Computerized apparatus with ingestible probe

• US 10,098,568 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2014
• Issued: 10/16/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Original Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Inventors: Gazdzinski, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P
• Application Number:
  US14/553,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20150150481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00156 using self propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00158 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/043 for fluorescence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/04 Endoscopic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 : Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 : Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4255 : Intestines, colon or appendix
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 : combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7225 : Details of analog processing, e.g. isolation amplifier, gain or sensitivity adjustment, filtering, baseline or drift compensation A61B5/30, A61B5/316 take precedence; transformers for specific applications H01F38/00; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 : involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 : using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 : Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4258 : for detecting non x-ray radiation, e.g. gamma radiation A61B6/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4494 : Means for identifying the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 : in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4245 : involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 : Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 : Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4488 : the transducer being a phased array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 : Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1726 : the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/07 : Proteins
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/10 : with powered movement mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3507 : with implanted devices, e.g. external control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 : using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1042 : Alimentary tract A61M2210/0618 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 : Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/145 : using pressurised reservoirs, e.g. pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 : using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/002 : in combination with another treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1005 : with asymmetrical radiation pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 : Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1014 : Intracavitary radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/004 : by using forward error control H04L1/0618 takes precedence; coding, decoding or code conversion, for error detection or correction H03M13/00

Abstract

An endoscopic apparatus including a probe which is introduced into, for example, the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates therein, adapted to perform one or more functions. In one embodiment, the probe communicates wirelessly with a portable electronic device outside the organism, the portable device which acts to relay data between the probe and a remote networked entity. In one variant, the probe includes an accelerometer to, for example, wake the probe up from a sleep mode when the organism is awake or ambulatory.

Claims

1. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital processing apparatus comprising a power-conserving sleep mode;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;

data storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to generate a signal based on motion of the electronic probe; and

functional apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus; and

a mobile computerized device comprising a second wireless interface, the second wireless interface configured to communicate wirelessly with the first wireless interface when the mobile computerized device is within wireless communications range of the probe and the probe has been ingested by the human being;

wherein the mobile computerized device is further configured to, substantially in response to receipt of data relating to the signal, issue a command to the probe via the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface, the command configured to cause the digital processing apparatus to awake from the sleep mode, and activate the functional apparatus to perform a function associated therewith.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a reservoir, and the function comprises delivery of at least a portion of a medication stored in the reservoir.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function comprises an intestinal tissue biopsy.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electronic probe comprises an intestinal tissue biopsy device and a chamber in communication therewith, the chamber configured to hold at least a portion of intestinal tissue severed by the tissue biopsy device until excretion of the electronic probe by the human being.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electronic probe comprises an intestinal tissue biopsy device having an aperture formed at least in an exterior housing of the electronic probe, the aperture sized so as cause at least a portion of intestinal tissue proximate to the aperture to extend into the aperture prior to severance of the at least portion by the tissue biopsy device.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electronic probe comprises a magnetically actuated intestinal tissue biopsy device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the magnetically actuation of the intestinal tissue biopsy device comprises applying, upon receipt of a command by said digital processing apparatus, an electrical current to an electromagnetic element to cause the tissue biopsy device to sever tissue from an intestinal wall of the human being.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein;

the electronic probe further comprises a detection apparatus configured to enable a target substance found within an intestinal tract of the human being to interact with the detection apparatus when the probe is within the intestinal tract, the interaction enabling detection of the target substance; and

the function comprises the enablement of the interaction.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the detection apparatus comprises a plurality of receptor sites configured to enable binding of one or more molecules of the target substance thereto until at least

excretion of the electronic probe by the living being, the plurality of receptor sites configured to enable subsequent laboratory analysis to determine the presence of the target substance.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the target substance comprises at least one of:

(i) an antigen; and

/or (ii) an antibody generated by the living being in response to the presence of an antigen in the intestinal tract.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising circuitry in communication with the detection apparatus;

and

wherein;

the detection apparatus comprises a plurality of receptor sites configured to enable binding of one or more molecules of the target substance thereto; and

the detection of the target substance comprises detection of a variation of at least one electrical or chemical property associated with the detection apparatus while the probe is within the intestinal tract.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the detection of a variation comprises detection of a variation of at least one of (i) an electrical conductivity;

and/or (ii) an electrical resistance or resistivity.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the detection apparatus comprises at least one of a (i) a diffusive membrane;

and/or (ii) a bio-electronic sensing apparatus.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the target substance comprises at least one of:

