tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55065254517216088092024-02-19T09:12:22.231-06:00Feeling WavesThe story of a magnetic implant.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-25464297370759492632018-02-26T16:11:00.002-06:002018-02-26T16:11:39.209-06:00Implants removed. The end!The removal was done by a plastic surgeon specializing in hands and fingers, and was done flawlessly. I was surprised to find myself completely prepped for surgery and wheeled in to the OR, complete with several OR nurses and helpers. He administered a local anesthetic (which took all night to wear off - powerful stuff!) and made quick work of the magnet removals.<br />
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I was able to take one of them home. As I suspected the coating had been compromised and was definitely breaking apart and being broken down in my finger! I used a macro lens for my phone and got a closer shot. Keep in mind this disc is only 3mm in diameter.<br />
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Still, it's a very good thing I got them removed before they broke apart or infection occurred. The doctor and nurses kept asking "are you going to get more put in?"</div>
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The answer is "no."</div>
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The fingers are healing fine now, and I'll miss my 6th sense, but the stir disc just wasn't viable in the long term. I do want to experiment with gaining this sense again, through non-invasive means - whether by embedding a magnet in a fake glue-on fingernail or by building a glove or ring to do it. But for now, I'll carry on as a normal, un-enhanced human.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-83810186650545891302018-02-20T10:20:00.001-06:002018-02-20T10:20:14.271-06:0010 Years Later - Time to get them removedIt's been almost 10 years since my original implant. The magnets have been mostly trouble free and have given me a 6th sense. I have really enjoyed having them, and frequently used them to enhance my experience as an electrical engineer.<div>
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However, I have decided to have the implants removed. Finding a doctor to remove the implants has proven to be more difficult than I expected. Hand specialists, general practitioners, and dermatologists have all told me to look elsewhere. I finally found a hand specialist/plastic surgeon to do the work, and am scheduled for the procedure very soon.</div>
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I'm wanting this for several reasons:</div>
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<b>After 10 years, the magnets have weakened</b>.</div>
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The one in my right finger barely responds anymore, and the one in the left has also grown weak. Without any sensory feedback they're just lumps in my fingers.</div>
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<b>They still get injured and irritated</b>.</div>
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Twisting a screwdriver incorrectly, or losing grip on a heavy object that slides off your fingers is a sure recipe for irritating the implant. It will stay sensitive and swollen for a few days, or even weeks after. I'm looking forward to having full use of my grip. From the day they were implanted I've had to learn to lighten the stress on my ring fingers in every day tasks.</div>
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<b>I want to remove them before they break apart</b></div>
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My most recent incident with my right hand made me think I had finally ruptured the thin coating on the magnet. Fortunately, in my consultation with the surgeon it appears both are intact.</div>
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<b>I want access to an MRI if needed</b></div>
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I'm lucky to have never needed an MRI, but it is something that's always bothered me - that my implants could prevent me from getting a time-critical scan or dissuade doctors from using that tool when they need it.</div>
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I'll post once more after the procedure. Hopefully they'll let me take pictures of the magnets!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-35176324923358910182012-10-02T16:34:00.001-05:002018-02-20T10:20:53.255-06:00Semi-annual post! Q&AHello once again! While it's been quite a while since I updated, not a lot has changed, which is a good thing. I still get a lot of e-mails, and a lot of the questions seem to be recurring. So, it's time for another Q & A session!<br />
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<b>Will you send me magnets? If not can you tell me where to get them?</b></div>
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No, sorry, I don't send out magnets anymore. I used stir discs from VP scientific, but I believe there are a number of options nowadays. I don't know of any off the top of my head, so put your Google skills to use.</div>
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<b>Can you recommend a place to get a magnet implanted?</b></div>
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There are the usual suspects in the body mod world, but other than that I really don't know a good shop in your city or any particular way to tell the qualifications of the shops in your area. There are many good resources online for piercing / body modification / implants and how to go about finding someone qualified to do the procedure, so I would recommend starting there.</div>
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<b>Do the implants affect your day-to-day life? Do they prevent you from doing ordinary tasks?</b></div>
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They really don't affect my daily life. I still play guitar regularly, work on the car, weld, type, and so on. Though I have found I do need to take special care when metal working, as the steel splinters produced by cutting and grinding will find their way to the tip of my finger. While a metal splinter is no big deal to most fingers, I worry that the magnet will draw a shaving through the skin and compromise the coating. </div>
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<b>Have your implants lost sensitivity?</b></div>
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Nope, in fact, both implants seem to be increasingly sensitive.</div>
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<b>How does the newer implant compare to the older one?</b></div>
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The newer implant is definitely not as sensitive as the older one. I think that this is for several reasons. The newer implant was professionally implanted by Brian Decker between skin layers, and it's almost as if it's too far from the nerves. It's also on my non-dominant hand on the opposite side of the finger, so it's likely I pay less attention to it since I've been using my right hand to explore fields for a lot longer. The older implant also is not as deep, so it's likely that the vibrations are more readily picked up.</div>
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<b>Will you PLEASE send me a magnet? You MUST have spares!</b></div>
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No. Please stop asking me! I'm happy to talk about the implant and answer questions, but I won't even respond with a "no" if you e-mail me asking for one.</div>
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That's all for now! I'll try and update soon with some recent experiences, particularly metal working, as well as some awesome fields that I've found.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-82618006583394865032011-12-01T21:52:00.001-06:002018-02-20T10:21:13.341-06:00Learning to use a new implantIt's been 5 months since my second implant.<br />
