Sampling capsule and process
AssigneesState University of New York, Gastrotarget Corp.
InventorsDavid T. D'Andrea, Jerome J. Schentag
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ingestible capsule and process for sampling, particularly repeatable sampling, of fluids in the alimentary canal is disclosed wherein an essentially non-digestible capsule contains an electric energy emitting means, a radio signal transmitting means, a sampling storage means and a remote actuatable sampling means. The capsule signals a remote receiver as it progresses through the alimentary tract in a previously mapped route and upon reaching a specified site is remotely triggered to capture a fluid sample in the alimentary canal.
Claims55
An ingestible capsule for removal of a fluid sample from the alimentary canal of an animal comprising, an electric power source;
- a radio signal transmitting means in enabling circuitry with said power source, said transmitting means being suitable for transmitting a radio signal the location from which the transmission emanates being trackable through animal tissue;
- a fluid sample storage compartment;
- means for obtaining a fluid sample from said alimentary canal;
- all encased in an essentially non-digestible outer shell that is configured to pass through said alimentary canal.
An ingestible capsule for removal of a fluid sample from the alimentary canal of an animal comprising, a non-digestible outer shell;
- an electric power source;
- a radio signal transmitting means;
- and a fluid sample storage compartment comprising a piston means arranged for withdrawing a fluid sample from said alimentary canal in response to a signal from a signal means remote from the body of said animal.
An ingestible capsule for sampling a fluid from the alimentary canal of an animal comprising, a non-digestible outer shell;
- an electric power source;
- a first radio signal transmitting means;
- a fluid sample storage compartment;
- means for receiving a second radio signal;
- and, a fluid sampling means responsive to the receipt of said second radio signal.
A process for the gathering of a fluid sample from a selected site in the alimentary canal of an animal comprising, providing an ingestible capsule containing a signal transmitting means and a remote actuatable fluid sampling means;
- ingesting said capsule into the alimentary canal;
- transmitting a signal, trackable through animal tissue, from said transmitting means contained in said capsule, said signal being suitable for determining location of said capsule;
- receiving said transmitted signal exterior of the body of said animal;
- comparing said signal to a pre-established model;
- transmitting an actuating signal to said remote actuatable fluid sampling means contained in said capsule;
- and gathering a fluid sample in said capsule in response to said actuating signal.
A process for the collection of data for the sampling of a fluid at a selected site in the alimentary canal of an animal comprising, providing an ingestible capsule containing a radio signal transmitting means suitable for determining location of said capsule;
- ingesting said capsule into the alimentary canal;
- transmitting a radio signal from said transmitting means;
- receiving said transmitted signal exterior of the body of said animal at multiple receiving antennae arranged about said canal;
- digitizing said signal received by said multiple receiving antennae;
- storing said digitized signal in computer recoverable, time sequence memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.