Wireless implantable taste system

A system for mimicking a sense of taste in a subject, comprising:

• a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting one or more tastant, said sensor array producing sensor output signals in response to detecting said one or more tastants;
• a processor for processing said sensor output signals into digital encoded information;
• a transmitter for transmitting said digital encoded information transcutaneously into said subject;
• a receiver-stimulator configured to receive said transcutaneously transmitted digital encoded information and generate electrical impulses as a function thereof;
• and
• an implantable electrode array comprising at least one stimulating electrode configured to stimulate the gustatory cortex in said subject with said electrical impulses,
• wherein said sensor array comprises a plurality of the same sensor, wherein a different filter is associated with each sensor of said plurality of the same sensor which differentially affects the passage or flow of different molecules across the filter.

A system for mimicking a sense of taste in a subject, comprising:

• a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors for detecting one or more tastant, said sensor array producing sensor output signals in response to detecting said one or more tastants;
• a processor for processing said sensor output signals into digital encoded information;
• a transmitter for transmitting said digital encoded information transcutaneously into said subject;
• a receiver-stimulator configured to receive said transcutaneously transmitted digital encoded information and generate electrical impulses as a function thereof;
• and
• an implantable electrode array comprising at least one stimulating electrode configured to stimulate the gustatory cortex in said subject with said electrical impulses,
• wherein the implantable electrode array is configured for stimulating a chorda tympani nerve.

A system for monitoring ingestion in a subject, comprising:

• a sensor array comprising at least one sensor for detecting ingestion of at least one substance selected from the group consisting a food, a food ingredient, a food nutrient, a drug, an oral medication, and an allergen, said sensor array producing sensor output signals in response to detecting said at least one substance, wherein said sensor array comprises a maxillary appliance wherein said sensor array is fabricated or embedded within an ultrathin, flexible and stretchable material that can be integrated with or be removable from said maxillary appliance;
• a processor for processing said sensor output signals into digital encoded information;
• a transmitter for transmitting said digital encoded information;
• and
• an external electronic device selected from the group consisting of smart phone, smart watch, smart table, laptop computer, and computer, wherein said external electronic device is programmed to receive and process digital encoded information, and to display data and provide information to a user that identifies ingestion of said at least one substance,
• wherein said subject is a patient and said user is a healthcare professional.