Endoscopic capsule
First Claim
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1. An endoscopic capsule comprising:
- a biocompatible capsule housing having a size and shape for movement through the gastrointestinal tract of a subject;
a sensor apparatus inside said housing that detects medical information;
a sensor located at an exterior of said housing, that is exposed to an interior of the gastrointestinal tract, and communicating with said sensor apparatus, said sensor comprising a first electrode made of a noble metal, which cannot be attacked by acid; and
a second electrode made of silver with a silver chloride layer that is exposed to said interior;
said sensor apparatus comprising a voltage source connected between said first electrode and said second electrode that produces an electric voltage between said first electrode and said second electrode with said first electrode operated as a reference electrode and said second electrode operated as a measurement electrode; and
said sensor apparatus comprising a detector that detects a change in an electrical variable between said first electrode and said second electrode when ammonia is present in said interior between said first electrode and said second electrode, by said silver chloride layer participating in a chemical reaction with said ammonia.
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Abstract
An endoscopic capsule has a biocompatible capsule housing that contains at least one sensor device for acquiring medical data. The sensor is arranged on an outer surface of the housing, and has a first electrode produced of an acid-resistant noble metal, and a second electrode produced of silver. An electrical voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, and a change in an electrical variable is measured between the first and second electrodes when ammonia is present. The endoscopic capsule allows screening of gastric acid and the tissue of the stomach lining for Helicobacter pylori in a manner that is gentle for the patient.
19 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An endoscopic capsule comprising:
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a biocompatible capsule housing having a size and shape for movement through the gastrointestinal tract of a subject; a sensor apparatus inside said housing that detects medical information; a sensor located at an exterior of said housing, that is exposed to an interior of the gastrointestinal tract, and communicating with said sensor apparatus, said sensor comprising a first electrode made of a noble metal, which cannot be attacked by acid; and
a second electrode made of silver with a silver chloride layer that is exposed to said interior;said sensor apparatus comprising a voltage source connected between said first electrode and said second electrode that produces an electric voltage between said first electrode and said second electrode with said first electrode operated as a reference electrode and said second electrode operated as a measurement electrode; and said sensor apparatus comprising a detector that detects a change in an electrical variable between said first electrode and said second electrode when ammonia is present in said interior between said first electrode and said second electrode, by said silver chloride layer participating in a chemical reaction with said ammonia. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification