DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE ACTIVATION OF IN VIVO SENSORS

• US 20100324381A1
• Filed: 08/11/2010
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: FRISCH, Mordechsi, DAVIDSON, Tal, GLUKHOVSKY, Arkady, MERON, Gavriel
• Granted Patent: US 8,216,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/302
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH

Abstract

A device, system and method for selectively activating or altering the operational mode of an autonomous in vivo device in response to in vivo conditions. The system may include an in vivo sensing device with a condition tester, and a controller. The in vivo sensing device may be in communication with an external receiver. The condition tester may include at least one layer of dissolvable material coated on at least a portion of the autonomous device. The layer may dissolve when exposed to a specific material of a specified site along the GI tract. A sensor may be exposed when the layer dissolves or a switch autonomous activated when the layer dissolves

Claims

1. A system for in-vivo sensing at a specified site along the GI tract, the system comprising:

a capsule;

a condition tester to test an in-vivo condition, the condition tester comprising at least one layer of dissolvable material coated on at least a portion of the capsule, wherein the at least one layer dissolves when exposed to a specific material of a specified site along the GI tract; and

a component selected from the group consisting of;

a sensor which is exposed when the layer dissolves and a switch which is activated when the layer dissolves.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one layer comprises pH sensitive dissolvable material.

3. The system according to claim 1, comprising a second sensor and a second layer of dissolvable material, wherein the at least one layer of dissolvable material coats the first sensor, and the second layer of dissolvable material coats the second sensor.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first layer dissolves when exposed to a different material than the material in response to which the second layer dissolves.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first layer dissolves at a different specified site along the GI tract than the specified site at which the second layer dissolves.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first and second layers comprise different substances that dissolve at different rates.

7. The system according to claim 1, comprising an image sensor, wherein the switch turns on the image sensor.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of an encapsulated drug compartment and a sampling inlet, the component covered by the at least one layer of dissolvable material.

9. A method for in-vivo sensing at a specified site along the GI tract, the method comprising:

testing an in-vivo condition using a condition tester, the condition tester comprising at least one layer of dissolvable material coated on at least a portion of a capsule;

dissolving the at least one layer by exposing the layer to a specific material of a specified site along the GI tract; and

exposing a sensor when the layer dissolves.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein dissolving the at least one layer comprises exposing the layer to an environment with a specific pH.

11. The method according to claim 9, comprising coating the first sensor with the at least one layer of dissolvable material and coating a second sensor with a second layer of dissolvable material.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first layer dissolves when exposed to a different material than the material in response to which the second layer dissolves.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first layer dissolves when exposed to a different specified site along the GI tract than the specified site at which the second layer dissolves.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first layer dissolves at a different rate than the rate at which the second layer dissolves.

15. A method for in-vivo sensing at a specified site along the GI tract, the method comprising:

testing an in-vivo condition using a condition tester, the condition tester comprising at least one layer of dissolvable material coated on at least a portion of a capsule;

dissolving the at least one layer by exposing the layer to a specific material of a specified site along the GI tract; and

exposing a switch which is activated when the layer dissolves.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein dissolving the at least one layer comprises exposing the layer to an environment with a specific pH.

17. The method according to claim 15, comprising coating a first sensor with the at least one layer of dissolvable material and coating a second sensor with a second layer of dissolvable material.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first layer dissolves when exposed to a different material than the material in response to which the second layer dissolves.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first layer dissolves when exposed to a different specified site along the GI tract than the specified site at which the second layer dissolves.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first layer dissolves at a different rate than the rate at which the second layer dissolves.