Lumen-traveling biological interface device and method of use

• US 20090131737A1
• Filed: 01/12/2009
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Tegreene, Clarence T., Hillis, W. Daniel, Jung, Edward K.Y., Ferren, Bran, Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Wood, Victoria Y.H., Leuthardt, Eric C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,024,036 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/12
• 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 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/07 Endoradiosondes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula

Abstract

Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.

Claims

1-100. -100. (canceled)

101. A method of emplacing a cardiac stimulation device, comprising:

causing a self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within a body tube tree of a subject toward a target site;

if a branch point including two or more branches within the body tube tree is reached by the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device, causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to enter a branch leading toward the target site; and

causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to stop traveling upon reaching the target site.

102. The method of claim 101, including introducing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device into the body tube tree of the subject.

103. The method of claim 101, including causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to engage a wall of the body tube tree at the target site.

104. The method of claim 101, including pushing one or more additional cardiac stimulation devices with the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device.

105. The method of claim 101, including pulling one or more additional cardiac stimulation devices with the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device.

106. The method of claim 101, wherein the body tube tree is a vascular system of the subject.

107. The method of claim 101, wherein causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the body tube tree of the subject toward the target site includes causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the body tube tree under the control of a control system located at least in part on the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device.

108. The method of claim 101, wherein causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the body tube tree of the subject toward the target site includes causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the body tube tree toward a target site located within a chamber of a heart of the subject.

109. The method of claim 101, wherein the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device is an electrical stimulation device.

110. The method of claim 101, wherein the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device is a magnetic stimulation device.

111. The method of claim 101, wherein the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device is an optical stimulation device.

112. The method of claim 101, wherein the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device is a chemical stimulation device.

113. The method of claim 101, including selecting the target site by selecting a site in proximity to a stimulation target.

114. The method of claim 101, including selecting the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device by selecting a self-propelling cardiac stimulation device sized to fit within the target site.

115. The method of claim 114, selecting the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device from an assortment of self-propelling cardiac stimulation devices of different sizes.

116. The method of claim 101, adjusting the size of the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to fit within the target site.

117. The method of claim 101, wherein causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the body tube tree of the subject toward the target site includes causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the body tube tree under the control of a remote portion.

118. The method of claim 101, including detecting the branch point with a sensor on the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device.

119. The method of claim 101, including engaging a wall of the body tube tree by causing at least a portion of the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to expand to form a pressure fit with the wall of the body tube tree.

120. The method of claim 101, including engaging a wall of the body tube tree by releasing an adhesive material from the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device.

121. The method of claim 101, including engaging a wall of the body tube tree by extending at least one claw or barb-like structure from the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to penetratingly engage the wall of the body tube tree.

122. A method of emplacing a cardiac stimulation device, comprising:

causing a self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within a vascular system of a subject toward a target site located within a chamber of a heart of the subject;

causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to stop traveling upon reaching the target site.

123. The method of claim 122, including introducing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device into the vascular system of the subject.

124. The method of claim 122, including causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to engage a wall of the vascular system at the target site.

125. The method of claim 122, wherein causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the vascular system of the subject toward the target site includes causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the vascular system under the control of a control system located at least in part on the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device.

126. The method of claim 122, wherein the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device is an electrical stimulation device.

127. The method of claim 122, wherein the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device is a magnetic stimulation device.

128. The method of claim 122, wherein the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device is an optical stimulation device.

129. The method of claim 122, wherein the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device is a chemical stimulation device.

130. The method of claim 122, adjusting the size of the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to fit within the target site.

131. The method of claim 122, wherein causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the vascular system of the subject toward the target site includes causing the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to travel within the vascular system under the control of a remote portion.

132. The method of claim 122, including engaging a wall of the vascular system by causing at least a portion of the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to expand to form a pressure fit with the wall of the vascular system.

133. The method of claim 122, including engaging a wall of the vascular system by releasing an adhesive material from the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device.

134. The method of claim 122, including engaging a wall of the vascular system by extending at least one claw or barb-like structure from the self-propelling cardiac stimulation device to penetratingly engage the wall of the vascular system.