through a specific blood vessel. Further, a blood state, a change in blood flow, and a change in blood flow velocity for a specific blood vessel can be detected by analyzing the propagation properties of transmitted and received acoustic wave signals.

[57] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in some other concrete forms without departing from the technical spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Further, the scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

[58]

[59]

Industrial Applicability

[60] The present invention is applied to a communication apparatus using a blood vessel, so that it is possible to transmit information through a blood vessel or the like and detect a blood vessel state, a blood state, a change in blood flow, a change in blood flow velocity, etc.

[61]

[62]