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For a long time it's been completely healed physically. It took much less time to heal than the last, and has been completely unobtrusive except for long finger stretches while playing guitar, and even then it's easy to adjust to a comfortable position.</div>
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The new implant is still significantly less sensitive than the older implant in my right hand, but is slowly growing more sensitive. I'm using my old implant to train the new. I'll feel a significant field with my right implant, then put the left in the same place. It's still consistently less responsive than the old one, but becoming more responsive as time goes by. At this point, the contrast is enormous. For example, I can feel industrial battery chargers from a foot or two away with my right hand. I put my left hand in the same place and feel only a very dim sensation.</div>
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I've also noticed that the orientation of the magnets makes a tremendous difference. I'll find a very active field (a microwave oven for example) with my right hand and then put my new left-handed implant in the same place. I'm surprised to feel nothing! After rotating around a bit and playing with distance, I can find a similar intensity, but in a completely different finger orientation, in a different location.</div>
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Regardless, it's still an incredible ability. I've experienced no negative side effects or limitations, aside from worrying about an MRI, and still think this is one of the most incredible and noteworthy things I've done in my lifetime.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-4051331276374237192011-07-28T18:23:00.007-05:002018-02-20T10:23:56.867-06:00Another implant!<br />
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I had been talking with a fellow about magnets for quite some time, when I found out he was planning a visit to Chicago to get a silicone implant from a renowned body mod purveyor. I joined in the fun and got a second implant.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Placement</span>I decided to have the magnet placed into my left hand ring finger tip, on the side facing away from the thumb. After playing guitar for a while, I noticed that this area never came in to contact with the strings or fretboard, and wasn't likely to interfere with playing. The placement is a mirror image of where my original rejected implant was located. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Procedure</span><br />
The method involved making a small incision with a scalpel, then inserting a tool to dig a pocket between the layers of skin. Once the pocket was made, he pushed the magnet in to place, then put two sutures through the incision. The pocketing procedure definitely felt more invasive than the approach that was taken with my other implant, but when all was said and done, the magnet was *exactly* where I had marked on my finger, the exterior wound was a tiny slit, and there was a very little swelling and soreness. I'm confident that this is the ideal way to implant a magnet for sensory purposes.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Healing</span><br />
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After the procedure, my finger was throbby, tingly, and a bit swollen. This quickly subsided. The second day, my finger was sore to the touch. I noticed that my fingertip felt cold and numb, even areas that had not been touched during the procedure. This subsided that evening. On day three, the area around the stitches became sore and red. Since the magnet was deep in the pocket and not being held in by the stitches, I thought it best to remove them. Previous experience taught me that after a few days, the stitches can become counterproductive. In hindsight, I should have probably left them in for a few extra days, but it continued to heal nicely after they came out.<br />
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After 10 days, most of the feeling has returned to my fingertip. The area that was pocketed near my fingernail still feels a bit weird, but it's quickly returning to normal. I have near complete functionality of the finger already (unlike before, when I was terrified to reach into my pocket and get my keys due to the tenderness.) I can type with no problems, and have almost zero pain. It still hurts if I squeeze it or bang it on something, but not too bad.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Feeling</span><br />
On the second day, I used my old implant to locate a weak field, then tried the same region with the new implant. I couldn't feel anything. The third day I felt faint weirdness when trying the same. On the fourth day, I could vividly feel the sensation, with more intensity than my original implant! I'll save the analysis of intensity for a later time, as I won't know for sure until it's completely healed.<br />
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I do already notice some distinct differences between the two. Finding a field with my right hand, I discovered that to locate it with my new implant in my left, that it's in a different physical location. I believe that this has much do to with the orientation of the magnet. With my right, the magnet is sideways through skin layers. With my left, the magnet is flat with relation to the surface of the skin. With my palms flat on a table, the magnets are rotated nearly 90 degrees from each other.<br />
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I think that this may lead to a new sensory setup, with two or three magnets in different orientations. Once I'm better able to perceive what the new implant is telling me, I'll be able to interpret the differences in sensations between the two from an identical source. Exciting stuff.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Waiting</span>Now, I wait. It will take some time for me to fully heal and adjust to the new magnet. It's definitely healing better than the original, and the pocket seems to have placed the magnet in a great orientation for sensory perception. Stay tuned for experiences with the new implant!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-37668278963731647472011-04-18T14:28:00.004-05:002011-04-18T15:23:58.333-05:00Three years later, still trouble free (and awesome.)It has been close to three years since having a magnetic disc installed in the tip of my right ring finger. It still appears to be perfectly intact, and has given me no trouble at all so far. It has become seamlessly incorporated it into my sensory perception, much like taste or smell. I don't think about using it anymore, I just use it. <br /><br />Recently at a self-checkout kiosk I scanned an item, and felt a short burst of electromagnetic pulses. The kiosk was destroying the hidden anti-theft tag on the item. There was no audible or visual indication that this had happened, but I had <span style="font-style: italic;">felt</span> it happen. It wasn't just a sensation of vibration. I felt the event in vivid detail, like hearing a silent sound.<br /><br />I truly hope that a commercially viable magnetic sensory implant is produced. When I hear about "grinders" coating magnets in hot-glue for implantation I cringe. While the parylene coated stir disc has served me well, I can only dream of a home implantation kit consisting of a syringe loaded with a purpose-made, biocompatible implant. Until then you'll just have to take my word for it: <span style="font-weight: bold;">having a magnetic 6th sense is awesome.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-70355199930194359982010-02-16T07:32:00.005-06:002018-02-20T10:25:34.903-06:00Frequently Asked QuestionsI get quite a few e-mails from people interested in getting an implant (especially when BME runs a picture or article about magnetic implants!) I'm always happy to reply, but here are a few commonly asked questions and answers.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">"Where can I get one (and how much do they cost?)"</span><br />
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My implant is a parylene coated rare earth magnetic stir element, intended for laboratory use. The company that makes them is VP Scientific. The model that I use and recommend is the VP <a href="http://www.vp-scientific.com/nov09_Alnico_%26_Rare_Earth_Stir_Bars.php#Spec_VP782N">782N-3</a> VP scientific caters to larger labs, and does not have an online store front. The 782N-3 comes in packages of 100, and you'll have to make a minimum order of $50 (plus $15 handling and shipping costs.)<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">"Where should I go to have it implanted (and how much does it cost?)"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span>Aside from breast augmentation implants, most (if not all) doctors won't<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>implant anything that's not a medical device. Unfortunately, this means that it must be done by someone who is NOT a doctor, and as such will not have access to anesthetic. Body artists (i.e. piercers) are generally the only people who are both willing and capable of installing the implants.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Be sure to find an artist who is familiar with implants and methods, not just some guy who pierces noses and ears for a living.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Alternatively you can do it yourself, especially if you find a way to syringe inject it like an RFID implant. If you do happen to convince a medical professional to do the procedure or find an easy way to self-implant, I would LOVE to hear about it!<br />
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Pricing will vary widely based on the person you pay to install it. Some studios may be willing to do it for cheap or for the cost of supplies, while others may insist on a hefty fee. I can't imagine what a medical practitioner would charge.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">"Do you ever get painful or unpleasant feelings from the implant?"</span><br />
Yes, and they usually fall in to one of two categories. The first is pinching and crushing causing the implant to be sore. Grabbing something firmly just the wrong way or impacting it just wrong will cause it to feel weird for a few days while the tissue around it heals. The second is damage due to strong magnets. A strong magnetic field will pull and torque the implant; the resulting motion causes damage to the surrounding tissue which takes a few days to completely heal. Magnetic fields get exponentially stronger as you approach them, so you have a good idea of when you are starting to do something uncomfortable as you draw near them. <br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />"How strong is it?"</span><br /><br />In terms of magnetic attraction, the implant is quite weak. It's enough to suspend a small paper clip or drag a bottle cap across the table. It's definitely nothing close to the pictures you see on BME of people suspending zippo lighters or other large pieces of metal.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>I believe that this is important - if the magnet can pull itself strongly to metal objects, it has a much higher chance of rejecting or accidentally scarring the tissue.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />I'll continue to update this post, but I think that covers the most common questions. If you have any further questions or ideas, please don't hesitate to drop me a line.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-66620189364671186682009-12-29T09:12:00.002-06:002009-12-29T09:46:30.776-06:00Still going strongAs the year comes to a close, I wanted to give a short update. I still have the implant, and it's doing just fine. I continue to use my extra sense as if I'd had it all along. It's incorporated itself into the way I explore objects, gives me information about electronic devices, and continues to surprise me in its utility. Some recent examples come to mind:<br /><br />-Debunking a "therapeutic magnetic bracelet," which as it turns out, had no magnets at all.<br />-Troubleshooting AC/DC adapters and devices. Since the transformers inside them give off a nice gritty field when plugged in, which increases under load, I'm able to feel that both the AC adapter is working and the device is consuming current when charging or turned on. This is handy when you think your Roomba's battery might not be actually charging, even though it appears to be.<br />-Fuel injectors and spark plug signal wires under the hood. Tinkering with the car, I found that I could feel, very clearly, the ingition spark and the fuel injectors actuating. While I can't see it being particularly useful, it's a cool otherwise-intangible connection with the car.<br /><br />I'm quite happy with my implant, and still wish to see them hit the "mainstream." Quite a few people have asked me if I still plan to sell implantable magnets, as I'd indicated in a post a while back. The answer is no, I don't plan to sell them. There's too much risk for litigation in our lawsuit-happy society. Occasionally I get an e-mail from a curious sense-seeker, and I'm happy to assist them in locating the implantable magnets. A few have even gone forward with the procedure, with positive results. I don't update this blog often, because there's really nothing to continually update. I'm always happy to respond to questions via e-mail though, so feel free to contact me.<br /><br />Here's to another year of magnetic sense!<br />:)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-24856768244272297242009-04-07T15:27:00.002-05:002009-04-07T16:12:07.905-05:00Over one year, no problems.Well, it's been well over a year since I received my magnetic implant. I figured it would be a good time to give a retrospective view of what it has been like. There are a few topics that stand out, so I broke them up:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dreams:</span><br />Since the first week of having the implant, I have periodically had dreams of the magnet falling out. I'll be picking at it in a dream, and it will squeeze out like a splinter, or it will just fall out. It may be a subconscious awareness of the implant slowly healing out of my body, or it may just be random dreams. In any case, after it happens in the dream I feel a sense of loss, giving me a glimpse of how I would feel if the implant did indeed heal out or warranted removal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Injuries</span>:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Just like any other part of the body, the tissue in the finger is subject to bruising and irritation. While it's not a constant problem or a hindrance to daily activity, I'll occasionally tweak it "just right" to cause pain and throbbing. Smacking my hand down on a concrete floor, for example, bruised the area. Rolling an object across it, like you would do losing grip on a metal bar, pushes the implant in just the wrong way to really squeeze it uncomfortably. In all these cases the finger was a bit sensitive, and the sense provided by the implant was dulled or numb for a bit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">EM Sensations:</span><br />The sensations, of course, have been the best part of the implant. Many things in our daily environment cause many varied and sometimes predictable feelings. I now know the buzz of a fluorescent light ballast without thinking about it. I still find joy in exploring the intangible parts of an object, sweeping my hand near a generator to feel the field or probing store displays for hidden permanent magnets. It's become another tool I use to indulge my curiosity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Big Magnets:</span><br />I have developed a strong aversion to permanent magnets. I consciously keep my implant finger away from them, balling my hand into a fist to protect it when one becomes too close. Large magnets produce strong sensations, but often leave the implant numb for awhile. It's a bit like staring into a bright light and having to wait for the spot to disappear to see again. It's very easy to injure tissue around the implant by exposing the magnet to another strong magnet. I'd say <span style="font-weight: bold;">during healing, and well after, permanent magnets should be carefully avoided</span>. I've seen pictures of others with implants suspending a strong sphere magnet, and it makes me cringe to imagine the sensation. Perhaps this sensitivity is unique to the type of implant I used. A very strong magnet, such as a "super magnet" from united nuclear or an MRI, could very VERY easily rip the magnet from the finger, or even worse, drag it deep inside the body doing untold damage. Big magnets are <span style="font-weight: bold;">BAD.