IN-BODY DEVICE WITH VIRTUAL DIPOLE SIGNAL AMPLIFICATION

• US 20090082645A1
• Filed: 09/25/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Otsuka Holdings Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Proteus Biomedical, Inc. (Otsuka Holdings Company Limited)
• Inventors: Holen, Maria Casillas, Hafezi, Hooman, Robertson, Timothy L., Costello, Benedict James
• Granted Patent: US 8,961,412 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/302
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/02 Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/162 Capsule shaped sensor housings, e.g. for swallowing or implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/182 Electrical shielding, e.g. using a Faraday cage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0028 Body tissue as transmission medium, i.e. transmission systems where the medium is the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/028 by thermo-dilution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/16 with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/902 Biological signal amplifier

Abstract

Virtual dipole signal amplification for in-body devices, such as implantable and ingestible devices, is provided. Aspects of the in-body deployable antennas of the invention include antennas configured to go from a first configuration to a second configuration following placement in a living body, e.g., via ingestion or implantation. Embodiments of the in-body devices are configured to emit a detectable signal upon contact with a target physiological site. Also provided are methods of making and using the devices of the invention.

Claims

1. An ingestible event marker comprising an identifier that emits a signal when it contacts a target site, wherein said identifier comprises a first element and a second transmission element having a first actual dipole length and a signal amplification element that produces a virtual dipole length between said first and second transmission elements that is larger than said first actual dipole length.

2. The ingestible event marker according to claim 1, wherein said identifier is activated upon contact with a target site fluid present at a target site.

3. The ingestible event marker according to claim 2, wherein said first virtual dipole length is two or more times larger than said actual dipole length.

4. The ingestible event marker according to claim 3, wherein said first and second signal transmission elements comprise first and second electrodes positioned on opposing sides of a solid support.

5. The ingestible event marker according to claim 4, wherein said solid support comprises an integrated circuit.

6. The ingestible event marker according to claim 4, wherein said first and second opposing electrodes are planar electrodes.

7. The ingestible event marker according to claim 1, wherein said signal amplification element is a planar structure having an outer edge that extends beyond the edge of said first and second transmission elements.

8. The ingestible event marker according to claim 1, wherein said signal amplification element is a two-dimensional signal amplification element.

9. The ingestible event marker according to claim 1, wherein said signal amplification element is a three-dimensional signal amplification element.

10. The ingestible event marker according to claim 1, wherein said composition is an oral formulation.

11. The ingestible event marker according to claim 10, wherein said oral formulation is a solid oral formulation.

12. The ingestible event marker according to claim 11, wherein said solid formulation is a tablet comprising said identifier and a tablet component.

13. The ingestible event marker according to claim 12, wherein said signal amplification element is integral with said tablet component.

14. The ingestible event marker according to claim 12, wherein said signal amplification component consists of said tablet component.

15. The ingestible event marker according to claim 11, wherein said solid formulation is a capsule comprises said identifier and a capsule component.

16. The ingestible event marker according to claim 15, wherein said signal amplification element is integral with said capsule component.

17. The ingestible event marker according to claim 15, wherein said signal amplification component consists of said capsule component.

18. The ingestible event marker according to claim 1, further comprising an active agent stably associated with said signal generation element.

19. The ingestible event marker according to claim 1, further comprising a third signal transmission element positioned so that said ingestible event marker comprises a first actual dipole and a second actual dipole.

20. A system comprising:

(a) an ingestible event marker according to claim 1; and

(b) a receiver for detecting a signal produced by said signal generation element.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein said receiver is an in vivo receiver.

22. The system according claim 20, wherein said receiver is an external receiver.

23. A method comprising:

administering to a subject an ingestible event marker according to claim 1.

24. A kit comprising:

at least one ingestible event marker according to claim 1.

25. The kit according to claim 24, wherein said kit comprises a plurality of said ingestible event markers.

26. The kit according to claim 25, wherein said kit further comprises a receiver.

27. An in-body device comprising a virtual dipole signal amplification element.

28. The in-body device according to claim 27, wherein said in-body device is an implantable device.

29. The in-body device according to claim 27, wherein said in-body device is an ingestible device.