A Wireless Magnetoresistive Sensing System for an Intraoral Tongue-Computer Interface

IEEE Trans Biomed Circuits Syst, 2012 · DOI: 10.1109/TBCAS.2012.2227962 · Published: December 1, 2012

Assistive Technology Biomedical Telehealth & Digital Health

Simple Explanation

The Tongue Drive System (TDS) is a hands-free technology that allows users to control devices with their tongue movements. The new version, called iTDS, is designed to fit inside the mouth like a dental retainer. The iTDS uses magnetic sensors to detect tongue movements and translates them into commands for smartphones, computers, or powered wheelchairs.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Two healthy subjects

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The iTDS system-on-a-chip (SoC) features a configurable analog front-end (AFE) that reads the magnetic field variations inside the mouth from four 3-axial magnetoresistive sensors.
2
A dual-band transmitter (Tx) on the same chip operates at 27 and 432 MHz in the Industrial/Scientific/Medical (ISM) band to allow users to switch in the presence of external interference.
3
The iTDS SoC has been implemented in a 0.5-μm standard CMOS process and consumes 3.7 mW on average.

Research Summary

The intraoral Tongue Drive System (iTDS) is a tongue-operated, minimally invasive, unobtrusive, and wireless assistive technology that infers users’ intentions by detecting their voluntary tongue motion and translating them into user-defined commands. The iTDS system-on-a-chip (SoC) features a configurable analog front-end (AFE) that reads the magnetic field variations inside the mouth from four 3-axial magnetoresistive sensors located at four corners of the iTDS printed circuit board (PCB). The Tx streams the digitized samples to a custom-designed TDS universal interface, built from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, which delivers the iTDS data to other devices such as smartphones, personal computers (PC), and powered wheelchairs (PWC).

Practical Implications

Improved Assistive Technology

The iTDS offers a more discreet and reliable assistive technology option for individuals with severe disabilities, enhancing their independence and quality of life.

Enhanced User Experience

By being hidden inside the mouth and firmly clasped onto the teeth, iTDS overcomes the mechanical stability issues and improves the TDS acceptability.

Potential for Wider Applications

The iTDS technology can be further developed and applied in other areas, such as virtual reality, gaming, and hands-free control of various devices.

Study Limitations

1
The size of the current iTDS prototype is bulkier than a regular dental retainer, which can limit the range of tongue movements and may not be comfortable for long term use.
2
The position of the current iTDS on the roof of the mouth blocks tactile feedback that the users would otherwise receive from their palates, which can result in better positioning of the tongue tip.
3
There is room for considerable improvements in the iTDS wireless connectivity using body area network (BAN) and intra-body communication techniques.

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