Ingestible devices for measuring physiological parameters
First Claim
1. An ingestible apparatus for producing and processing physiological signals, the ingestible apparatus comprising:
- a physiological transducer circuit configured to sense physiological signals representative of a physiological parameter measured from within a body of a living entity;
a processor, responsive to the physiological transducer circuit, that is configured to process the physiological signals to produce processed signals;
a transmitter configured to transmit the processed signals during transmission intervals which are alternated with idle intervals;
a capacitor-based circuit, including at least one capacitor, configured to accumulate sufficient charge during one of the idle intervals to supply power to the transmitter during one of the transmission intervals;
a power supply; and
startup circuitry responsive to an external RF signal configured to permit flow of charge from the power supply to the capacitor-based circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ingestible apparatus produces and processes physiological signals representative of a physiological parameter. The apparatus measures the physiological parameter from within the body of a living entity. The apparatus includes a physiological transducer circuit to sense the physiological signals, a processor to process the physiological signals in response to the physiological transducer circuit, and a transmitter that transmits the processed signals during transmission intervals which are alternated with idle intervals. The apparatus further includes a capacitor-based circuit, including at least one capacitor, to accumulate sufficient charge during one of the idle intervals to supply power to the transmitter during one of the transmission intervals.
22 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An ingestible apparatus for producing and processing physiological signals, the ingestible apparatus comprising:
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a physiological transducer circuit configured to sense physiological signals representative of a physiological parameter measured from within a body of a living entity; a processor, responsive to the physiological transducer circuit, that is configured to process the physiological signals to produce processed signals; a transmitter configured to transmit the processed signals during transmission intervals which are alternated with idle intervals; a capacitor-based circuit, including at least one capacitor, configured to accumulate sufficient charge during one of the idle intervals to supply power to the transmitter during one of the transmission intervals; a power supply; and startup circuitry responsive to an external RF signal configured to permit flow of charge from the power supply to the capacitor-based circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for producing and communicating a physiological parameter measured from within a body of a living entity using an ingestible apparatus that includes a physiological transducer circuit that senses physiological signals representative of the physiological parameter, a processor that produces and processes the physiological signals, a transmitter, and a capacitor-based circuit, the method comprising:
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sensing the physiological signals by measuring the physiological parameter from within the body of the living entity; processing the physiological signals to produce processed signals; powering the transmitter and transmitting the processed signals during transmission intervals during which the transmitter is powered by the capacitor-based circuit; disabling the transmitter and charging the capacitor-based circuit responsive to an external RF signal during idle intervals that are alternated with the transmission intervals, the capacitor-based circuit accumulating sufficient charge from a power supply during one of the idle intervals to supply power to the transmitter during one of the transmission intervals; and under control of the processor, shutting down the apparatus and returning it to a storage mode in which power consumption is fully stopped. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A system for producing and processing physiological signals, the system comprising:
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a receiver unit; and at least one ingestible apparatus that further comprises; a physiological transducer circuit configured to sense physiological signals representative of a physiological parameter measured from within a body of a living entity; a processor, responsive to the physiological transducer circuit, that is configured to process the physiological signals to produce processed signals; a transmitter configured to transmit the processed signals during transmission intervals which are alternated with idle intervals; and a capacitor-based circuit, including at least one capacitor, configured to accumulate sufficient charge during one of the idle intervals to supply power to the transmitter during one of the transmission intervals; a power supply; and startup circuitry responsive to an external RF signal arranged to permit flow of charge from the power supply to the capacitor-based circuit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification