MEDICAMENT DELIVERY APPARATUS

• US 20100063486A1
• Filed: 09/20/2007
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biora Therapeutics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: De Jongh, Frits Tobi, Pardoel, Michel, Shimizu, Jeff, Dijksman, Johan Frederik, Pierik, Anke, Rensen, Judith Margreet, Zou, Hans
• Granted Patent: US 9,550,050 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/890.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/00 Devices for introducing or retaining media, e.g. remedies, in cavities of the body A61M25/00 takes precedence ; introducing or retaining ophthalmic products into the ocular cavities A61F9/0008
• 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

Abstract

An electronic capsule (100) is provided. The capsule (100) has a discrete drive element (300) comprising: a housing (109), electronics for making the electronic capsule (100) operable, a pumping mechanism (115) for dosing and displacing a substance, a power source (105) for powering the electronic capsule (100) and enabling the electronics and the pumping mechanism (115) to operate, and a locking mechanism (130); and a discrete payload element (200) comprising: a housing (109), a reservoir (210) for storing the substance, one or more openings (250) in the housing (109) for releasing the substance from the reservoir (210) and a locking mechanism (230) for engaging the drive element locking mechanism (130). Engagement of the drive element locking mechanism (130) with the payload element locking mechanism (230) secures the drive element (300) to the payload element (200), thereby making the electronic capsule (100) operable and specific.

Claims

1. An electronic capsule comprising:

a drive element with a housing, control electronics for operating the electronic capsule, a pump for dosing and displacing a substance, a power source operatively associated with the electronic capsule, control electronics and pump, a connector; and

a payload element with a housing, a reservoir for storing a substance, one or more openings in the housing for releasing a substance from the reservoir and a connector for engaging the drive element connector,

wherein engagement of the drive element connector with the payload element connector secures the drive element to the payload element, thereby making the electronic capsule operable and specific.

2. The capsule of claim 1, wherein drive element connector and the payload element connector form a click-type lock.

3. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the drive element connector is an anchoring recess.

4. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the payload element connector is a locking pin.

5. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the housing of payload element further comprises at least one vent opening.

6. The capsule of claim 5, further comprising a semi-permeable membrane which overlies the vent opening and allows for air transport therethrough.

7. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the payload element further comprises a gasketing insert for providing a seal around the reservoir.

8. The capsule of claim 7, wherein the gasketing insert further has weakened areas.

9. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the payload element has two or more separate reservoirs, and wherein the separate reservoirs are each separated by a membrane.

10. The capsule of claim 9, wherein the membrane is collapsible.

11. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising a second discrete payload element having a reservoir for storing a substance, a first connector for attaching the second discrete payload to the drive element and a second connector for attaching the second discrete payload to a first discrete payload.

12. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising sensors for determining the location of the capsule.

13. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising a communication means for enabling the electronic capsule to send and receive commands.

14. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the drive element further comprises a separate and discrete power source housing element, the housing element housing the power source, thereby separating the power source from the other elements of drive element.

15. An electronic capsule comprising:

a discrete drive element having a housing, control electronics for operating the electronic capsule, a pump for dosing and displacing a substance, a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism;

a discrete power element having a housing, a power source for powering the electronic capsule and operatively associated with the control electronics and the pump, and a locking mechanism; and

a discrete payload element having a housing, a reservoir for storing a substance, one or more openings in the housing for releasing a substance from the reservoir and a locking mechanism for engaging the drive element locking mechanism,

wherein engagement of the power element locking mechanism with the drive element first locking mechanism secures the power source housing element to the drive element, and engagement of the drive element second locking mechanism with the payload element locking mechanism secures the drive element to the payload element, said engagement making the electronic capsule operable and specific.

16. The capsule of claim 15, wherein the housing of payload element further comprises at least one vent opening.

17. The capsule of claim 15, further comprising a communication means for enabling the electronic capsule to send and receive commands.

18. The capsule of claim 15, wherein the payload element has two or more separate reservoirs, and wherein the separate reservoirs are each separated by a collapsible membrane.

19. The capsule of claim 15, further comprising a second discrete payload element having a reservoir for storing a substance, a first locking mechanism for attaching the second discrete payload to the drive element and a second locking mechanism for attaching the second discrete payload to a first discrete payload element.

20. The capsule of claim 15, wherein the drive element further comprises a separate and discrete power source housing element, the housing element housing the power source, thereby separating the power source from the other elements of drive element.