Communication system using an implantable device
First Claim
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1. An ingestible device to communicate information, the ingestible device comprising:
- a support structure;
a first material physically associated with the support structure; and
a second material physically associated with the support structure at a location different from a location of the first material, wherein the second material is dissimilar from the first material and has a different electrochemical potential such that the first and second materials produce a voltage potential difference as a result of the first and second materials being in contact with an electrically conductive fluid; and
a control device coupled to the first and second materials and powered by the voltage potential difference produced by the first and second materials when the first and second materials are in contact with the electrically conductive fluid, wherein the control device is configured to produce a first current signature comprising first information, which is conducted along a first current path formed by the electrically conductive fluid, the first material, and the second material, and wherein the control device is configured to produce a second current signature which is conducted along a second current path formed by the electrically conductive fluid, the first material, and the second material;
wherein the first information includes programming instructions to program an implantable device.
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Abstract
The system of the present invention includes an implantable device that can detect high and low frequency current signature. The implantable device can communicate with a communication device that includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, the communication device is activated.
845 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An ingestible device to communicate information, the ingestible device comprising:
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a support structure; a first material physically associated with the support structure; and a second material physically associated with the support structure at a location different from a location of the first material, wherein the second material is dissimilar from the first material and has a different electrochemical potential such that the first and second materials produce a voltage potential difference as a result of the first and second materials being in contact with an electrically conductive fluid; and a control device coupled to the first and second materials and powered by the voltage potential difference produced by the first and second materials when the first and second materials are in contact with the electrically conductive fluid, wherein the control device is configured to produce a first current signature comprising first information, which is conducted along a first current path formed by the electrically conductive fluid, the first material, and the second material, and wherein the control device is configured to produce a second current signature which is conducted along a second current path formed by the electrically conductive fluid, the first material, and the second material; wherein the first information includes programming instructions to program an implantable device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An ingestible device to communicate first and second information, the ingestible device comprising:
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a support structure; a first material physically associated with the support structure; and a second material physically associated with the support structure at a location different from a location of the first material, wherein the second material is dissimilar from the first material and has a different electrochemical potential such that the first and second materials produce a voltage potential difference as a result of the first and second materials being in contact with an electrically conductive fluid; a control module coupled to the first and second materials to control the conductance between the first material and the second material, wherein when the first and second materials are in contact with the electrically conductive fluid, the voltage potential difference is to power the control module and cause the control module to produce a first current signature which contains the first information, and wherein the first current signature is conducted along a current path formed by the electrically conductive fluid, the first material, and the second material; and a communication unit coupled to the first and second materials to communicate the second information, wherein when the first and second materials are in contact with the electrically conductive fluid, the voltage potential difference is configured to power the communication unit and cause the communication unit to communicate the second information. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An ingestible device to communicate information, the ingestible device comprising:
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a first material; and a second material dissimilar from the first material and having a different electrochemical potential such that the first and second materials produce a voltage potential difference as a result of the first and second materials being in contact with an electrically conductive fluid; and a control device coupled to the first and second materials and powered by the voltage potential difference produced by the first and second materials when the first and second materials are in contact with the electrically conductive fluid, wherein the control device is configured to produce a first current signature and a second current signature that are conducted along a current path formed by the electrically conductive fluid, the first material, and the second material; wherein the first current signature comprises first information; and wherein the second current signature comprises second information; wherein the first information includes programming instructions to program an implantable device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An ingestible device to communicate information to an implantable device, the ingestible device comprising:
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a first material; and a second material dissimilar from the first material and having a different electrochemical potential such that the first and second materials produce a voltage potential difference as a result of the first and second materials being in contact with an electrically conductive fluid; and a control device coupled to the first and second materials and powered by the voltage potential difference produced by the first and second materials, wherein the control device is configured to produce a first current signature and a second current signature; and wherein the first current signature is a very low current state that maintains an oscillator and the second current signature is a current state at least a factor of ten higher than the very low current state associated with the first current signature.
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Specification