Internal monitoring system with detection of food intake

• US 20030009202A1
• Filed: 07/09/2001
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Levine
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Levine
• Inventors: Levine, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,735,477 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/58
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A system is provided that includes a behavior detection unit for detecting behavior of the human, a reaction causing unit for causing a reaction in the human, and a control unit for controlling the reaction causing unit to cause the reaction in the human in accordance with detection of the behavior of the human by the behavior detection unit. The behavior involves intake of food into the body of the human, and the reaction causing unit uses electrical and chemical stimulation.

Claims

1. An open-loop internal monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of internal radio transmitters, each said internal radio transmitter being implanted in a human for transmitting a plurality of signal pulses, each said signal pulse being encoded with at least information uniquely identifying one said internal radio transmitter;

a plurality of external radio receivers, each said external radio receiver for receiving each of said plurality of signal pulses transmitted by each of said plurality of internal radio transmitters and for generating a plurality of received signal data, each received signal datum corresponding to each said received signal pulse and including at least a time-of-arrival of said received signal pulse and said internal radio transmitter identifying information decoded from said received signal pulse;

a central processor for (1) estimating a plurality of locations for each said internal radio transmitter, and thus for each said human, from said pluralities of received signal data generated by said plurality of external radio receivers, (2) determining an event of whether at least one of said plurality of locations is outside a predetermined area assigned to any one of said humans and stored in said central processor, and (3) notifying a monitor of said central processor upon occurrence of said event; and

a plurality of relays, each relay for relaying said plurality of received signal data from each said external radio receiver to said central processor.

2. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of substance monitoring units, each said substance monitoring unit implanted in a different one of said humans and electrically connected to said implanted internal radio transmitter for detecting the presence of a predetermined amount of a predetermined substance in said one human,

wherein said plurality of signal pulses are further encoded with information regarding the detection of said predetermined substance, said received signal data also includes said substance detection information, and said central processor notifies said monitor of the detection of the predetermined substance in said human.

3. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein each said internal radio transmitter comprises:

a case, said case being hermetically-sealed and sterile;

a radio transmitter unit encased in said case; and

an antenna connected to said radio transmitter unit.

4. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein each said internal radio transmitter further comprises:

a processor electrically connected to said radio transmitter unit for controlling said radio transmitter unit.

5. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein said antenna extends to one of below the said human'"'"'s skin and externally of the human.

6. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said internal radio transmitter is surgically implanted below the skin of said human.

7. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of external radio receivers comprises at least three external radio receivers and said central processor estimates location by a hyperbolic method using said times-of-arrival of said pluralities of received signal data.

8. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of external radio receivers comprises at least two external radio receivers, wherein said received signal datum generated by each said external radio receiver further includes a bearing of said received signal pulse as determined by said external radio receiver, and said central processor estimates location by a triangulation method using said bearings of said pluralities of received signal data.

9. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of locations for each said internal radio transmitter is stored in a memory of said central processor.

10. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said event is stored in a memory of said central processor.

11. An open-loop internal monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of internal radio transmitters, each said internal radio transmitter being implanted in a human for transmitting a plurality of signal pulses, each said signal pulse being encoded with at least information uniquely identifying one said internal radio transmitter;

a plurality of substance monitoring units, each said substance monitoring unit implanted in a different one of said humans and electrically connected to said implanted internal radio transmitter for detecting the presence of a predetermined amount of a predetermined substance in said one human, wherein said plurality of signal pulses are further encoded with information regarding the detection of said predetermined substance;

a plurality of external radio receivers, each said external radio receiver for receiving each of said plurality of signal pulses transmitted by each of said plurality of internal radio transmitters and for generating a plurality of received signal data, each received signal datum corresponding to each said received signal pulse and including at least said internal radio transmitter identifying information decoded from said received signal pulse and said substance detection information;

a central processor for notifying a monitor of said central processor upon occurrence of said detection of the predetermined substance in any one of said humans as determined from said pluralities of received signal data from said plurality of external radio receivers; and

a plurality of relays, each relay for relaying said plurality of received signal data from each said external radio receiver to said central processor.

12. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein said substance monitoring unit comprises a chemical analyzer.

13. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined substance is alcohol.

14. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined substance is an illegal narcotic.

15. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein said detection of the predetermined substance is stored in a memory said central processor.

16. An open-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 11, wherein said substance monitoring unit is implanted apart from said internal radio transmitter.

18. A closed-loop internal monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein said transmitting parameters comprise a duration and an amplitude of each said signal pulse, and a period of said plurality of signal pulses.

20. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 19, each said behavior control unit further comprising:

an electrode, a first end of said electrode being surgically attached to an organ of said human and a second end of said electrode being electrically connected to said electrical stimulator;

an electrode stimulator for electrically charging said electrode with a stimulating voltage for a predetermined period of time upon receipt of said command by said internal radio receiver, and thereby disturbing said organ and causing said unpleasant reaction in said human.

21. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 20, wherein said stimulating voltage is varied.

22. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 20, each said behavior control unit further comprising:

an oxygen sensor, said oxygen sensor for detecting the presence of a predetermined amount of oxygen surrounding at least one of the components of said system mounted internally of the subject and relaying said oxygen detection to said connected internal radio transmitter,

wherein said internal radio transmitter further encodes said plurality of signal pulses with information regarding said oxygen detection, said received signal data further includes said oxygen detection information, and said central processor notifies a monitor of said monitoring system of said oxygen detection.

23. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 19 each said behavior control unit further comprising:

a dispensing tube;

a connecting tube;

a chemical reservoir for storing a chemical capable of causing said unpleasant reaction in said human; and

a calibrated micropump connected to said chemical reservoir by said connecting tube for dispensing through said dispensing tube a predetermined dosage of said chemical from said chemical reservoir upon receipt of said command by said internal radio receiver, thereby causing said unpleasant reaction in said human.

24. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 19 each said behavior control unit further comprising:

a dispensing tube;

a chemical reservoir partitioned into a first and second subreservoir, the first subreservoir for storing a chemical capable of causing said unpleasant reaction in said human and the second subreservoir for storing an antidote to said chemical capable of negating said unpleasant reaction in said human;

a first connecting tube extending from said first subreservoir;

a second connecting tube extending from said second reservoir; and

a calibrated micropump connected to said first subreservoir by said first connecting tube and connected to said second subreservoir by said second connecting tube, said calibrated micropump for dispensing through said dispensing tube a first predetermined dosage of said chemical from said first subreservoir upon receipt of a first command by said internal radio receiver, thereby causing said unpleasant reaction in said human, and for dispensing through said dispensing tube a second predetermined dosage of said antidote from said second subreservoir upon receipt of a second command by said internal radio receiver, thereby negating said unpleasant reaction in said human.

26. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 25, each said behavior control unit further comprising:

an electrode, a first end of said electrode being surgically attached to an organ of said human and a second end of said electrode being electrically connected to said electrical stimulator;

an electrode stimulator for electrically charging said electrode with a stimulating voltage for a predetermined period of time upon receipt of said command by said internal radio receiver, and thereby disturbing said organ and causing said unpleasant reaction in said human.

27. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 26, wherein said stimulating voltage is varied.

28. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 26, each said behavior control unit further comprising:

an oxygen sensor, said oxygen sensor for detecting the presence of a predetermined amount of oxygen surrounding at least one of the components of said system mounted internally of the subject and relaying said oxygen detection to said connected internal radio transmitter,

wherein said internal radio transmitter further encodes said plurality of signal pulses with information regarding said oxygen detection, said received signal data further includes said oxygen detection information, and said central processor notifies a monitor of said monitoring system of said oxygen detection.

29. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 25 each said behavior control unit further comprising:

a dispensing tube;

a connecting tube;

a chemical reservoir for storing a chemical capable of causing said unpleasant reaction in said human; and

a calibrated micropump connected to said chemical reservoir by said connecting tube for dispensing through said dispensing tube a predetermined dosage of said chemical from said chemical reservoir upon receipt of said command by said internal radio receiver, thereby causing said unpleasant reaction in said human.

30. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system according to claim 25 each said behavior control unit further comprising:

a dispensing tube;

a chemical reservoir partitioned into a first and second subreservoir, the first subreservoir for storing a chemical capable of causing said unpleasant reaction in said human and the second subreservoir for storing an antidote to said chemical capable of negating said unpleasant reaction in said human;

a first connecting tube extending from said first subreservoir;

a second connecting tube extending from said second reservoir; and

a calibrated micropump connected to said first subreservoir by said first connecting tube and connected to said second subreservoir by said second connecting tube, said calibrated micropump for dispensing through said dispensing tube a first predetermined dosage of said chemical from said first subreservoir upon receipt of a first command by said internal radio receiver, thereby causing said unpleasant reaction in said human, and for dispensing through said dispensing tube a second predetermined dosage of said antidote from said second subreservoir upon receipt of a second command by said internal radio receiver, thereby negating said unpleasant reaction in said human.