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Party Tricks:</span><br />While it seems demeaning to reduce it to a party trick, many people simply cannot believe or grasp that you have a magnetic implant. They DEMAND proof. Since my implant is so small, it does not easily affect metal objects. It's just strong enough to drag a beer bottle cap across a smooth surface, but not pick it up. I did this to the amazement of a 'street magician' performing in a local hangout, who then asked me how I did it. I told him "magic!" Another interesting trick is to balance a piece of silverware so it rotates freely and coax it to spin without touching it. Really it's just a neat trick, and I'd never be motivated to get an implant for just this reason. <br /><br />All in all, I'd love to see this enter the mainstream. It's an incredible extension of human perception, and is extremely easy to achieve. We have implantable RFID chips, heart monitoring devices, and many other medical tools, so hopefully it's just a matter of time before this will be available to many more people. I'll continue to post new experiences and insight here, and hopefully keep the interest alive for those who still need convincing that this is an awesome and highly functional body modification.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-57042160765858030532009-01-20T07:24:00.006-06:002009-01-20T07:52:55.395-06:00Experience the sensation - without an implant!Over the weekend, a close friend asked if a magnet could be glued to a finger and yield the same results as an implant. I had quite a few 'reject' coated magnets from shipping damage, so we proceeded to glue them to our fingers with small dabs of superglue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKQFm_0-Ykk9E6m7g1ZDH7W0-qeG27fa3s8x5GHdFQBlq0WPgJBzM0vOJiEgdbnSoK-UtqITG9-9LlHtQaGtEzGM8lDIlWElTPdwuocoGLiw9soje9i7888a7kBAAAHrni9TaM0Via_v0/s1600-h/SL740058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKQFm_0-Ykk9E6m7g1ZDH7W0-qeG27fa3s8x5GHdFQBlq0WPgJBzM0vOJiEgdbnSoK-UtqITG9-9LlHtQaGtEzGM8lDIlWElTPdwuocoGLiw9soje9i7888a7kBAAAHrni9TaM0Via_v0/s320/SL740058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293366817403147202" border="0" /></a><br />The result? It works! I placed one on my left ring finger, for comparison to my implant in my right hand in the same location. My friend used his index finger, and we both noticed sensations immediately.<br /><br />My friend proceeded to run around the house looking for sources of stimulation. He cheerfully reported that he could feel fluorescent light ballasts, motors, transformers, and most everything else I could think to suggest. "It's like I'm getting a small shock!" he said, probing the field around a particularly torquey motor. "Great, now I'm going to have to get one of these implanted!"<br /><br />In comparison to an implanted magnet, not surprisingly, the sensations are less pronounced, especially the pulling and pushing of permanent magnets. Oscillating fields are very noticeable, but feel "muffled." Overall the sensations are remarkably similar to that felt from an implant, so the experiment was a success.<br /><br />The glued-on magnets fell off within an hour or two, so unless a more aggressive adhesive is used (which I wouldn't recommend for skin) long term attachment of an external magnet isn't too feasible. I'll be trying more experiments as well; my friend suggested attachment to the fingernail, which could produce some interesting results.<br /><br />So if you would like a taste of the sensations a magnetic implant has to offer, grab a bit of superglue, <a href="http://www.unitednuclear.com/magnets.htm">some tiny (but strong) magnets</a>, and try it out!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-73788263140520854642009-01-19T09:32:00.002-06:002009-01-19T09:53:03.728-06:00A trip to the ER - no MRIs with a magnet in your fingerA common question I get asked is "What if you have to get an MRI?" I almost found out the hard way. Following a heavy New Year's Eve celebration, I had abdominal pain. Not out of the ordinary, but in the two days following it worsened and I felt it was time to see a doctor. I went to an emergency clinic, where after a quick examination I was told "You need to go to the ER and get an MRI."<br /><br />I immediately thought of my implant and asked the doctor if she would be able to remove a foreign body (i.e. the implant) if need be. She believed that it could be shielded, but I would have to ask the imaging technicians at the ER.<br /><br />Several hours later I found myself getting a CAT scan of my abdomen, which was completely unaffected by the implant. The ER doctors said that an MRI would only be necessary if more detailed imaging were needed. They also said, however, that there was no way to shield the magnet in my finger from the scan, and that it's presence would make an MRI impossible. (The door to the MRI area even plainly stated "NO METALLIC IMPLANTS.")<br /><br />Eventually I was cleared, given an industrial strength laxative and a clean bill of health, but the experience opened my eyes to some serious situations. What if I had needed an MRI? Would they have been able to quickly remove the implant? What if it had been a time-critical emergency, and I were unconscious? Could having an implant ultimately endanger my life by preventing doctors from acting quickly? What would happen if I were exposed to the machine without removing the implant - would it be torn from my finger or forcefully dragged through tissue?<br /><br />There are definitely some serious issues that come with a magnetic implant. Don't forget others are in the same boat though, whether through joint replacement surgery or metallic shrapnel, or even an artificial heart. So if you are seriously considering getting a magnetic implant, be sure to weigh and prepare for the possible consequences.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-75065654970381512302008-11-24T08:42:00.006-06:002008-11-25T08:50:11.079-06:00G1: my Google phone tells me when it's transmittingI was an early adopter of the G1, and since the day I began using it I noticed a dim pulsing sensation through my implant while holding the phone a certain way. This morning I finally got the location down, and was able to produce the phenomena repeatably by sending messages, web browsing and panning around on Google maps.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl-qXJ2S9MCjNI3JoRGiEAzg89lyRbzN6u0q6HwARbPwLN_Xq8d_7f8RSysqtsZ1-S8X9nab9sHRL0TdZdcFwo-435tGXZttOEX6FHNatPMKLMUy1TaH43C4tQhKKZay_9Rw-d1qu8bar/s1600-h/g1feeling.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl-qXJ2S9MCjNI3JoRGiEAzg89lyRbzN6u0q6HwARbPwLN_Xq8d_7f8RSysqtsZ1-S8X9nab9sHRL0TdZdcFwo-435tGXZttOEX6FHNatPMKLMUy1TaH43C4tQhKKZay_9Rw-d1qu8bar/s320/g1feeling.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272601789228455938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The little yellow dot shows the approximate location of my implant, and the red circle shows where the sensations are strongest.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">To be honest, I have no idea what is causing a pulsing magnetic field during data transmission. The antenna is in close proximity, but the sensations directly over it are much less pronounced than other areas. Also, transmitting antennas produce electromagnetic waves (which don't wiggle magnets) - not magnetic fields. Perhaps the EM is inducing a magnetic field in the nearby speaker (directly above the red region in the picture.) Regardless, it's kind of cool to feel the 'packets' or 'data bursts' or whatever and seeing how the little send/receive display syncs up with what's actually going on.<br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-22171102949133609202008-10-07T15:01:00.003-05:002018-02-20T10:28:03.348-06:00Welding<br />
