Devices and methods for detecting an analyte in salivary fluid

• US 20110054938A1
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hood, Leroy E., Sweeney, Elizabeth A., Tegreene, Clarence T., Jung, Edward K.Y., Wood, Lowell L. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,898,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• 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 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/14 Beverages
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/163333 Organic [e.g., chemical warfare agents, insecticides, etc.]

Abstract

Methods and systems are described herein for detecting one or more analyte in salivary fluid. Systems include: a discrete oral component configured for complete enclosure in a human oral cavity; at least one sensor configured to detect one or more analyte in salivary fluid; and an external device including a port configured for communication with the discrete oral component. Methods include: detecting one or more analyte within salivary fluid with at least one sensor integral to a discrete oral component, wherein the discrete oral component is configured to be completely enclosed in the oral cavity and includes one or more flavorant; and communicating information from the discrete oral component to at least one external device.

Claims

1. A system for detecting one or more analyte in salivary fluid, comprising:

a discrete oral component configured for complete enclosure in a human oral cavity;

at least one sensor configured to detect one or more analyte in salivary fluid; and

an external device including a port configured for communication with the discrete oral component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the discrete oral component is at least in part substantially rigid.

4. The system of claim 1, comprising:

at least one flavorant, wherein the at least one flavorant is configured to change chemical composition during contact with salivary fluid relative to at least one of time, duration of physical pressure, presence of a target material, or presence of an amount of a target material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the discrete oral component comprises:

at least one signaling element configured to signal contact with salivary fluid relative to at least one of time, presence of a target material, or presence of an amount of a target material.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the discrete oral component includes at least one selective medium.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the discrete oral component is in a dehydrated form prior to contact with salivary fluid.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the discrete oral component includes at least one gel.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the discrete oral component is a module configured for removal and replacement.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the discrete oral component includes a transmucosal sampling mechanism.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the discrete oral component comprises:

at least one recognition element.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the discrete oral component is configured to recognize one or more substance.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the discrete oral component comprises:

at least one compound configured to be physiologically incorporated into a body of a user; and

at least one matrix configured to retain the at least one compound until a predetermined condition.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the discrete oral component comprises:

at least one reservoir configured to release at least one medicinal agent.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is integral to the discrete oral component.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is integral to the external device.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one biosensor.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one chemical sensor.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to be directly responsive to at least one of the one or more analyte.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to be indirectly responsive to at least one of the one or more analyte.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the external device is configured to communicate with a network.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more analyte comprises:

an indicator of a physiological state.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more analyte comprises:

at least one metabolite.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein the system constitutes at least a portion of a network.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the network includes as a conductive medium at least a part of a mammalian body.

41. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to collect and analyze multiple data points in a relative fashion.

42. The system of claim 1, comprising:

a user interface.

43. The system of claim 1, comprising:

one or more sensing device.

45. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a digital processing unit.

46. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one power source.

47. The system of claim 1, comprising:

an instrument for placement and retrieval of the discrete oral component.

3. (canceled)

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30-31. -31. (canceled)

33-34. -34. (canceled)

37-38. -38. (canceled)

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48. (canceled)

49. A method for detecting one or more analyte in salivary fluid comprising:

detecting one or more analyte in salivary fluid with at least one sensor integral to a discrete oral component, wherein the discrete oral component is configured to be completely enclosed in an oral cavity and includes one or more flavorant; and

communicating information from the discrete oral component to at least one external device.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

collecting a sample of salivary fluid with the discrete oral component.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

providing one or more flavorant configured to be responsive to a physical condition of the discrete oral component.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

binding one or more analyte with a recognition element.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

sequestering at least one of the one or more analyte with the discrete oral component.

56. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

transmucosal sampling.

57. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

detecting at least one metabolite.

59. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

detecting one or more analyte within the salivary fluid with at least one biosensor.

60. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

detecting one or more analyte within the salivary fluid with at least one chemical sensor.

61. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

detecting one or more analyte directly.

62. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

detecting one or more analyte indirectly.

63. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

detecting one or more metabolite of the one or more analyte.

64. The method of claim 49, wherein detecting one or more analyte comprises:

detecting one or more taggant.

65. The method of claim 49, comprising:

providing an agent with the discrete oral component, wherein the agent is configured to be physiologically incorporated.

67. The method of claim 49, comprising:

collecting and storing multiple results from the at least one sensor.

68. The method of claim 49, comprising:

processing the information from the at least one sensor into at least one result;

associating the at least one result with a physiologic state; and

communicating the at least one result and an association to at least one system user.

69. The method of claim 49, comprising:

communicating at least one result to at least one system user.

70. The method of claim 49, comprising:

storing the information from the at least one sensor, detected at multiple time points from a single individual.

71. The method of claim 49, comprising:

collecting the salivary fluid with the discrete oral component; and

analyzing collected salivary fluid with the at least one sensor.

73. The method of claim 49, comprising:

communicating a result from an external communication device to one or more network;

receiving information associated with the result from at least one of the one or more network; and

categorizing the result in relation to the information.

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75. A method for providing information relating to a health history for at least one individual comprising:

sampling salivary fluid at the first time point from the at least one individual utilizing a flavored, discrete oral component;

sensing, with at least one sensor, one or more analyte in salivary fluid from at least one individual at a first time point;

processing at least a subset of information from the at least one sensor into at least one first result;

storing the at least one first result in memory; and

indicating the at least one first result to at least one system user.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein indicating the at least one first result to at least one system user comprises:

communicating the at least one first result to at least one system user through at least one network.

78. The method of claim 75, comprising:

communicating at least a subset of information from the at least one sensor regarding at least one of the one or more analyte to an external device.

79. The method of claim 75, comprising:

sensing, with at least one sensor, presence of one or more analyte in salivary fluid from an individual at a second time point;

processing at least a subset of information from the at least one sensor into at least one second result;

processing the at least one first result and the at least one second result into a history;

storing a record of the history; and

indicating at least a subset of the history to at least one system user.

77. (canceled)

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