17. A closed-loop internal monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of internal radio transmitters, each said internal radio transmitter being implanted in a human for transmitting a plurality of signal pulses and having a plurality of transmitting parameters, each said signal pulse being encoded with at least information uniquely identifying one said internal radio transmitter;

a plurality of external radio receivers, each said external radio receiver for receiving each of said plurality of signal pulses transmitted by each of said plurality of internal radio transmitters and for generating a plurality of received signal data, each received signal datum corresponding to each said received signal pulse and including at least a time-of-arrival of said received signal pulse and said internal radio transmitter identifying information decoded from said received signal pulse;

a central processor for (1) estimating a plurality of locations for each said internal radio transmitter, and thus for each said human, from said pluralities of received signal data generated by said plurality of external radio receivers, (2) determining an event of whether at least one of said plurality of locations is outside a predetermined area assigned to any one of said humans and stored in said central processor, and (3) notifying a monitor of said central processor upon occurrence of said event;

a plurality of relays, each relay for relaying said plurality of received signal data from each said external radio receiver to said central processor;

a plurality of internal radio receivers, each said internal radio receiver implanted in a different one of said humans and electrically connected to said implanted internal radio transmitter, for receiving a command generated by said central processor, wherein said command includes information uniquely identifying one of said internal radio receivers and, upon receipt by said one internal radio receiver, causes said connected internal radio transmitter to change at least one of said plurality of transmitting parameters;

an external radio transmitter for transmitting said command to said plurality of internal radio receivers; and

a second relay for relaying said command from said central processor to said external radio transmitter.

19. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system comprising:

a plurality of internal radio transmitters, each said internal radio transmitter being implanted in a human for transmitting a plurality of signal pulses, each said signal pulse being encoded with at least information uniquely identifying one said internal radio transmitter;

a plurality of external radio receivers, each said external radio receiver for receiving each of said plurality of signal pulses transmitted by each of said plurality of internal radio transmitters and for generating a plurality of received signal data, each received signal datum corresponding to each said received signal pulse and including at least a time-of-arrival of said received signal pulse and said internal radio transmitter identifying information decoded from said received signal pulse;

a central processor for (1) estimating a plurality of locations for each said internal radio transmitter, and thus for each said human, from said pluralities of received signal data generated by said plurality of external radio receivers, (2) determining an event of whether at least one of said plurality of locations is outside a predetermined area assigned to any one of said humans and stored in said central processor, and (3) generating a command upon occurrence of said event, wherein said command includes information uniquely identifying said human for which said event occurred;

a plurality of relays, each relay for relaying said plurality of received signal data from each said external radio receiver to said central processor;

a plurality of behavior control units, each said behavior control unit implanted in a different one of said humans and electrically connected to said implanted internal radio transmitter for causing an unpleasant reaction in said human upon receipt of said command;

a plurality of internal radio receivers, each said internal radio receiver implanted in a different one of said humans and electrically connected to said implanted behavior control unit, for receiving said command generated by said central processor and, if said command is intended for said one human as determined by said unique human identification information, relaying said command to said connected behavior control unit;

an external radio transmitter for transmitting said command to said plurality of internal radio receivers; and

a second relay for relaying said command from said central processor to said external radio transmitter.

25. A closed-loop internal monitoring and behavior control system comprising:

a plurality of internal radio transmitters, each said internal radio transmitter being implanted in a human for transmitting a plurality of signal pulses, each said signal pulse being encoded with at least information uniquely identifying one said internal radio transmitter;

a plurality of substance monitoring units, each said substance monitoring unit implanted in a different one of said humans and electrically connected to said implanted internal radio transmitter for detecting the presence of a predetermined amount of a predetermined substance in said one human, wherein said plurality of signal pulses are further encoded with information regarding the detection of said predetermined substance;

a plurality of external radio receivers, each said external radio receiver for receiving each of said plurality of signal pulses transmitted by each of said plurality of internal radio transmitters and for generating a plurality of received signal data, each received signal datum corresponding to each said received signal pulse and including at least said internal radio transmitter identifying information decoded from said received signal pulse and said substance detection information;

a central processor for generating a command upon occurrence of said detection of the predetermined substance in said human as determined from said pluralities of received signal data from said plurality of external radio receivers, wherein said command includes information uniquely identifying said human in which said detection occurred;

a plurality of relays, each relay for relaying said plurality of received signal data from each said external radio receiver to said central processor;

a plurality of behavior control units, each said behavior control unit implanted in a different one of said humans and electrically connected to said implanted internal radio transmitter for causing an unpleasant reaction in said one human upon receipt of said command;

a plurality of internal radio receivers, each said internal radio receiver implanted in a different one of said humans and electrically connected to said implanted behavior control unit, for receiving said command generated by said central processor and, if said command is intended for said one human as determined by said unique human identification information, relaying said command to said connected behavior control unit;

an external radio transmitter for transmitting said command to said plurality of internal radio receivers; and

a second relay for relaying said command from said central processor to said external radio transmitter.