While working on a frame for the arcade machine, I noticed that I could not only feel the transformer inside the main unit from quite a distance, but also felt through the MIG gun itself. Depending on how well I was laying the bead, the sensation intensified and changed. This is the first good example I have come across for an implant giving an occupational advantage: a welder could use their magnetic sense to give them information about the quality of their weld. With practice, I'm certain I could use the sense to help adjust the heat and wire feed speed to an ideal setting and tell if the bead was laying smoothly.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-17658394590651309672008-09-24T17:25:00.003-05:002018-02-20T10:28:21.206-06:00The sensations become a senseIn the past few months I have made a sort of transition. At first, the sensations I felt were foreign and new. I would feel a buzz from a dc adapter and think "woah! It buzzes!" As of late, though, I have found that I increasingly recognize specific sensations, and can feel subtle variations. This transition has been like the difference between feeling a surface with latex gloves, then with bare skin: I can feel the <span style="font-style: italic;">texture</span> of a field. The field from the power supply inside my alarm clock feels smooth and clean. The DC adapter for my electric razor feels gritty. I found a long lost hard drive magnet under the couch without ever seeing or touching it... I sensed it, even knew which pole was facing my finger! <br />
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While technically this ability is an extension of touch, the human perception makes it more than that. A magnetic implant gives the human body the ability to detect and quantify what would otherwise be intangible. Truly, it is a sixth sense.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-69871394775392516402008-09-03T17:52:00.006-05:002018-02-20T10:28:55.638-06:00Finger is better, way to go Parylene coating!My smashed finger injury has gotten much, much better. The area doesn't feel quite back to normal, but has the familiar "almost healed" feeling to it. It appears the implant survived a pretty hard test, which is one more victory for Parylene coating.<br />
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I will say this, though I have said it before. This is a very experimental procedure in which you are implanting an object in to yourself that could potentially be harmful. These magnets are not designed originally for implantation. While you can take every precaution to handle and install them correctly, there is a definite possibility of a compromised coating, and you may be forced to remove fragments of magnet from your finger, or worse. These are risks that myself and the others that have tried have understood from the beginning.<br />
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That being said, I think that this is a body modification that has been on the verge of explosion for quite awhile. Purpose-made parylene coated magnets and implantation tools could make this procedure accessible to many, and just may encourage others to find ways to give humans more sensory perception through body modification.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-25082360158263152062008-08-20T08:35:00.005-05:002008-08-25T09:49:26.078-05:00Smashed fingerIt was bound to happen eventually. I'm generally a hands-on person, and as such often find myself working with power tools, in tight engine compartments, etc. I figured that eventually I would accidentally stress the implant while bending metal or opening a stuck valve... it finally happened unexpectedly while tapping a keg of beer.<br /><br />I have a small "keggerator" (a self contained beer chilling and dispensing device) that I am in the <a href="http://http//www.raclab.com/?q=node/5"></a><a href="http://www.raclab.com/?q=node/5">process of transforming into a MAME cabinet. </a>While connecting a newly purchased 5 gallon keg of Fat Tire I rotated the keg tap and quickly pushed it down - in order to prevent the pressurized spray of beverage that escapes if you do it too slowly. In what would be a "worst case" scenario, the tip of my right ring finger was pinched between the handle and the keg edge, rotating and crushing it.<br /><br />Immediately I knew that I had disturbed the implant. My finger throbbed as I prodded the area gently. A small circular area of red appeared near the magnet, like a pocket of blood beneath the surface. I knew that there was nothing I could do about the injury, so I waited. After a few days the implant seems like it has re-healed. It's a bit tender to the touch but full sensitivity has returned. Only time will tell if the Parylene coating was compromised, but at this point it seems just fine. I'm quite certain that had I opted for a silicone dipped implant, it would have met its demise.<br /><br />It's still too early for me to condone going out and implanting Parylene coated magnets into people's fingers, but if the implant survives incidents like this one I can see this becoming very viable, very soon.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-76491166601550041372008-07-22T14:28:00.002-05:002008-07-22T14:54:50.152-05:00Current carrying wireDuring a recent long and particularly boring meeting I was sitting next to a laptop computer which was plugged in to a wall outlet. I used my magnetic sense to explore power supply, which emitted a now familiar buzz from the small transformer inside it. I was quite surprised to also feel a sensation from the power cable as well, a faint vibration but definitely there.<br /><br />When current flows through a straight conductor, there is a magnetic field encircling it. In the case of a DC current the field is stable and the direction can be determined using the right hand rule. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kenolab.com/images/Magnetic%20Transmitter/Reduced%20size/current%20carrying%20conductor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://kenolab.com/images/Magnetic%20Transmitter/Reduced%20size/current%20carrying%20conductor.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">An illustration of a DC current carrying wire's magnetic field.</span><br /><br /><br /></div>AC current, however, produces an oscillating field which can be picked up with the implant. Having explored several power cords, it appears that low current devices (like light bulbs) don't draw enough current to be detectable. Only higher current draw devices produce the faint buzzing sensation. Also, only the hot wire will yield a sensation, as the neutral wire normally carries no current. The cable type itself plays a large part in detectability too. Shielded cable (predictably) is far less likely to produce a detectable field, as is cable that is enclosed in metal conduit.<br /><br />Pretty cool, nonetheless.