INGESTIBLE APPARATUS FOR IN VIVO DETECTION

• US 20150182145A1
• Filed: 12/04/2014
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Original Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Inventors: Gazdzinski, Robert F.
• Application Number:
  US14/561,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20150182145A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00006 of control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00016 using wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00029 externally powered, e.g. wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00036 Means for power saving, e.g. sleeping mode
• 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 1/043 for fluorescence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/04 Endoscopic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/11 Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb for measuring pulse A61B5/02 ;A61B5/1038 takes precedence; motion detection to correct for motion artifacts in physiological signals A61B5/721
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 : Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 : Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4255 : Intestines, colon or appendix
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 : combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7225 : Details of analog processing, e.g. isolation amplifier, gain or sensitivity adjustment, filtering, baseline or drift compensation A61B5/30, A61B5/316 take precedence; transformers for specific applications H01F38/00; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 : involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 : using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/037 : Emission tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4258 : for detecting non x-ray radiation, e.g. gamma radiation A61B6/037 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4494 : Means for identifying the diagnostic device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 : in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4245 : involving determining the position of the probe, e.g. with respect to an external reference frame or to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/445 : Details of catheter construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 : Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4488 : the transducer being a phased array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 : Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1726 : the body parameters being measured at, or proximate to, the infusion site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/07 : Proteins
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/10 : with powered movement mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3507 : with implanted devices, e.g. external control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 : using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1042 : Alimentary tract A61M2210/0618 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/145 : using pressurised reservoirs, e.g. pressurised by means of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 : using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/002 : in combination with another treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1005 : with asymmetrical radiation pattern
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1007 : Arrangements or means for the introduction of sources into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1014 : Intracavitary radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/004 : by using forward error control H04L1/0618 takes precedence; coding, decoding or code conversion, for error detection or correction H03M13/00

Abstract

A device which is introduced into the intestinal tract of a living organism and which operates autonomously therein, adapted to detect the presence of one or more target substances within the intestinal tract, such as for example antigens or antibodies produced as a result of an antigen. In one embodiment, the device is swallowable and includes a detection apparatus which provides an opportunity for the target substance(s) to interact with the apparatus and hence indicate the presence of the target substance(s). In one implementation, the detection apparatus includes one or more receptor sites to which the antigen or antibody can bond, the bonding being detectable by a change in an electrical parameter associated with the apparatus.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A probe ingestible by a living being, the probe comprising:

a housing; and

detection apparatus disposed at least partly in communication with a surface of the housing and configured to enable a target substance in an intestinal tract of the living being to interact with the apparatus, the interaction enabling detection of the target substance.

16. The probe of claim 15, wherein the detection apparatus configured to enable a target substance to interact comprises a plurality of receptor sites configured to enable binding of one or more molecules of the target substance thereto;

and

wherein the detection of the target substance comprises;

excretion of the probe by the living being; and

subsequent laboratory analysis of at least part of the detection apparatus to determine the presence of the target substance.

17. The probe of claim 16, wherein the target substance comprises at least one of:

(i) an antigen; and

/or (ii) an antibody generated by the living being in response to the presence of an antigen in the intestinal tract.

18. The probe of claim 15, further comprising circuitry disposed at least partly within the housing and in communication with the detection apparatus;

and

wherein;

the detection apparatus configured to enable a target substance to interact comprises a plurality of receptor sites configured to enable binding of one or more molecules of the target substance thereto; and

the detection of the target substance comprises detection of a variation of at least one electrical or chemical property associated with the detection apparatus while the probe is in situ.

19. The probe of claim 18, wherein the detection of a variation comprises detection of a variation of at least one of (i) an electrical conductivity;

and/or (ii) an electrical resistance or resistivity.

20. The probe of claim 19, wherein the detection apparatus comprises at least one of a (i) a diffusive membrane;

and/or (ii) a bio-electronic sensing apparatus.

21. The probe of claim 20, wherein the target substance comprises at least one of:

(i) an antigen; and

/or (ii) an antibody generated by the living being in response to the presence of an antigen in the intestinal tract.

22. The probe of claim 15, wherein:

the target substance comprises at least one of;

(i) an antigen; and

/or (ii) an antibody generated by the living being in response to the presence of an antigen in the intestinal tract; and

the detection apparatus comprises an apparatus configured to detect a change in at least one of (i) an electrical conductivity; and

/or (ii) an electrical resistance or resistivity, upon exposure to the target substance.

