# US 10,945,669 B2 · Flowable electronics > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,945,669 B2 - Document ID: US10945669B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/517,897 - Filed: 2015-10-08 - Published: 2017-10-26 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-08 - Assignees: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona - Applicants: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona - Inventors: Marvin J. Slepian - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945669B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/6847: {mounted on an invasive device} - A61B 5/0024: {for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network} - A61B 5/24: Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof - A61B 5/6861: {Capsules, e.g. for swallowing or implanting} - A61B 2562/028: Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS] - A61B 2562/12: Manufacturing methods specially adapted for producing sensors for in-vivo measurements - A61B 2562/164: the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier - A61B 2562/224: Cables for conducting fluids therefor - A61N 1/36125: {Details of circuitry or electric components} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract Electronic devices and systems that overcome the limitation of stiffness and rigidity generally associated with electronics and allow for delivery via minimally invasive or percutaneous access and delivery systems are described herein. The devices and systems are able to change in size, such as from a larger electronic construct to a smaller flowable configuration. The devices and systems are configured to open or reconfigure to return to the original size and spatial dimensions at the site. In another embodiment, the devices and systems begin as a plurality of discrete electrical elements in a flowable state, and change to a non-fluent state thereby forming an electrical construct. The electrical elements are able to communicate by direct contact with each other or near field inter-device communication means. This allows the electronic device or system to be applied, adhere and conform to the underlying surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flowable electronic device or system for administration to a site in an animal comprising electronic elements and a biocompatible carrier, wherein the carrier is a fluent material, wherein the electronic elements are attached to each other via flexible interconnects or wherein each of the electronic elements is discrete and is configured to electronically communicate with the other electronic elements, wherein the device or system is configured to be administered to the animal in a fluent state, and wherein the device or system converts from the fluent state to a non-fluent state on a surface of the site in the animal in situ and conforms to the surface of the site in the animal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device or system of claim 1, wherein the electronic elements are attached to each other via flexible interconnects. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device or system of claim 1, further comprising a supportive substrate configured to change from a non-fluent state to a fluent state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device or system of claim 3, wherein the supportive substrate comprises one or more flexible interconnects, wherein the interconnects are attached to the electronic elements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device or system of claim 4, wherein the supportive substrate further comprises the electronic elements. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The device or system of claim 3, wherein the supportive substrate is in the form of one or more micro- or nano-particles or capsules. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device or system of claim 1, wherein the device or system does not contain a supportive substrate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device or system of claim 1, further comprising near field communication, Bluetooth, or telemetry of other communication means, and wherein each of the electronic elements is discrete and is configured to electronically communicate with the other electronic elements via the near field communication, Bluetooth, or telemetry of other communication means. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method of delivering electronics to a surface of a site in an animal comprising delivering one or more devices or systems defined by claim 1 to the animal by spraying, brushing, pouring, splashing, drizzling, or misting or through a narrow tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the narrow tube is a catheter, a trocar, or a needle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising converting the device or system from a fluent state to a less fluent state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, comprising delivering the one or more devices or systems to the patient by spraying, brushing, pouring, splashing, drizzling, or misting. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the site in the patient is not directly accessible. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the site is located on or in the lung, the heart, or the kidney. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the electrical elements measure, monitor and/or treat an aspect or location of the site. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the device or system adheres and conforms to the surface of the site. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device or system of claim 1, wherein the biocompatible carrier is a dispersion, a sol, a gel, or a solution. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The device or system of claim 1, wherein the animal is a human. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The device or system of claim 1, wherein the electronic elements are biodegradable or bioerodible. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The device or system of claim 1, wherein the device or system is in a form suitable for delivery to the surface of the site in the animal by spraying, brushing, pouring, splashing, drizzling, or misting, or through a narrow tube.