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-72386614908008285862008-07-08T15:06:00.003-05:002008-07-08T16:37:45.846-05:002 Months, all is well, sensation has further improvedTwo months have gone my since my implant and all is going well. I have had a few incidents where the implant suddenly hurt when gripping/grabbing an item, but the pain does not linger. Usually it's more of a pinching sensation than anything, which makes total sense given its placement and rigidity. I'm fairly careful with the finger in day to day life, but I don't really worry about the implant rupturing as I would if it were coated in silicone. <br /><br />The implant has continued to become more sensitive. In cases where I previously just felt faint tingles and buzzes, I now sense subtle variations in fields. The coils on my stove, my microwave, innocuous looking items fixed to building walls... they all have an interesting facet that was invisible to me before. Most of the time I seek them out, bringing my implant close to things that may have a detectable field. Other times I'm caught by surprise. While at a WalMart checkout lane, for example. The product I bought had a theft protection tag:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/anti-sec-tag3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/anti-sec-tag3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>When the device in the register disabled it (it makes a weird springy "bonnng" sound) I felt a sudden vibration from my implant. It honestly took me a few seconds to figure out what had happened as my hand was quite far away. Those things make quite a strong field, no wonder they tell you to keep credit cards off of them!<br /><br />Permanent magnets are quite interesting too. I have found myself saying "woah, that's a magnet in there" after feeling the sensation when I reach past or over a concealed magnet. Strong magnets produce an unmistakable tug on the implant, of course, though I find it's far easier to detect a pull than a push. Magnets are quite fun to play with, though I'm becoming increasingly aware of the fact that a <a href="http://www.unitednuclear.com/magnets.htm">very strong magnet</a> could pose quite a problem for me.<br /><br />A close friend of mine, who initially turned me on to the idea of magnet implants, has finally decided to get one himself. I hope his experience is every bit as awesome as mine has been.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-51668586848405027172008-06-09T15:02:00.005-05:002008-06-09T15:30:48.304-05:005 Weeks later, looking goodIt's now been over five weeks since the implant. Everything appears to be going well, as the magnet has not migrated any further. It seems that it did indeed stop where the stitch had originally been placed, indicating that future implantations should be stitched more deeply.<br /><br />I often find myself maneuvering my finger close to objects to take in any sensations that may be present, rotating my hand unnaturally. Ideally, I would like to use my entire hand hand rather than a single finger. Here's the location of my implant now:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTLluygbmNGNDIKpL0kWC_siG0-Wf_fLL3kz3SHEC_q6vSOzRqWCKO9WlRZhjGY-BmSfHMKV4N40SIKoi_nLj2Ue9y29RkZQw2F4jHhRDPRW45avGVb4vwTpQfxuLKz-gjGEz8Bbjgq3N/s1600-h/handbefore.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTLluygbmNGNDIKpL0kWC_siG0-Wf_fLL3kz3SHEC_q6vSOzRqWCKO9WlRZhjGY-BmSfHMKV4N40SIKoi_nLj2Ue9y29RkZQw2F4jHhRDPRW45avGVb4vwTpQfxuLKz-gjGEz8Bbjgq3N/s320/handbefore.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209976967585932418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The yellow dot shows the approximate location of my implant.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I think a quite favorable result could be achieved by using 12 total implants, like so:<br /><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbVseCTCFyWoSYGuPlMgX-_sAgiVL0uwKxcgs0QC5djNec2E3lTbDUZNTqrBuRm92YtlulC4q-VninZUElqpiH06Sln95UnQX1PMw3SOLrMtrdkxwIcxZRtBBib6gG5qIQmvUcylWQzD5/s1600-h/handafter.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbVseCTCFyWoSYGuPlMgX-_sAgiVL0uwKxcgs0QC5djNec2E3lTbDUZNTqrBuRm92YtlulC4q-VninZUElqpiH06Sln95UnQX1PMw3SOLrMtrdkxwIcxZRtBBib6gG5qIQmvUcylWQzD5/s320/handafter.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209977573888765010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Using multiple implants on each finger could give much more rich sensation.</span><br /></div><br />At this point, however, I don't think that this is a good idea. Since my first implant has healed at a depth more shallow than I originally intended, it can be felt by pressing on my finger. Certain activities, such as gripping objects or playing foosball (as I discovered), can easily stress and cause pain and injury to the area. While it's not a big deal for a single finger, as I instinctively favor my other fingers now, a full array of these could pose quite a problem during day to day activities. Also, there is the question of polarity and orientation. There are no markings on the magnets to show their orientation (through playing with a compass I determined mine is South side out.) For an effective array, I would think that the magnets should all be oriented in the same way, which could be quite difficult to ensure during the implantation process. Something to start thinking about, at very least.<br /><br />I'll continue to monitor the existing implant, and perhaps get two or three more in the near future, but a full hand project is still a ways off. On a related note, I'm receiving a set of significantly larger, more powerful, Parylene coated magnetic cylinders. I hope to implant one to see the effects of a more powerful magnet.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-6687678218491132522008-06-03T18:14:00.005-05:002008-06-04T13:17:57.512-05:00Rejected? Part two.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PDlK8QvSn1Wz7WY5mMwTYw4vLtQ9J4nGIU12ZcET-mgiZHQvc6CgEzWKOMZAL0oDlwSZ8NYUT76LYVaIBa0mttlvO7Rbc0ZfKd6z3NbZR5VX-WpwjdMubuDVAzAGvh18VEsLBuDcWYR7/s1600-h/ip1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PDlK8QvSn1Wz7WY5mMwTYw4vLtQ9J4nGIU12ZcET-mgiZHQvc6CgEzWKOMZAL0oDlwSZ8NYUT76LYVaIBa0mttlvO7Rbc0ZfKd6z3NbZR5VX-WpwjdMubuDVAzAGvh18VEsLBuDcWYR7/s320/ip1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208090779213263842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The skin has healed, and aside from a bit of redness looks completely normal.</span><br /></div><br />Having just passed the four week mark, it seems like things aren't going so well. The magnet has slowly moved closer and closer to the surface as the tissue inside heals it out. The same coating that makes the implant biocompatible also makes it quite slick to tissue, which is unable to "grab" it. The surface tissue is completely healed, but pressing gently reveals a spot beneath (it turns white, like when I push on my skin and let go.) In the right light, the dark color of the implant can be seen through the skin.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuh0Zd6upW1O7JL6jBPw8uz40nWR-9JbWlFH8diUEVFKVDPcOOjXhWb8teKlHeJswJFABhErbNgsx6CY3jMwz6ShZebJL188E2T174m1fAeTuGnFc-Tdy23gx_b-cXzfxc0VgHBq6obvF3/s1600-h/ip2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuh0Zd6upW1O7JL6jBPw8uz40nWR-9JbWlFH8diUEVFKVDPcOOjXhWb8teKlHeJswJFABhErbNgsx6CY3jMwz6ShZebJL188E2T174m1fAeTuGnFc-Tdy23gx_b-cXzfxc0VgHBq6obvF3/s320/ip2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208090783000819890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Gently pushing above the implant reveals that it is quite shallow. The darker area is assumed to be the magnet.<br /><br /></span></div>The magnet's ability to attract metallic objects has increased dramatically, which also indicates that the implant is getting closer to the surface. This is the critical point though, as the magnet has reached the depth at which the stitch had healed. If the migration stops here, it should be OK. If it continues to push out, however, I will have to remove it. A deeper stitch would be definitely recommended for a later try, as it would cause this critical point to be deeper in the skin as well.