31. An apparatus comprising:

a food intake detector that is configured to detect food intake by a human;

a stimulus applying unit that is configured to apply a stimulus to the human; and

a control unit that is configured to cause said stimulus applying unit to apply a stimulus to the human in accordance with detection by said food intake detector of food intake by the human.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said stimulus applying unit comprises an electrical stimulator that is arranged to deliver an electrical charge to the human.

33. An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said electrical stimulator is implanted within the human.

34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said electrical stimulator is subcutaneously implanted.

35. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said electrical stimulator is arranged to deliver an electrical charge to the intestines.

36. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said electrical stimulator is arranged to deliver an electrical charge to a nerve.

37. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein said electrical stimulator is arranged to deliver an electrical charge to a muscle.

38. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said stimulus applying unit comprises a chemical reservoir that is arranged to dispense a substance into the human.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said chemical reservoir is implanted within the human.

40. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the substance is a nausea-inducing substance, an anxiety-inducing substance, or a cramping-inducing substance.

41. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said food intake detector detects food intake in accordance with detection of changes in density of the esophagus.

42. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said food intake detector detects food intake in accordance with detection of sound.

43. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said food intake detector detects food intake in accordance with detection of peristaltic action.

44. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said food intake detector is implanted within the human.

45. An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said food intake detector directly contacts the esophagus.

46. An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said food intake detector is subcutaneously implanted within the human.

47. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said control unit is implanted within the human.

48. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said control unit is implanted within the abdominal cavity.

49. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said control unit is subcutaneously implanted.

50. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said control unit causes said stimulus applying unit to apply a stimulus to the human in accordance with (a) detection by said food intake detector of food intake by the human and (b) the time so as to apply the stimulus only at times other than one or more predetermined time periods.

51. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the one or more predetermined time periods include at least three periods per day.

52. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said control unit communicates with said food intake detector and said stimulus applying unit by a wireless connection.

53. A system comprising:

an ingestion monitor implanted in a human that is configured to sense ingestion, through the esophagus, by the human;

an electrical charge applicator implanted in the human that is configured to apply an electrical charge to the human;

a controller that is configured to cause said electrical charge applicator to apply an electrical charge to the human in accordance with said ingestion monitor sensing ingestion by the human outside of one or more predetermined time periods.

54. A system according to claim 53, wherein said control unit is implanted in the human.

55. A system comprising:

behavior detection means implanted in a human for detecting behavior of the human, wherein the behavior involves intake of food into the body of the human;

reaction causing means implanted in the human for causing a reaction in the human, said reaction causing means comprising electrical stimulation means; and

control means for controlling said reaction causing means to cause the reaction in the human in accordance with detection by said behavior detection means of the behavior of the human.

56. A system according to claim 55, wherein said control means is implanted in the human.

57. A system according to claim 56, wherein said control means is reprogrammable via a wireless connection.

58. A system according to claim 56, wherein said electrical stimulation means applies electrical charge to the human with at least one of intensity and duration controlled by said control means.

59. A system comprising:

behavior detection means implanted in a human for detecting behavior of the human, wherein the behavior involves drug intake into the body of the human;

reaction causing means implanted in the human for causing a reaction in the human, said reaction causing means comprising one of electrical stimulation means and chemical dispensing means; and

control means for controlling said reaction causing means to cause the reaction in the human in accordance with detection by said behavior detection means of the behavior of the human.

60. A system comprising:

behavior detection means implanted in a human for detecting behavior of the human, wherein the behavior involves intake of food into the body of the human;

reaction causing means implanted in the human for causing a reaction in the human, said reaction causing means comprising chemical stimulation means; and

control means for controlling said reaction causing means to cause the reaction in the human in accordance with detection by said behavior detection means of the behavior of the human.

61. A system according to claim 60, wherein said chemical dispensing means dispenses a chemical in an amount controlled by said control means.

62. A system according to claim 60, wherein said chemical dispensing means comprises a chemical reservoir with a micro-pump and catheter leading to a body cavity or blood vessel.