(i) an antigen; and

/or (ii) an antibody generated by the living being in response to the presence of an antigen in the intestinal tract.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic probe further comprises a detection apparatus configured to enable a target substance found within an intestinal tract of the human being to interact with the detection apparatus when the probe is within the intestinal tract, the interaction enabling detection of the target substance;

and

the activation of the function comprises activation of the detection apparatus; and

wherein the electronic probe further comprises circuitry in signal communication with the detection apparatus and the first wireless interface, the circuitry configured to cause wireless transmission of data relating to detection of the target substance by the detection apparatus to the mobile computerized device while the probe is disposed within the intestinal tract.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising cover apparatus configured to selectively cover at least a portion of the detection apparatus during at least one of (i) a period prior to the interaction, and/or (ii) a period after the interaction;

wherein;

the first wireless interface is configured to receive a second command generated external to the human being;

and the circuitry is configured to, based at least on receipt of the second command, cause the cover apparatus to selectively cover or uncover the detection apparatus while the electronic probe is within the intestinal tract.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function comprises delivery of a therapy agent, and the electronic probe further comprises a reservoir comprising the therapy agent, the activation of the functional apparatus comprising causing release of at least a portion of the therapy agent from the reservoir.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the therapy agent comprises a ligand.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the ligand comprises a human gene therapy ligand.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the function comprises collection of visual-band image data, and the electronic probe further comprises a visual-band semiconductor-based sensor in data communication with the data processing apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said electronic probe is further configured to transmit at least a portion of the collected visual-band image via the first wireless interface to the second wireless interface.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said digital processing apparatus further comprises a data compression algorithm operative to run thereon, the data compression algorithm configured to compress at least a portion of the at least portion of collected visual band data prior to said transmission via the first wireless interface, the compression of the at least portion configured to reduce a communications bandwidth used by the first wireless interface.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic probe is further configured to:

store the visual-band data within the data storage apparatus; and

after said storage, enable access to the data storage apparatus to obtain the stored visual-band data, the access occurring after the electronic probe has been excreted by the human being.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the access of the data storage apparatus comprises use of a device other than the mobile computerized device to establish a data communication link with the electronic probe in order to transfer the data from the data storage apparatus to the other device.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the data storage device of the electronic probe comprises a flash memory sized to store at least the visual-band data.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile computerized device comprises a cellular-enabled portable electronic device, and the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface each comprise a Bluetooth-compliant transceiver, the Bluetooth-compliant transceivers each configured to operate (i) within a 2.4 GHz frequency band of the Bluetooth protocol, and (ii) at a maximum radiated power in a milliwatt (mW) range, radio frequency energy transmitted by each of the transceivers being able to penetrate through intervening physiological tissue of the human being.

27. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital processing apparatus comprising a power-conserving sleep mode;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;

data storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to generate a signal based on motion of the probe; and

a reservoir configured to contain a therapeutic dose of a medication stored in the reservoir; and

activation circuitry in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to cause, when the circuitry is activated, at least one of;

(i) rupture of at least a portion of the reservoir, and (ii) expulsion of at least a portion of the stored medication from the reservoir; and

a mobile computerized device configured to communicate wirelessly with the first wireless interface when the mobile computerized device is within wireless communications range of the probe and the probe has been ingested by the human being;

wherein the mobile computerized device is further configured to, substantially in response to receipt of data relating to the signal, enable issuance of a command to the probe via the first wireless interface, the command configured to cause the digital processing apparatus to actuate the activation circuitry.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the activation circuitry is configured to, when activated, cause the at least one of:

(i) rupture of at least a portion of the reservoir, and (ii) the expulsion of at least a portion of the stored medication from the reservoir, via application of a pressure generated internally to the probe.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the application of a pressure generated internally to the probe comprises generation of said pressure via a gaseous medium.

30. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital integrated circuit apparatus;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus, the accelerometer configured to at least detect acceleration of the probe when inside the human being, and to communicate one or more signals indicating such acceleration to the digital integrated circuit apparatus for transmission via the first wireless interface; and

function-specific apparatus in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus; and

a mobile electronic device comprising a network interface, the mobile electronic device further comprising a second wireless interface configured to communicate with the probe via the first wireless interface when the mobile electronic device is within wireless communications range of the electronic probe and the probe has been ingested by the human being, the mobile electronic device further configured to send data relating to the one or more signals to a network entity via the network interface, the data relating to the one or more signals apprising the remote entity that the human being is at least one of awake and/or ambulatory;

wherein the mobile electronic device is further configured to;