<br /><br />If the implant ends up stabilizing, the migration will be a blessing in disguise. As the magnet has surfaced, my ability to feel minute vibrations has sharpened considerably. For now I will continue letting it be. It is not at all painful or uncomfortable, and still appears to be far enough under the skin to not pose a problem.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-85515694070635862932008-05-27T17:19:00.003-05:002018-02-20T10:30:38.064-06:00Week 3: Microwave ovens, RFID readers and more!It's been three weeks since the magnet was implanted, and things seem to be going very well. I have experienced a notable increase in sensitivity, and have been searching for things to feel with my new sense. I find that with each passing day I can pick up weaker and more subtle fields, and I'm continually surprised by the increasing sensitivity of the implant. Here are some items that I found produce distinct sensations:<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Transformers and fluorescent light ballasts</span> - These were the first items I could sense, and produce an even more vivid sensation than before. Passing my finger nearby results in a distinct buzzing vibration. By grabbing at the invisible field I can visualize its shape, more intense in places, less in others.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodexperience.com/broken/i3/08/microwave.s.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.goodexperience.com/broken/i3/08/microwave.s.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;"></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Microwave ovens </span>- passing my hand near the running <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetron">magnetron</a> gives me a unique sensation, though it's not as intense (at least not right now) as I thought it would be. Perhaps my microwave is just very well shielded.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">RFID readers</span> - My coworkers must think that I'm crazy. I was pawing curiously at our <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rfid">RFID</a> badge readers and found a weak but interesting sensation. The field itself is more complex than that of a transformer and seems to change shape and intensity over time. It's a weaker field, so I have to concentrate to find it. ***EDIT: Later exploration revealed that I actually cannot feel these devices. It makes sense, too, given the nature of their operation.***<br />
<a href="http://sewelldirect.com/images/products/SW-5524/SW-5524_lg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://sewelldirect.com/images/products/SW-5524/SW-5524_lg.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;"></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brushless fans</span> - the tiny cooling fan of my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUS_Eee_PC">eeePC</a> is quite noticeable. It's very intense near the center and has a very different frequency than the standard 60 hz that I am becoming familiar with in my daily environment.<br />
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I can find the power supply in my LCD monitor by feel, and my roommate's <a href="http://www.sonicare.com/">sonicare toothbrush</a> (not surprisingly) is quite intense. I feel I have just scratched the surface of the sensory capabilities of this implant and can't wait to find new, interesting things to feel!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-4156890559379317372008-05-20T15:46:00.005-05:002018-02-20T09:57:07.155-06:00Two week report: entry cut is healed.After two weeks of pampering my implant entry wound, I figured it was time to pull the band-aid off. Up to this point I had kept it loosely covered, changing the bandage as necessary and treating with Neosporin. At first glance it looked as if the wound had yet to heal. The area around the entry cut had turned white and it looked like a popped blister, for lack of a better comparison. I was afraid that the magnet was once again rejecting and working itself out of my finger. After a quick shower and a gentle scrub, however, the layer of dead white skin came off and revealed that the entry wound had completely closed up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIkgrivyx48CjrpmuBVfkj-tAMIyxvKygAp84kFXJfIeKvc82lB3zid9kgtrBZ1ifzWheY2mD8KCUx0Pf3RoVcgTz8NNskWhTJLaNqq7pB91HbiBRroGSa_5rWTZGqwLTPPLhGXqSNcbQ/s1600-h/SL740398.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202565710753216034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIkgrivyx48CjrpmuBVfkj-tAMIyxvKygAp84kFXJfIeKvc82lB3zid9kgtrBZ1ifzWheY2mD8KCUx0Pf3RoVcgTz8NNskWhTJLaNqq7pB91HbiBRroGSa_5rWTZGqwLTPPLhGXqSNcbQ/s400/SL740398.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Implant entry point after 15 days, up close and under direct LED light. The camera makes it look a lot worse than it actually is.</span><br />
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The second attempt is officially more successful than the first attempt which, as you may recall, failed at week 3 when the magnet came out like a splinter. In the picture above, you see the freshly healed layer of skin where the incision was made, surrounded by dry, cracked skin (I don't exactly moisturize regularly...) The photo makes the area look quite ragged, but it's the same effect you get when you examine your skin with a magnifying glass: what's normal and healthy to your eyes looks rough and gross up close. In fact, the site of the first rejected implant is noticeably lumpier and has been slower to heal than the now healed implant site.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H7qc4olFLLhN3s7NhMkyjev-dzwrUwyFbmlRrGK9pIlVUCLxnXPKeZnVHjPUM-yTQQlHgpwjXUwY3D798PbMDa1a7uHNMvyZgMZgOVKZGSDkdjX5tmP7i7-MECCtMZm5WGXdpo_J8Jba/s1600-h/SL740397.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202573209766114866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4H7qc4olFLLhN3s7NhMkyjev-dzwrUwyFbmlRrGK9pIlVUCLxnXPKeZnVHjPUM-yTQQlHgpwjXUwY3D798PbMDa1a7uHNMvyZgMZgOVKZGSDkdjX5tmP7i7-MECCtMZm5WGXdpo_J8Jba/s400/SL740397.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><span style="font-size: 78%;">Under normal light, the cut is barely noticeable. The speckles in the background are magnets being inspected for flaws.</span></div>
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At the time of writing, the area is no longer painful in any way. Full sensitivity has returned to the region and I can grab, touch, poke, and submerge with no problems. The implant is not at all visible, and can't be readily found by touch.<br />
