Synthetic molecular communication through microfluidic oscillating droplets for intrabody physiological data transmission

Abstract

We explore the capabilities of a microfluidic-based synthetic molecular communication (SMC) system for the transmission of physiological data within the human body. The system employs oscillating water droplets as a means of transmitting information through pressure variations. The validity of this approach for binary communications is validated through a combination of simulations and experiments. A case study focused on monitoring gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been considered. The prototype platform demonstrated the capacity to transmit both synthetic raw esophageal pH values and severity classifications (e.g. acid reflux) through oscillating droplets. This finding underscores the promise of SMC for real-time physiological monitoring, paving the way for enhanced disease diagnosis and personalized treatment in medicine. Despite the need for miniaturization to facilitate in vivo use, this research establishes a robust foundation for the development of microfluidic SMC devices for medical diagnostics and physiological monitoring.