Ingestible device
First Claim
1. An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, comprisingan openable reservoir, for the substance, tat is sealable against leakage of the substance;
- an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source, operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator from the energy source; and
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range, the receiver including an air core having coiled therearound a wire;
characterised in that the coiled wire lies on or is embedded in an outer wall of the device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen location in the GI tract of a mammal includes a receiver of electromagnetic radiation for powering an openable part of the device to an opened position for dispensing of the substance. The receiver includes a coiled wire that couples the energy field, the wire having an air or ferrite core.
In a further embodiment the invention includes an apparatus for generating the electromagnetic radiation, the apparatus including one or more pairs of field coils supported in a housing.
The device optionally includes a latch defined by a heating resistor and a fusible restraint. The device may also include a flexible member that may serve one or both the functions of activating a transmitter circuit to indicate dispensing of the substance; and restraining of a piston used for expelling the substance.
459 Citations
116 Claims
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1. An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, comprising
an openable reservoir, for the substance, tat is sealable against leakage of the substance; -
an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source, operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator from the energy source; and
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range, the receiver including an air core having coiled therearound a wire;
characterised in that the coiled wire lies on or is embedded in an outer wall of the device.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, comprising
an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance; -
an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source, operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator from the energy source; and
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range, the device including a ferrite core having coiled therearound a wire for coupling received electromagnetic radiation to the releasable latch, characterised in that the device comprises an elongate, hollow housing, the ferrite core being elongate with its longitudinal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hollow housing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of operating an ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, causing a mammal to ingest an ingestible device comprising
an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance; -
an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source, operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator from the energy source; and
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range;
the receiver being capable of extracting energy from an oscillating magnetic field and the method comprising;
at a chosen time, generating at least one axial, oscillating magnetic field and directing the field at the abdomen of the mammal whereby the receiver intercepts the said field and triggers the latch to cause opening of the reservoir; and
simultaneously inhibiting the generation of long wave radio waves and short wave electrostatic radiation in the vicinity of the said abdomen. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, comprising
an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance; -
an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source, operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator mechanism from the energy source;
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range; and
a transmitter of electromagnetic radiation for transmitting a signal indicative of operation of the device, the said reservoir including an exit aperture, for the substance, closed by a closure member that is sealingly retained relative to the aperture, the exit aperture being openable on operation of the actuator mechanism;
wherein;
(i) the latch is thermally actuated;
(ii) the energy source is held in a potential energy state until the latch operates; and
(iii) the device includes a heater for heating the latch whereby, on the receiver detecting the said radiation the receiver operates to power the heater and thereby release the latch, permitting expulsion of the substance from the reservoir;
characterised in that;
the device also includes a restraint operable to limit operation of the actuator mechanism; and
in that, on release of the latch, the restraint operates a switch to activate the transmitter for transmission of a said signal.- View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
the actuator mechanism includes a moveable member moveable under power of kinetic energy from the energy source to promote expulsion of the substance from the reservoir;
the restraint includes a flexible member interconnecting the moveable member and an anchorage fixed relative to the remainder of the device; and
the switch includes a breakable, electrically conductive member, the flexible member and the breakable member being mutually engageable whereby on movement of the moveable member sufficiently partly or completely to expel or initiate expulsion of the substance from the reservoir the flexible member engages and breaks the breakable member to operate the switch.
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56. A device according to claim 54 wherein the actuator mechanism includes a piston moveable under power from the energy source for compressing the substance in the reservoir to promote its expulsion therefrom.
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57. A device according to claim 54 wherein the transmitter includes a resonant circuit connectable to draw power from the receiver;
- and the breakable member is an electrical short that electrically isolates the resonant circuit from the receiver until the flexible member breaks the breakable member.
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58. A device according to claim 54 wherein the length of the flexible member is such as to limit the travel of the moveable member to a chosen maximum.
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59. A device according to claim 54 wherein the restraint and the switch are so dimensioned and/or located that the restraint operates the switch at a time corresponding to a predetermined amount of movement of the moveable member.
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60. A device according to claim 54 including a retainer for retaining moveable components within the device.
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61. A device according to claim 60 wherein the retainer includes a rib that reduces the cross sectional area of the hollow interior of the device in the vicinity of an opening therein.
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62. A device according to claim 54, the reservoir of which includes a charge of liquid, powdered or solid substance or a suspension or solution for discharge into the GI tract of a mammal.
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63. A device according to claim 54, including a radioisotope tag generating radiation that is detectable for indicating the location of the device in the GI tract of a mammal.
