Bioimpedance sensor-integrated capsule for monitoring

Abstract

The present disclosure describes various aspects of various devices, and methods of making and using the devices, for measuring bioimpedance of tissues within a patient's body, such as GI tract tissue. The devices entail using various implementations of capsules or other housings that allow for ingestion or other insertion into a body of the device, equipped with microfabricated sensors and embedded circuitry enabling wireless communication. Among other benefits, this approach addresses a gap in conventional GI tract monitoring devices and methods to non-invasively access the small intestine and directly measure the inflammatory state of intestinal tissue, including ischemia, edema, and mucosal abnormalities. The device integrates 1) bioimpedance measurements resulting from transmural contact of tetrapolar electrodes against intestinal tissue; 2) a packaging scheme for molding the electronics in a biocompatible polymer/resin and conformally wrapping the sensor on the surface of the capsule; and 3) a circuit configuration for signal acquisition and real-time wireless transmission to an external receiver.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.