This invention relates to an ingestible drug delivery device configured for wireless communication with other ingestible drug delivery devices.

Transient molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, are important signals and mediators of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because these molecules may be short-lived in the body, they are difficult to detect. To track these reactive molecules in the GI tract, a miniaturized device has been developed that integrates genetically engineered probiotic biosensors with a custom-designed photodetector and readout chip. Leveraging the molecular specificity of living sensors, bacteria were genetically encoded to respond to IBD-associated molecules by luminescing. Low-power electronic readout circuits (e.g., using nanowatt power) integrated into the device convert the light from just 1 μL of bacterial culture into a wireless signal. Biosensor monitoring was demonstrated in the GI tract of small and large animal models and integration of all components into a sub-1.4 cm.sup.3 ingestible form factor capable of supporting wireless communication. The wireless detection of short-lived, disease-associated molecules may support earlier diagnosis of disease than is currently possible, more accurate tracking of disease progression, and more timely communication between patient and their care team supporting remote personalized care.

A method for treating a human subject suffering from a gastrointestinal disorder using a non-dissolvable ingestible capsule, the method including providing the non-dissolvable ingestible capsule to the subject, and subsequently, ingesting the non-dissolvable ingestible capsule by the subject, wherein passage of the non-dissolvable ingestible capsule through the gastrointestinal tract of the subject treats the gastrointestinal disorder, and wherein the non-dissolvable ingestible capsule may be at least one of: a non-vibrating capsule, a capsule that is devoid of any electronic components, and a capsule that is devoid of any mechanical moving components.

A tracer detection device includes an enclosed body, and a plurality of tracer sensors, a battery, a memory, and a transmitter, each disposed within the enclosed body. The plurality of tracer sensors is configured to detect measurement values at a surface and underneath the surface of a gastrointestinal tract. The battery is configured to power the plurality of tracer sensors. The memory is configured to receive measurement values detected by the plurality of tracer sensors. The transmitter is configured to transmit measurement values detected by the plurality of tracer sensors to an external device after the enclosed body has passed through the gastrointestinal tract. The enclosed body includes a steering feature that ensures the enclosed body is oriented in an intended direction. The plurality of tracer sensors triggers release of a drug. The plurality of tracer sensors estimate distances to gastrointestinal walls for normalizing signals.

A gastrointestinal treatment system including a gastrointestinal capsule adapted to treat a subject following ingestion of the gastrointestinal capsule. The gastrointestinal capsule includes: (a) a housing; (b) a vibrating agitator, powered by the battery, the vibrating agitator adapted such that, in a first vibrating mode of operation, the housing exerts vibrations on an environment surrounding the capsule; (c) a power supply disposed within the housing and adapted to power the vibrating agitator; and (d) a controller adapted, in response to receipt of an activation input, to activate the vibrating agitator to operate in the first vibrating mode of operation at at least one predetermined time of day. The system and method may be used to treat an ailment of the gastrointestinal tract and/or to mitigate at least one symptom of jetlag in a subject travelling from an origin location to a destination location.

A gastrointestinal treatment system including a gastrointestinal capsule adapted to treat a subject following ingestion of the gastrointestinal capsule. The gastrointestinal capsule includes: (a) a housing; (b) a vibrating agitator, powered by the battery, the vibrating agitator adapted such that, in a first vibrating mode of operation, the housing exerts vibrations on an environment surrounding the capsule; (c) a power supply disposed within the housing and adapted to power the vibrating agitator; and (d) a controller adapted, in response to receipt of an activation input, to activate the vibrating agitator to operate in the first vibrating mode of operation at at least one predetermined time of day. The system and method may be used to treat an ailment of the gastrointestinal tract and/or to mitigate at least one symptom of jetlag in a subject travelling from an origin location to a destination location.

An ingestible medical device that includes an ingestible capsule. Within the ingestible capsule is a non-refillable drug dispenser containing a therapeutic agent. The capsule can also include a real-time clock. A controller within the capsule can be operatively connected to the drug dispenser and can include a memory module and a processor operable to execute a software application stored on the memory module to control the operation of the drug dispenser to administer the therapeutic agent according to a real-time schedule measured via the real-time clock. The ingestible medical device can also include an iontophoretic circuit or system for drug delivery as well as physiological sensors to detect the occurrence or worsening of a medical condition.

The present invention describes an electromagnetically positioning system, which can measure a position and orientation of a remote object in an isolated targeted examination area with time. Specifically, the remote object is a remote miniaturized examination device. During the location process, both the electromagnetically positioning system and the remote miniaturized examination device can have expected or unexpected, controlled and can-not-be-controlled movement. By implementing the electromagnetically positioning system, disclosed herein, position and orientation information of the remote miniaturized examination device can be linked with time, any information collected by the remote miniaturized examination device, for example, the photo images collected, can be associated kinetically with time and positioning information of the examination device, when the remote miniaturized examination device travels inside an isolated target examination area.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an ingestible medication device is a self-contained electronic device that stores an active agent, and that controls release of the active agent using an on board processor. The ingestible medication device embodies one or more ingestible device identifiers, including personal identifiers and active agent identifiers, which are compared with external device identifiers to determine whether to release the active agent. A method for managing an ingestible medication device detects proximity to a limited range, RFID-enabled patient wristband, indicating that the wristband is worn by the patient that ingested the ingestible medication device. Various methods enable a nurse to track medication information to monitor compliance with medication regimen and dosage information. Other methods track an ingestible medication device selected for filling a prescription at a pharmacy of the health care provider, including transfer to a caregiver station using a transport cart.

Transbody communication systems employing communication channels are provided. Various aspects include, for example, an in vivo transmitter to transmit an encoded signal; a transbody functionality module to facilitate communication of the encoded signal; and a receiver to receive the encoded signal. Methods and apparatus are also provided.