METHOD OF PREPARING A SWALLOWABLE CAPSULE COMPRISING A SENSOR

• US 20110017612A1
• Filed: 03/24/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Progenity, Inc. (Athyrium Capital Management LP)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Shimizu, Jeff, Dijksman, Johan Frederik, Pierik, Anke, Pardoel, Michel Gerardus, Van Der Made, Petrus Leonardus Adrianus, De Jongh, Frits Tobi, Kleibeuker, Johan Gerard, Rensen, Judith Margreet
• Granted Patent: US 8,990,018 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 205/799
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes

Abstract

The inventions relates to a kit comprising a swallowable capsule (1, 45) with a potentiometric sensor (3), such as a pH sensor, with an unfilled electrolyte cell (31). The kit further includes a separate container (46) containing a liquid electrolyte. The kit can, e.g., be packed in a blister package. After unpacking the capsule the electrolyte cell (31) is filled with the electrolyte.

Claims

1. Kit comprising a capsule (1, 45) comprising a potentiometric sensor (3) with an unfilled electrolyte cell (31) wherein the kit further comprises a separate container (46) containing a liquid electrolyte.

2. Kit according to claim 1 wherein the sensor (3) is a pH sensor.

3. Kit according to claim 1 wherein the kit further comprises one or more containers (47) comprising buffer liquids for calibration.

4. Kit according to claim 1 wherein the capsule, and the electrolyte container are separately packed in a single blister packing (44).

9. Start-up station (40) for use in a method according to claim 4 wherein the start-up station comprises at least two openings for receiving a capsule, wherein at least one of the openings (41) is within the scope of electro-inductive control circuitry for activating the capsule and at least one of the openings (42) is a hole for containing the liquid electrolyte, the hole being dimensioned to receive the capsule leaving one or more venting openings free.

10. Start-up station according to claim 9 wherein the electrolyte filled hole (42) forms the piston chamber of a piston (49) opposite the open end of the hole, the open end being provided with a sealing ring (48).

11. Start-up station according to claim 10 wherein the station comprises one or more further holes (43) at least partly filled with respective buffer liquids.

5. Method of preparing a swallowable capsule (1, 45) comprising a potentiometric sensor (3) comprising an electrolyte cell (31) wherein the capsule is packed separately from an electrolyte and wherein after unpacking the capsule the electrolyte cell (31) is filled with the electrolyte.

6. Method according to claim 5 wherein after filling the electrolyte cell a start up station (40) activates the capsule.

7. Method according to claim 6 wherein after filling the capsule is calibrated by contacting the electrolyte in the electrolyte cell (31) with a buffer liquid.

8. Method according to claim 7 wherein the calibration step is repeated for one or more additional buffer liquids.