Lumen-traveling biological interface device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lumen-traveling device, comprising:
- a propelling mechanism capable of producing directional movement of the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen by producing relative extension and retraction of at least two lumen-wall-engaging structures with respect to each other in combination with alternate engagement and disengagement of at least one wall of the body lumen;
a steering mechanism capable of modifying a direction of movement of the lumen-traveling device;
a structural element configured to at least intermittently permit the movement of fluid through the lumen-traveling device;
at least one electromagnetic transducer configured for at least one of producing an output signal representative of a bioelectromagnetic signal sensed from a target tissue, the bioelectromagnetic signal generated by a biological signal source in the target tissue, and delivering a non-ablative electromagnetic stimulus to the target tissue; and
at least one of a signal processing portion capable of processing the output signal from the electromagnetic transducer and a stimulus source capable of producing the electromagnetic stimulus for delivery to the target tissue with the electromagnetic transducer.
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Abstract
Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.
521 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A lumen-traveling device, comprising:
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a propelling mechanism capable of producing directional movement of the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen by producing relative extension and retraction of at least two lumen-wall-engaging structures with respect to each other in combination with alternate engagement and disengagement of at least one wall of the body lumen; a steering mechanism capable of modifying a direction of movement of the lumen-traveling device; a structural element configured to at least intermittently permit the movement of fluid through the lumen-traveling device; at least one electromagnetic transducer configured for at least one of producing an output signal representative of a bioelectromagnetic signal sensed from a target tissue, the bioelectromagnetic signal generated by a biological signal source in the target tissue, and delivering a non-ablative electromagnetic stimulus to the target tissue; and at least one of a signal processing portion capable of processing the output signal from the electromagnetic transducer and a stimulus source capable of producing the electromagnetic stimulus for delivery to the target tissue with the electromagnetic transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A lumen-traveling device, comprising:
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a propelling mechanism capable of producing directional movement of the lumen-traveling device through a body lumen by producing relative extension and retraction of at least two lumen-wall-engaging structures with respect to each other in combination with alternate engagement and disengagement of at least one wall of the body lumen; at least one structural element configured to at least intermittently permit the movement of fluid through the lumen-traveling device; a steering mechanism capable of modifying a direction of movement of the lumen-traveling device; at least one electromagnetic transducer configured for at least one of producing an output signal representative of a bioelectromagnetic signal sensed from a target tissue, the bioelectromagnetic signal generated by a biological signal source in the target tissue, and delivering a non-ablative electromagnetic stimulus to the target tissue; at least one of a signal processing portion capable of processing the output signal from the electromagnetic transducer and a stimulus source capable of producing the electromagnetic stimulus for delivery to the target tissue with the electromagnetic transducer; and a sensor capable of sensing a local condition and generating a sense signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification