# US 8,540,633 B2 · Identifier circuits for generating unique identifiable indicators and techniques for producing same

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,540,633 B2
- Document ID: US8540633B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/527,403
- Filed: 2009-08-13
- Published: 2010-11-25
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2008-08-13
- Assignees: Proteus Digital Health, Inc.
- Applicants: Hooman Hafezi; Eric Snyder; Benedict Costello
- Inventors: Hooman Hafezi; Eric Snyder; Benedict Costello
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540633B2

## CPC

- A61K 9/0097: {Medicinal compositions released by microdevices, e.g. microelectromechanical systems [MEMS], microdevices comprising chips or microdevices on silicon}
- A23P 20/20: Making of laminated, multi-layered, stuffed or hollow foodstuffs, e.g. by wrapping in preformed edible dough sheets or in edible food containers
- A61B 5/06: Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies {; Determining position of diagnostic devices within or on the body of the patient}
- A61B 5/073: {Intestinal transmitters}
- A61B 5/42: {Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems (A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence)}
- A61B 5/4833: {Assessment of subject's compliance to treatment}
- A61B 5/4839: {combined with drug delivery}
- A61B 5/6861: {Capsules, e.g. for swallowing or implanting}
- A61B 5/6871: {Stomach}
- A61B 5/6873: {Intestine}
- A61J 3/007: {Marking tablets or the like (apparatus for printing on tablets or the like B41F17/36)}
- A61K 9/4825: {Proteins, e.g. gelatin (gelatin capsule shells with substantial amounts of other macromolecular substances A61K9/4816)}
- A61K 9/4833: {Encapsulating processes; Filling of capsules (mechanical aspects A61J3/07)}
- G01N 33/15: Medicinal preparations {; Physical properties thereof, e.g. dissolubility}
- H01M 6/00: Primary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H05K 13/00: Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
- A61B 5/0031: {Implanted circuitry}
- A61J 3/06: into the form of pills, lozenges or dragees
- A61J 2200/30: Compliance analysis for taking medication
- A61J 2205/60: using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
- Y10S 128/903: Radio telemetry
- Y10T 29/49108: Electric battery cell making
- Y10T 29/49124: On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
- A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D)
- A23P: SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The present invention provides for safe and reliable electronic circuitry that can be employed in ingestible compositions. The ingestible circuitry of the invention includes a solid support; a conductive element; and an electronic component. Each of the support, conductive element and electronic component are fabricated from an ingestible material. The ingestible circuitry finds use in a variety of different applications, including as components of ingestible identifiers, such as may be found in ingestible event markers, e.g., pharma-informatics enabled pharmaceutical compositions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of producing an identifier, the method comprising:
laminating a non-conducting element between first and second dissimilar materials to create a laminate component, wherein the first and second dissimilar materials generate a voltage potential when in contact with a conducting fluid;
removing a portion of the first and second dissimilar materials from the perimeter of the laminate component to expose the non-conducting element and to create a skirt; and
securing a circuit within an aperture formed in the laminate component, wherein the circuit is electrically coupled to each of the first and second dissimilar materials, and wherein the circuit is operable by the voltage potential generated by the first and second dissimilar materials.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the first and second dissimilar materials to create a voltaic cell through oxidation and reduction reactions when the first and second dissimilar materials are in contact with the conducting fluid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further comprising configuring the circuit to generate a detectable signal that identifies unique information associated with the identifier.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the conducting fluid is a physiological fluid.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the identifier to a pharmaceutical product to produce a tagged product such that activation of the circuit is an indication that the pharmaceutical product of the tagged product is in contact with physiological fluid.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising sealing the tagged product with a coating to isolate the tagged product from the physiological fluid for a predefined period of time until the coating is dissolved by the physiological fluid to allow the tagged product to reach a target site at which time the tagged product is exposed to the physiological fluid.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising laminating a current collector element between the non-conducting element and at least one of the first and second dissimilar materials.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the aperture through the laminate component to receive the circuit within the aperture.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising fixing the circuit within the aperture with a conductive adhesive.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising removing a portion of the laminate component encompassing the circuit to produce the identifier.