23. The probe of claim 22, further comprising:

circuitry disposed at least partly within the housing and in communication with the detection apparatus; and

a wireless interface in communication with the circuitry and configured to at least wirelessly transmit data to an apparatus external to the living being while the probe is disposed within an intestinal tract of the living being, the transmitted data relating to detection of the target substance by the detection apparatus.

24. The probe of claim 23, further comprising cover apparatus configured to selectively cover at least a portion of the detection apparatus during at least one of (i) a period prior to the interaction, and/or (ii) a period after the interaction;

wherein;

the wireless interface is configured to receive a command generated external to the living being;

and the circuitry is configured to, based at least on receipt of the command, cause the cover apparatus to selectively cover or uncover the detection apparatus while the probe is in situ.

25. The probe of claim 15, further comprising:

circuitry disposed at least partly within the housing and in communication with the detection apparatus; and

a wireless interface in communication with the circuitry and configured to at least wirelessly transmit data to an apparatus external to the living being while the probe is disposed within an intestinal tract of the living being, the transmitted data relating to detection of the target substance by the detection apparatus.

26. The probe of claim 15, further comprising cover apparatus configured to cover or uncover at least a portion of the detection apparatus while in situ.

27. The probe of claim 26, further comprising circuitry in signal communication with the cover apparatus, the circuitry configured to selectively actuate the cover apparatus.

28. The probe of claim 27, further comprising a wireless interface in communication with the circuitry and configured to:

(i) wirelessly transmit data to an apparatus external to the living being while the probe is disposed within an intestinal tract of the living being, the transmitted data relating to detection of the target substance by the detection apparatus; and

(ii) receive a command to cause said actuation of said cover apparatus.

29. A probe ingestible by a human being, the probe comprising:

a housing configured in a shape and size that can be swallowed by the human being;

detection apparatus disposed at least partly in communication with a surface of the housing and configured to enable a target substance to interact with the apparatus in an intestinal tract of the human being, and cause generation of at least one signal based on said interaction;

a wireless apparatus capable of at least transmitting radio frequency signals; and

digital processing apparatus in communication with the detection apparatus and the wireless apparatus and configured to cause said wireless apparatus to transmit a radio frequency signal indicative of said interaction to a receiver apparatus disposed external to the human being.

30. The probe of claim 29, further comprising apparatus configured to selectively cover or uncover the detection apparatus while the probe is in the intestinal tract.

31. The probe of claim 29, wherein:

the target substance comprises at least one of;

(i) an antigen; and

/or (ii) an antibody generated by the human being in response to the presence of an antigen in the intestinal tract; and

the detection apparatus comprises an apparatus configured to detect a change in at least one of (i) an electrical conductivity; and

/or (ii) an electrical resistance or resistivity, upon or after said interaction.

32. The probe of claim 29, further comprising:

a reservoir disposed within the housing; and

apparatus controlled by the digital processing apparatus and configured to selectively cause expulsion of at least a portion of an agent in the reservoir to a region exterior to the housing when the probe is within the intestinal tract, the region exterior being within the intestinal tract, such that the released at least portion of the agent is directly applied to at least part of the intestinal tract.

33. The probe of claim 29, further comprising:

a reservoir disposed within the housing; and

apparatus controlled by the digital processing apparatus and configured to selectively cause sample or biopsy of the intestinal tract when the probe is within the intestinal tract, the sample or biopsy causing tissue from the intestinal tract to be disposed within the reservoir.

34. A probe ingestible by a human being, the probe comprising:

a housing;

an electrical power supply;

detection apparatus powered at least in part by the power supply and disposed at least partly within the housing and configured to enable at least one of;

(i) an antigen; and

/or (ii) an antibody generated by the human being in response to the presence of an antigen, that is present in an intestinal tract of the human being, to interact with the detection apparatus;

a wireless apparatus capable of at least transmitting radio frequency signals; and

digital processing apparatus powered at least in part by the power supply and in communication with the detection apparatus and the wireless apparatus, the digital processing apparatus configured to cause said wireless apparatus to transmit a radio frequency signal indicative of said interaction to a receiver apparatus disposed external to the human being.