Highly reliable ingestible event markers and methods for using the same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An ingestible event marker comprising:
- a support comprising a first external surface and a second external surface;
a control circuit in contact with the support to control the event marker;
a first electrochemical material in contact with the support and electrically coupled to the control circuit, wherein the first electrochemical material is positioned on the first external surface;
a second electrochemical material electrically coupled to the control circuit and in contact with the support at a location different from the location of the first material, wherein the second electrochemical material is positioned on the second external surface, wherein positioning the first electrochemical material on the first external surface and the second electrochemical material on the second external surface is configured to electrically isolate the first and second electrochemical materials from each other, and wherein the first electrochemical material is dissimilar from the second electrochemical material; and
a membrane physically associated with the support and positioned between the first electrochemical material and the second electrochemical material, wherein the membrane comprises an electrically insulative material, wherein the first electrochemical material, the second electrochemical material, and the membrane are configured to produce a dipole having a predefined dipole length based on the membrane, and wherein the membrane defines a concave shape configuration configured to prevent adherence of at least one of the first external surface and the second external surface to a target site; and
wherein the control circuit is configured to generate a signal along a current path that employs a body as an electrically conductive medium upon the application of a voltage potential to the control circuit.
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Abstract
Ingestible event markers having high reliability are provided. Aspects of the ingestible event markers include a support, a control circuit, a first electrochemical material, a second electrochemical material and a membrane. In addition, the ingestible event markers may include one or more components that impart high reliability to the ingestible event marker. Further, the ingestible event markers may include an active agent. In some aspects, the active agent, such as a pharmaceutically active agent or a diagnostic agent may be associated with the membrane.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An ingestible event marker comprising:
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a support comprising a first external surface and a second external surface; a control circuit in contact with the support to control the event marker; a first electrochemical material in contact with the support and electrically coupled to the control circuit, wherein the first electrochemical material is positioned on the first external surface; a second electrochemical material electrically coupled to the control circuit and in contact with the support at a location different from the location of the first material, wherein the second electrochemical material is positioned on the second external surface, wherein positioning the first electrochemical material on the first external surface and the second electrochemical material on the second external surface is configured to electrically isolate the first and second electrochemical materials from each other, and wherein the first electrochemical material is dissimilar from the second electrochemical material; and a membrane physically associated with the support and positioned between the first electrochemical material and the second electrochemical material, wherein the membrane comprises an electrically insulative material, wherein the first electrochemical material, the second electrochemical material, and the membrane are configured to produce a dipole having a predefined dipole length based on the membrane, and wherein the membrane defines a concave shape configuration configured to prevent adherence of at least one of the first external surface and the second external surface to a target site; and wherein the control circuit is configured to generate a signal along a current path that employs a body as an electrically conductive medium upon the application of a voltage potential to the control circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An ingestible event marker comprising:
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a support comprising a first external surface and a second external surface; a control circuit in contact with the support to control the event marker; a first electrochemical material in contact with the support and electrically coupled to the control circuit, wherein the first electrochemical material is positioned on the first external surface; a second electrochemical material electrically coupled to the control circuit and in contact with the support at a location different from the location of the first material, wherein the second electrochemical material is positioned on the second external surface, wherein positioning the first electrochemical material on the first external surface and the second electrochemical material on the second external surface is configured to electrically isolate the first and second electrochemical materials from each other, and wherein the first electrochemical material is dissimilar from the second electrochemical material; and a membrane physically associated with the support and positioned between the first electrochemical material and the second electrochemical material, wherein the membrane comprises an electrically insulative material, wherein the first electrochemical material, the second electrochemical material, and the membrane are configured to produce a dipole having a predefined dipole length based on the membrane, and wherein the membrane comprises a weight non-centrically associated with the membrane and configured to promote movement of the ingestible event marker in a liquid; and wherein the control circuit is configured to generate a signal along a current path that employs a body as an electrically conductive medium upon the application of a voltage potential to the control circuit.
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16. A system comprising:
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an active agent; and an ingestible event marker comprising; a support comprising a first external surface and a second external surface; a control circuit in contact with the support to control the event marker; a first electrochemical material in contact with the support and electrically coupled to the control circuit, wherein the first electrochemical material is positioned on the first external surface; a second electrochemical material electrically coupled to the control circuit, wherein the second electrochemical material is in contact with the support at a location different from the location of the first material to electrically isolate the first and second electrochemical materials from each other, wherein the second electrochemical material is positioned on the second external surface, and wherein the first electrochemical material is dissimilar from the second electrochemical material; and a membrane physically associated with the support and positioned between the first electrochemical material and the second electrochemical material, wherein the membrane comprises an electrically insulative material, and wherein the first electrochemical material, the second electrochemical material, and the membrane are configured to produce a dipole having a predefined dipole length based on the membrane, and wherein the membrane defines a concave shape configuration configured to prevent adherence of at least one of the first external surface and the second external surface to a target site; and wherein the control circuit is configured to generate a signal along a current path that employs a body as an electrically conductive medium upon the application of a voltage potential to the control circuit.
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Specification