METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING FLUID PROPERTIES, INCLUDING PH
First Claim
1. A fluid sensor system, comprising:
- a sensing coil, said sensing coil having a core and an isolation coating, wherein said sensing coil core is configured for being in substantially filled with a sample fluid;
a signal generator in communication with said sensing coil for applying an alternating current pulse of a predetermined bandwidth to said sensing coil;
a signal receiver in communication with said sensing coil for measuring an electrical reflection produced by said sensing coil relative to said alternating current pulse, wherein said electrical reflection is based upon a property-dependent response of a combination of (i) said sensing coil and (ii) the sample fluid that substantially fills the sensing coil core; and
a data processor for receiving said electrical reflection and for calculating data representative of at least one property of the sample fluid based on said measured electrical reflection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid sensor for use within the gastro-intestinal tract of a human being is disclosed. The sensor includes a sensing coil which is immersible in the sample fluid of the gastro-intestinal tract; a signal generator in electrical with the sensing coil for applying an electrical current pulse to the sensing coil; a signal receiver in communication with the sensing coil for measuring an electrical reflection relative to said electrical current pulse; and a data processor for receiving the electrical reflection and for calculating data representative of at least one property, such as pH of the sample fluid based on the electrical reflection. The fluid sensor can also include a reference coil for calibrating the sensing coil. The sensor coil and reference coil can be encapsulated in a swallowable pill shell. The sensor coil can also function as an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals to/form a remote location.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A fluid sensor system, comprising:
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a sensing coil, said sensing coil having a core and an isolation coating, wherein said sensing coil core is configured for being in substantially filled with a sample fluid; a signal generator in communication with said sensing coil for applying an alternating current pulse of a predetermined bandwidth to said sensing coil; a signal receiver in communication with said sensing coil for measuring an electrical reflection produced by said sensing coil relative to said alternating current pulse, wherein said electrical reflection is based upon a property-dependent response of a combination of (i) said sensing coil and (ii) the sample fluid that substantially fills the sensing coil core; and a data processor for receiving said electrical reflection and for calculating data representative of at least one property of the sample fluid based on said measured electrical reflection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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8. (canceled)
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11. (canceled)
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16. A pH sensor, comprising:
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a sensing coil, said sensing coil having a core and an ion-selective polymer coating, wherein said sensing coil core is configured for being substantially filled with a sample fluid; a transceiver in electrical communication with said sensing coil, wherein said transceiver is configured for applying an alternating current pulse of a predetermined bandwidth to said sensing coil, said transceiver further configured for measuring an electrical reflection produced by said sensing coil relative to said alternating current pulse, wherein said electrical reflection is based upon a property-dependent response of a combination of (i) said sensing coil and (ii) the sample fluid that substantially fills the sensing coil core; and a microprocessor in electrical communication with said transceiver, wherein said microprocessor is configured for calculating data representative of pH of the sample fluid based upon said measured electrical reflection, further wherein said sensing coil, said transceiver, and said microprocessor function together as a frequency responsive analyzer for determining pH of the sample fluid. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. (canceled)
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20. A pH sensor, comprising:
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a sensing coil, said sensing coil having a core and an ion-selective polymer coating, wherein said sensing coil core is configured for being in substantially filled with a sample fluid, said sensing coil further configured for functioning as an antenna for transmitting pH measurements of the sample fluid to a remote location; a transceiver in electrical communication with said sensing coil, wherein said transceiver is configured for applying an alternating current pulse of a predetermined bandwidth to said sensing coil, said transceiver further configured for measuring an electrical reflection produced by said sensing coil relative to said alternating current pulse, wherein said electrical reflection is based upon a property-dependent response of a combination of (i) said sensing coil and (ii) the sample fluid that substantially fills the sensing coil core; and a microprocessor in electrical communication with said transceiver, wherein said microprocessor is configured for calculating data representative of pH of the sample fluid based upon said measured electrical reflection, further wherein said sensing coil, said transceiver, and said microprocessor function together as a frequency responsive analyzer.
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21. A method of measuring pH of a sample fluid using an electronic pill comprising a sensing coil having a core and an ion-selective polymer coating, wherein the core is configured for being substantially filed with the sample fluid, said method comprising the steps of:
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substantially filling the core of said sensing coil with the sample fluid; applying an electrical current pulse of a predetermined bandwidth to said sensing coil; measuring an electrical reflection produced by said sensing coil relative to said electrical current pulse, wherein said electrical reflection is based upon a property-dependent response of a combination of (i) said sensing coil and (ii) the sample fluid that substantially fills the sensing coil core; and calculating data representative of the pH of the sample fluid based on said measured electrical reflection. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification