Communication system with remote activation
The system of the present invention includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, a voltage potential is created and the power source is completed, which activates the system. The electronic component controls the conductance between the dissimilar materials to produce a unique current signature. The system can also measure the conditions of the environment surrounding the system.
1. A device for communication, the device comprising:
an ingestible system comprising:
a communication system comprising:
a support structure;
a control module associated with the support structure;
a sealed housing defining a cavity configured to contain the communication system therein; and
a release material positioned within the cavity, wherein the communication system, upon receipt of a current signature via transconduction from an external source, is configured to cause the release material to expand and open the sealed housing to release the communication system into an electrically conductive fluid to activate the control module;
wherein the release material comprises a reactive material configured to expand based on a reaction with a voltage potential or an electrical current generated by the communication system or based on a reaction with a chemical located within the cavity.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cavity is a first cavity and the communication system comprises a second cavity therein, wherein the communication system includes a mechanism located within the second cavity that extends outward from the communication system to penetrate a wall portion of the sealed housing to allow the communication system to be separated from the sealed housing.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the communication system includes a rod that is mechanically activated to tear a wall portion of the sealed housing and cause the sealed housing to open and allow the communication system to be separated from the sealed housing.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the control module comprises a partial power source that is configured to activate by exposure to the electrically conductive fluid.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the partial power source produces a voltage potential when exposed to the electrically conductive fluid to supply power to the control module.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the communication system is configured to measure at least one characteristic associated with an environment immediately surrounding the communication system.
7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a release apparatus secured to the support structure to cause the release material to expand within the cavity and open the sealed housing.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the release apparatus includes a plunger that is configured to release the chemical into the release material comprising the reactive material to cause the reaction such that the sealed housing expands and opens.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the reactive material is an electroactive matrix.
10. A device for communication, the device comprising:
an ingestible system comprising:
a communication system comprising:
a support structure;
a control module associated with the support structure;
a sealed housing defining a cavity configured to contain the communication system therein; and
a release material positioned within the cavity, wherein the communication system, upon receipt of a current signature via transconduction from an external source, is configured to cause the release material to expand and open the sealed housing to release the communication system into an electrically conductive fluid to activate the control module; and
an impedance measurement unit configured to measure an impedance of an environment surrounding the device; and
wherein the release material comprises a reactive material configured to expand based on a reaction with a voltage potential or an electrical current generated by the communication system or based on a reaction with a chemical located within the cavity.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein in response to the measured impedance, the control module adjusts a conductance so as to deactivate the device or to activate the device with a delay.
12. The device of claim 10 , wherein the control module is configured to adjust conductance in response to the measured impedance.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the control module is configured to maintain constant power output or maintain power output above a minimum threshold in response to the measured impedance.
14. The device of claim 10 , wherein the impedance measurement unit is configured to correlate the measured impedance to at least one indicator selected from the group consisting essentially of: hydration state, presence of a drug, gastro-intestinal motility/waves, gastric transit time, and a presence of a specific tissue.
15. A device for communication, the device comprising:
an ingestible system comprising:
a communication system comprising:
a support structure;
a control module associated with the support structure; and
a secondary communication module;
a sealed housing defining a cavity configured to contain the communication system therein; and
a release material positioned within the cavity, wherein the communication system, upon receipt of a current signature via transconduction from an external source, is configured to cause the release material to expand and open the sealed housing to release the communication system into an electrically conductive fluid to activate the control module; and
wherein the release material comprises a reactive material configured to expand based on a reaction with a voltage potential or an electrical current generated by the communication system or based on a reaction with a chemical located within the cavity; and
the secondary communication module configured to communicate with the control module, the secondary communication module associated with the support structure and configured to receive a signal from the external source or send a signal to the external source.
16. The device of claim 15 , the secondary communication module further comprising an impedance measurement unit configured to measure an impedance of an environment surrounding the device.