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64. An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, comprising
an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance; -
an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source, operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator from the energy source; and
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range;
the energy source including a compressed spring capable of acting on the actuator mechanism the expansion of which is initiatable by the latch and the work of the expansion of which causes operation of the actuator mechanism, characterised in that the spring, in its uncompressed state, has a minimum helical angle of 15°
.- View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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76. An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, comprising
an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance; -
an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source, operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator from the energy source; and
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range;
the energy source including a compressed spring capable of acting on the actuator mechanism the expansion of which is initiatable by the latch and the work of the expansion of which causes operation of the actuator mechanism, characterised in that the spring includes a pair of wires each coiled in loops to define a pair of hollow cylinder-like shapes, a first said cylinder-like shape being of a greater internal diameter than the outer diameter of the second said cylinder-like shape and the first cylinder-like shape encircling the second cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88)
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89. An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, comprising
an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance; -
an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source, operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator from the energy source; and
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range;
the energy source including a compressed spring the expansion of which is initiatable by the latch and the work of the expansion of which causes operation of the actuator mechanism, characterised in that the spring comprises a stack of resiliently deformable discs, the periphery of each disc having formed therein a series of waves, the waves of respective said discs connecting such that the peak of each wave contacts the trough of a wave of an adjacent said disc. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99)
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100. An ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, comprising:
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an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance;
an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source, operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator from the energy source;
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range; and
a transmitter of electromagnetic radiation for transmitting a signal indicative of operation of the device;
the said reservoir including an exit aperture, for the substance, closed by a closure member that is sealingly retained relative to the aperture, the exit aperture being openable on operation of the actuator mechanism;
wherein(i) the latch is thermally actuated;
(ii) the energy source is held in a potential energy state by the latch until the latch operates; and
(iii) the device includes a heater for heating the latch whereby, on the receiver-detecting the said radiation the receiver operates to power the heater and thereby release the latch, permitting expulsion of the substance from the reservoir;
characterised in that the device also includes(a) a restraint operable to limit operation of the actuator mechanism;
(b) a switch for switchably operating the transmitter; and
(c) a switch member operatively interconnecting the actuator mechanism and the switch such that operation of the actuator mechanism causes the switch member to operate the said switch. - View Dependent Claims (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109)
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110. A method of operating an ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, the device including an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance;
- an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source that is operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator mechanism from the, energy source;
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range; and
a transmitter of electromagnetic radiation for transmitting a signal indicative of operation of the device, the said reservoir including an exit aperture, for the substance, that is initially closed by a closure member that is sealingly retained relative to the aperture, the exit aperture being openable on operation of the actuator mechanism, the method comprising the steps of charging the reservoir with a said substance;
setting the latch;
causing ingestion of the device by a human or animal; and
causing the receiver to detect electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined characteristic range, thereby causing expulsion of the substance from the reservoir via the exit aperture, the method including the steps of causing expansion from an initial, compressed state a helical spring defining the said energy source and having, in its uncompressed state, a minimum helical angle of 15°
. - View Dependent Claims (111, 112, 113, 114)
- an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
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115. A method of operating an ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, the device including an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance;
- an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source that is operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator mechanism from the energy source;
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range; and
a transmitter of electromagnetic radiation for transmitting a signal indicative of operation of the device, the said reservoir including an exit aperture, for the substance, that is initially closed by a closure member that is sealingly retained relative to the aperture, the exit aperture being openable on operation of the actuator mechanism, the method comprising the steps of charging the reservoir with a said substance;
setting the latch;
causing ingestion of the device by a human or animal; and
causing the receiver to detect electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined characteristic range, thereby causing expulsion of the substance from the reservoir via the exit aperture, the method including the steps of causing expansion from an initial, compressed state a spring, that defines the said energy source, including a pair of wires each coiled in loops to define a pair of cylinder-like shapes, a first said cylinder-like shape being of a greater internal diameter than the outer diameter of the second said cylinder-like shape and the first cylinder-like shape encircling the second cylinder.
- an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
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116. A method of operating an ingestible device for delivering a substance to a chosen or identifiable location in the alimentary canal of a human or animal, the device including an openable reservoir, for the substance, that is sealable against leakage of the substance;
- an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
an energy source that is operatively connected for powering the actuator mechanism;
a releasable latch for controllably switching the application of power to the actuator mechanism from the energy source;
a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, for operating the latch when the receiver detects radiation within a predetermined characteristic range; and
a transmitter of electromagnetic radiation for transmitting a signal indicative of operation of the device, the said reservoir including an exit aperture, for the substance, that is initially closed by a closure member that is sealingly retained relative to the aperture, the exit aperture being openable on operation of the actuator mechanism, the method comprising the steps of charging the reservoir with a said substance;
setting the latch;
causing ingestion of the device by a human or animal; and
causing the receiver to detect electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined characteristic range, thereby causing expulsion of the substance from the reservoir via the exit aperture, the method including the steps of causing expansion from an initial, compressed state a spring, that defines the said energy source, including a stack of resiliently deformable discs, the periphery of each disc having formed therein a series of waves, the waves of respective said discs connecting such that the peak of each wave contacts the trough of a wave of an adjacent said disc.
- an actuator mechanism for opening the reservoir;
Specification