receive data encoding one or more commands from the network entity via the network interface, the data transmitted by the network entity after receipt by the network entity of the data relating to the one or more signals; and

transmit at least a portion of the data relating to the one or more commands to the electronic probe via the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface so as to cause the probe to activate the function-specific apparatus to accomplish a function associated therewith.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the function comprises collection of visual-band image data, and the electronic probe further comprises a visual-band semiconductor-based sensor in data communication with the data processing apparatus.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said electronic probe is further configured to transmit at least a portion of the collected visual-band image via the first wireless interface to the second wireless interface while the electronic probe is in an intestinal tract of the human being.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said digital processing apparatus further comprises a data compression algorithm operative to run thereon, the data compression algorithm configured to compress at least a portion of the at least portion of collected visual band data prior to said transmission via the first wireless interface, the compression of the at least portion configured to reduce a communications bandwidth used by the first wireless interface.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the electronic probe is further configured to:

store the visual-band data within the data storage apparatus; and

after said storage, enable access to the data storage apparatus to obtain the stored visual-band data, the access occurring after the electronic probe has been excreted by the human being.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the access of the data storage apparatus comprises use of a device other than the mobile electronic device to establish a data communication link with the electronic probe in order to transfer the data from the data storage apparatus to the other device;

wherein the data storage device of the electronic probe comprises a flash memory sized to store at least the visual-band data.

36. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a cellular-enabled mobile electronic device, and the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface each comprise a Bluetooth-compliant transceiver, the Bluetooth-compliant transceivers each configured to operate (i) within a 2.4 GHz frequency band of the Bluetooth protocol, and (ii) at a maximum radiated power in a milliwatt (mW) range, radio frequency energy transmitted by each of the transceivers being able to penetrate through intervening physiological tissue of the human being.

37. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital processing apparatus comprising a power-conserving sleep mode;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;

data storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to generate an output signal based on motion of the electronic probe; and

a reservoir configured to contain a therapeutic dose of a medication stored in the reservoir; and

activation circuitry in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to, based on at least one activation signal generated by the digital processing apparatus, cause expulsion of at least a portion of the stored medication from the reservoir and into an intestinal tract of the human being, the expulsion based at least in part on a pressure applied to the medication; and

a mobile computerized device configured to communicate wirelessly with the first wireless interface when the mobile computerized device is within wireless communications range of the probe and the probe has been ingested by the human being;

wherein the mobile computerized device is further configured to, substantially in response to receipt of data relating to the output signal, enable issuance of a command to the probe via the first wireless interface, the command configured to cause the digital processing apparatus to generate the at least one activation signal.

38. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital integrated circuit apparatus;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus, the accelerometer configured to at least detect acceleration of the probe when inside the human being, and to communicate one or more signals indicating such acceleration to the digital integrated circuit apparatus for transmission via the first wireless interface; and

function-specific apparatus in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus; and

a mobile electronic device comprising a network interface, the mobile electronic device further comprising a second wireless interface configured to communicate with the probe via the first wireless interface when the mobile electronic device is within wireless communications range of the electronic probe and the probe has been ingested by the human;

being, the mobile electronic device further configured to send data relating to the one or more signals to a network entity via the network interface, the data relating to the one or more signals;

wherein the mobile electronic device is further configured to;

receive data encoding one or more commands from the network entity via the network data interface, the data transmitted by the network entity after receipt by the network entity of the data relating to the one or more signals; and

transmit at least a portion of the data relating to the one or more commands to the electronic probe via the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface so as to cause the probe to activate the function-specific apparatus to perform a function associated therewith;

wherein the function comprises an intestinal tissue biopsy.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the electronic probe comprises an intestinal tissue biopsy device and a chamber in communication therewith, the chamber configured to hold at least a portion of intestinal tissue severed by the tissue biopsy device until excretion of the electronic probe by the human being.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the electronic probe comprises an intestinal tissue biopsy device having an aperture formed at least in an exterior housing of the electronic probe, the aperture sized so as cause at least a portion of intestinal tissue proximate to the aperture to extend into the aperture prior to severance of the at least portion by the tissue biopsy device.

41. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the electronic probe comprises a magnetically actuated intestinal tissue biopsy device.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the magnetically actuation of the intestinal tissue biopsy device comprises applying, upon receipt of a command by said digital processing apparatus, an electrical current to an electromagnetic element to cause the tissue biopsy device to sever tissue from an intestinal wall of the human being.

43. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital integrated circuit apparatus;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus, the accelerometer configured to at least detect acceleration of the probe when inside the human being, and to communicate one or more signals indicating such acceleration to the digital integrated circuit apparatus for transmission via the first wireless interface; and

function-specific apparatus in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus; and

a mobile electronic device comprising a network interface, the mobile electronic device further comprising a second wireless interface configured to communicate with the probe via the first wireless interface when the mobile electronic device is within wireless communications range of the electronic probe and the probe has been ingested by the human being, the mobile electronic device further configured to send data relating to the one or more signals to a network entity via the network interface, the data relating to the one or more signals;

wherein the mobile electronic device is further configured to;

receive data encoding one or more commands from the network entity via the network data interface, the data transmitted by the network entity after receipt by the network entity of the data relating to the one or more signals; and

transmit at least a portion of the data relating to the one or more commands to the electronic probe via the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface so as to cause the probe to activate the function-specific apparatus to perform a function associated therewith; and

wherein;

the electronic probe further comprises a detection apparatus in signal communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus and configured to enable a target substance found within an intestinal tract of the human being to interact with the detection apparatus when the probe is within the intestinal tract, the interaction enabling detection of the target substance; and

the function comprises the enablement of the interaction.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the detection apparatus comprises a plurality of receptor sites configured to enable binding of one or more molecules of the target substance thereto at least until excretion of the electronic probe by the living being, the plurality of receptor sites configured to enable subsequent laboratory analysis of at least part of the detection apparatus to determine the presence of the target substance.

45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the target substance comprises at least one of:

(i) an antigen; and

/or (ii) an antibody generated by the living being in response to the presence of an antigen in the intestinal tract.

46. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising circuitry in communication with the detection apparatus;

and

wherein;

the detection apparatus comprises a plurality of receptor sites configured to enable binding of one or more molecules of the target substance thereto; and

the detection of the target substance comprises detection, via at least the circuitry, of a variation of at least one electrical or chemical property associated with the detection apparatus while the probe is within the intestinal tract.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the detection of a variation comprises detection of a variation of at least one of (i) an electrical conductivity;

and/or (ii) an electrical resistance or resistivity.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the detection apparatus comprises at least one of a (i) a diffusive membrane;

and/or (ii) a bio-electronic sensing apparatus.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the target substance comprises at least one of:

(i) an antigen; and

/or (ii) an antibody generated by the living being in response to the presence of an antigen in the intestinal tract.

50. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital integrated circuit apparatus;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus, the accelerometer configured to at least detect acceleration of the probe when inside the human being, and to communicate one or more signals indicating such acceleration to the digital integrated circuit apparatus for transmission via the first wireless interface; and

function-specific apparatus in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus; and

a mobile electronic device comprising a network interface, the mobile electronic device further comprising a second wireless interface configured to communicate with the probe via the first wireless interface when the mobile electronic device is within wireless communications range of the electronic probe and the probe has been ingested by the human being, the mobile electronic device further configured to send data relating to the one or more signals to a network entity via the network interface, the data relating to the one or more signals;

wherein the mobile electronic device is further configured to;

receive data encoding one or more commands from the network entity via the network data interface, the data transmitted by the network entity after receipt by the network entity of the data relating to the one or more signals; and

transmit at least a portion of the data relating to the one or more commands to the electronic probe via the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface so as to cause the probe to activate the function-specific apparatus to perform a function associated therewith; and

wherein;

the electronic probe further comprises a detection apparatus configured to enable a target substance found within an intestinal tract of the human being to interact with the detection apparatus when the probe is within the intestinal tract, the interaction enabling detection of the target substance; and

the activation of the function comprises activation of the detection apparatus; and

the electronic probe further comprises circuitry in signal communication with the detection apparatus and the first wireless interface, the circuitry configured to cause wireless transmission of data relating to detection of the target substance by the detection apparatus to the mobile electronic device while the probe is disposed within the intestinal tract.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising cover apparatus configured to selectively cover at least a portion of the detection apparatus during at least one of (i) a period prior to the interaction, and/or (ii) a period after the interaction;

wherein;

the first wireless interface is configured to receive a second command generated external to the human being;

and the circuitry is configured to, based at least on receipt of the second command, cause the cover apparatus to selectively cover or uncover the detection apparatus while the electronic probe is within the intestinal tract.

52. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital integrated circuit apparatus;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus, the accelerometer configured to at least detect acceleration of the probe when inside the human being, and to communicate one or more signals indicating such acceleration to the digital integrated circuit apparatus for transmission via the first wireless interface; and

function-specific apparatus in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus; and

a mobile electronic device comprising a network interface, the mobile electronic device further comprising a second wireless interface configured to communicate with the probe via the first wireless interface when the mobile electronic device is within wireless communications range of the electronic probe and the probe has been ingested by the human being, the mobile electronic device further configured to send data relating to the one or more signals to a network entity via the network interface, the data relating to the one or more signals;

wherein the mobile electronic device is further configured to;

receive data encoding one or more commands from the network entity via the network data interface, the data transmitted by the network entity after receipt by the network entity of the data relating to the one or more signals; and

transmit at least a portion of the data relating to the one or more commands to the electronic probe via the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface so as to cause the probe to activate the function-specific apparatus to perform a function associated therewith;

and wherein the function comprises delivery of a therapy agent, and the electronic probe further comprises a reservoir comprising the therapy agent, the activation of the functional apparatus comprising causing release of at least a portion of the therapy agent from the reservoir.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the therapy agent comprises a human gene therapy ligand.

54. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital integrated circuit apparatus;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus, the accelerometer configured to at least detect acceleration of the probe when inside the human being, and to communicate one or more signals indicating such acceleration to the digital integrated circuit apparatus for transmission via the first wireless interface; and

function-specific apparatus in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus; and

a mobile electronic device comprising a network interface, the mobile electronic device further comprising a second wireless interface configured to communicate with the probe via the first wireless interface when the mobile electronic device is within wireless communications range of the electronic probe and the probe has been ingested by the human being, the mobile electronic device further configured to send data relating to the one or more signals to a network entity via the network interface, the data relating to the one or more signals;

wherein the mobile electronic device is further configured to;

receive data encoding one or more commands from the network entity via the network data interface, the data transmitted by the network entity after receipt by the network entity of the data relating to the one or more signals; and

transmit at least a portion of the data relating to the one or more commands to the electronic probe via the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface so as to cause the probe to activate the function-specific apparatus to perform a function associated therewith; and

wherein the function comprises collection of visual-band image data, and the electronic probe further comprises a visual-band semiconductor-based sensor in data communication with the data processing apparatus.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said electronic probe is further configured to transmit at least a portion of the collected visual-band image via the first wireless interface to the second wireless interface.

56. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said digital processing apparatus further comprises data compression algorithm operative to run thereon, the data compression algorithm configured to compress at least a portion of the at least portion of collected visual band data prior to said transmission via the first wireless interface, the compression of the at least portion configured to reduce a communications bandwidth used by the first wireless interface.

57. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the electronic probe is further configured to:

store the visual-band data within the data storage apparatus; and

after said storage, enable access to the data storage apparatus to obtain the stored visual-band data, the access occurring after the electronic probe has been excreted by the human being.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the access of the data storage apparatus comprises use of a device other than the mobile electronic device to establish a data communication link with the electronic probe in order to transfer the data from the data storage apparatus to the other device.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the data storage device of the electronic probe comprises a flash memory sized to store at least the visual-band data.

60. Computerized apparatus, comprising:

an electronic probe ingestible by a human being, the electronic probe comprising;

digital integrated circuit apparatus;

a first wireless interface in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus;

an accelerometer in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus, the accelerometer configured to at least detect acceleration of the probe when inside the human being, and to communicate one or more signals indicating such acceleration to the digital integrated circuit apparatus for transmission via the first wireless interface; and

function-specific apparatus in data communication with the digital integrated circuit apparatus; and

a mobile electronic device comprising a network interface, the mobile electronic device further comprising a second wireless interface configured to communicate with the probe via the first wireless interface when the mobile electronic device is within wireless communications range of the electronic probe and the probe has been ingested by the human being, the mobile electronic device further configured to send data relating to the one or more signals to a network entity via the network interface, the data relating to the one or more signals;

wherein the mobile electronic device is further configured to;

receive data encoding one or more commands from the network entity via the network data interface, the data transmitted by the network entity after receipt by the network entity of the data relating to the one or more signals; and

transmit at least a portion of the data relating to the one or more commands to the electronic probe via the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface so as to cause the probe to activate the function-specific apparatus to perform a function associated therewith; and

wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a cellular-enabled portable electronic device, and the second wireless interface and the first wireless interface each comprise a Bluetooth-compliant transceiver, the Bluetooth-compliant transceivers each configured to operate (i) within a 2.4 GHz frequency band of the Bluetooth protocol, and (ii) at a maximum radiated power in a milliwatt (mW) range, radio frequency energy transmitted by each of the transceivers being able to penetrate through intervening physiological tissue of the human being.