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The next few months will tell for sure if the tiny Parylene coated magnet was indeed suitable for long term implantation. As for now I'm just happy to not be wearing a Neosporin treated bandaid.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-59526479105780424352008-05-12T09:52:00.003-05:002008-05-12T10:45:46.559-05:00Stitch is outIt's been a little over a week since the second attempt magnet implantation. After examining the healing wound, we removed the stitch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroKNRO4HWdxZSJ5Gj48pufPhC0lQ2BbxOVwiOpQTsSn694eRxP9hFBbFzEOvd5t5FVoVT_MnTpeQjObJ3QDFdwDSvUfjzJato9bXb6jfRVdaEKGjdtFLBiHZbTRsivYuCe9R2_Kip9c6Z/s1600-h/SL740341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroKNRO4HWdxZSJ5Gj48pufPhC0lQ2BbxOVwiOpQTsSn694eRxP9hFBbFzEOvd5t5FVoVT_MnTpeQjObJ3QDFdwDSvUfjzJato9bXb6jfRVdaEKGjdtFLBiHZbTRsivYuCe9R2_Kip9c6Z/s400/SL740341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199515141511755282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">While the photograph makes it look very irritated, the cut seems to be healing nicely.<br /><br /></span></div>Now I just have to heal what amounts to a small cut. While I'm not "out of the woods" on this one (the first attempt also appeared to be healing well before ultimately being rejected,) it does appear much healthier than the first. The hard part will be avoiding absentmindedly playing with the wound. With the stitch in, it was painful to anything more than the lightest of touches, which kept me from messing with it. Now that I can touch it again I find myself rubbing, playing with the band-aid, etc. which is definitely NOT helping the healing process.<br /><br />I have started to get sensations around stronger fields again. I can once again sense the buzz of AC adapters and electric toothbrushes. Magnetic attraction is much weaker though, presumably due to the deeper placement of the magnet. With the last placement I could easily pick up a large paper clip, but this implant is barely able to lift a small paper clip. This does not bother me at all, as the implant is for sensory enhancement rather than utility.<br /><br />Things look good for now, and in the next few weeks I should know for sure if the implant has taken.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-18232079254955119872008-05-05T10:42:00.005-05:002008-05-05T12:30:46.866-05:00Implant #2After receiving a shipment of Parylene coated magnets, I once again had one implanted. After some discussion, we decided to try a slightly different approach. We theorized what went wrong and adjusted the implantation method to better the chances of a successful healing. I made a nifty diagram to illustrate:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaS_WYDY-WYiK3prkJ_0T_CfMRWuK9IQPFpc_cKclW4lYpVQJl2yF7LUD5pn0T9JkvRJ54chM1a7Ne1qXTN7BzdvDgQtOsIhHAyfh5htHtUDiFtUX_SXAuLq-7cZ-KNAz3q0FdM5Vhins/s1600-h/fingers.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaS_WYDY-WYiK3prkJ_0T_CfMRWuK9IQPFpc_cKclW4lYpVQJl2yF7LUD5pn0T9JkvRJ54chM1a7Ne1qXTN7BzdvDgQtOsIhHAyfh5htHtUDiFtUX_SXAuLq-7cZ-KNAz3q0FdM5Vhins/s400/fingers.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196944455467078738" border="0" /></a>Note: The bevel of the needle in the diagram on the right is not in the proper orientation. It was actually rotated 90 degrees so that the pointy long side was facing my fingernail.<br /><br />The first time, which ultimately ended up rejecting, is on the left. The needle was inserted as shown, making a pocket close to the surface. As the wound healed the magnet was pushed out with the help of gravity and the lubricity of Parylene. <br /><br />This time we went straight into the side, deeper into the tissue with no angle to the cut. There was more bleeding this time, which made the magnet a bit tricky to get inside. The suture was probably the most uncomfortable part of the procedure (the black squiggle I drew on the diagram), but I really think it's the key to getting this implant healed properly. <br /><br />I've now started the healing process once again, and am being extra careful not to stress the area or expose it to any strong magnetic fields. With any luck everything will go smoothly and I will be feeling fields in no time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5506525451721608809.post-74092043349511694392008-04-28T13:43:00.014-05:002008-05-05T12:39:45.628-05:00Rejected.Exactly three weeks after implantation, the Parylene coated magnet emerged from my finger. I have several theories as to why the implantation process failed, but will first describe the events of the past week.<br /><br />Last Saturday I made an entry describing what I saw could be beginning of the end. The small cut on the surface of my finger still had not healed, and exploratory poking revealed an unhealed pocket and what looked like the tip of the magnet. I used a band-aid to keep the wound covered and treated it with Neosporin. Things seemed to be going OK, but at the same time it was not healing as I'd hoped.<br /><br />A week later, I took the bandage off for several hours and the events that had happened the previous week repeated themselves. The area around the magnet puffed up and a small discharge came through the cut. This time the discharge was yellowish - a sign that things weren't going well at all. It was at this point that I decided to remove the magnet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLKt1aMCcxFny-cfPQWDUyJW0Fw4r6DhQWGZ5sZH4X3zw1eF30EHxCmTcMJHhGU2gYAq4StlOjA-iE_90L-1TgsYdCmGIM35MP9Up7PQ0agA3PmbhsG-jP21leEj-ujmGySECsmAKTuf/s1600-h/f1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojLKt1aMCcxFny-cfPQWDUyJW0Fw4r6DhQWGZ5sZH4X3zw1eF30EHxCmTcMJHhGU2gYAq4StlOjA-iE_90L-1TgsYdCmGIM35MP9Up7PQ0agA3PmbhsG-jP21leEj-ujmGySECsmAKTuf/s320/f1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194758510386943010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">After 3 weeks, the dark colored magnet could be seen from the original insertion point.</span><br /></div><br />Squeezing just underneath the puffy tissue caused the magnet to peek out of the hole. I used another small magnet to pull on it and the implant loosely moved, held back by a small amount of transparent tissue. I used a sterile razor to make a small incision, which I did not feel at all. The magnet popped out easily at this point, followed by a tiny bit of blood.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijriVWyIwi0llK1LGPPwZrYnP3KQ-I4I7uKFt1QcceEp9SJzUWrKCri4shn_TCxQEQMNZnEz5ySVVsgkL1UN0I-4wC0Xyu0Wk0TyOmb3foV5wj6TWJe_Qel5ubrbN8nppUaa0bA8TdxMrX/s1600-h/SL740137.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijriVWyIwi0llK1LGPPwZrYnP3KQ-I4I7uKFt1QcceEp9SJzUWrKCri4shn_TCxQEQMNZnEz5ySVVsgkL1UN0I-4wC0Xyu0Wk0TyOmb3foV5wj6TWJe_Qel5ubrbN8nppUaa0bA8TdxMrX/s320/SL740137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194747807328441346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">After removal, the area was irritated.<br /><br /></span></div>My finger was a little bit sore afterwords, but without the magnet beneath the skin it has since healed much more quickly. The magnet itself appears to be completely intact. There was no tissue attached to it nor discoloration. The coating seems to have performed as expected, but due to it's exceptional <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubricity">lubricity</a> the implant moved easily around inside. My theory is that the <span style="font-size:100%;">wound, being a puncture wound in nature, healed from the bottom up, moving the magnet along as it healed. Eventually it was just pushed out like a splinter. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I believe the next attempt at implantation should most definitely have a suture. This would cause the surface to heal much more quickly, resulting in a more successful healing process. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbwzNo61BZshlzgaE-uOJXeAhQFvC-H9JZQWNKcJm1zdmuRLd250MmFpjSoVCALWYH_xXjPAOvx_kPrYGHvbioIiG2MMNhOh-e5bwoZDfognovqRVLQOu9Im5NxqzCvaDODiMFuRgiCqX/s1600-h/magnet1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbwzNo61BZshlzgaE-uOJXeAhQFvC-H9JZQWNKcJm1zdmuRLd250MmFpjSoVCALWYH_xXjPAOvx_kPrYGHvbioIiG2MMNhOh-e5bwoZDfognovqRVLQOu9Im5NxqzCvaDODiMFuRgiCqX/s320/magnet1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194758514681910322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">The magnet is perfectly intact, and shows no signs of degradation.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />It was discouraging to have the magnet come out so long after implantation, but at least it was a painless removal. I'm happy to see that the Parylene coating worked well and think that it is an excellent way to protect an implant. Even the small taste of extrasensory perception has propelled me to continue seeking a stable, long term implant. Additional magnet specimens will be arriving within a few days, so hopefully I will be attempting the procedure again soon.<br /><br /></span></span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08552209170914053512noreply@blogger.com4