Communication system with partial power source
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 be used 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.
1. A composition comprising:
an ingestible component comprising an ingestible event marker and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; and
an external layer enclosing the ingestible component to provide a protective barrier for the ingestible component, wherein at least a portion of the external layer is configured to dissolve when the external layer is in contact with a liquid;
wherein the ingestible event marker comprises:
a framework;
a control device coupled to the framework;
a partial power source comprising first and second electrodes formed of dissimilar electrochemical materials configured to contact the liquid and generate a voltage to energize the ingestible event marker; and
a skirt comprised of a non-conducting material surrounding the framework;
wherein the skirt is positioned off-center relative to a central axis of the framework;
wherein the first and second electrodes are deposited on the framework; and
wherein the control device is configured to produce and control a conductive current flow through the liquid to control a conductance between the first and second electrodes and define a unique current signature associated with the ingestible event marker.
2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the external layer comprises a homogeneous layer of a single material.
3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the external layer comprises two or more distinct materials.
4. The composition according to claim 3 , wherein the two or more distinct materials are present as a multilayer structure.
5. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the external layer is configured to provide aqueous liquid passage through the external layer upon contact of the composition with the liquid.
6. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the external layer is configured to protect the ingestible component in a dicing process.
7. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the external layer is configured to dissolve in five or more minutes upon being in contact with the liquid.
8. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the external layer is environmentally sensitive.
9. The composition according to claim 8 , wherein the external layer is temperature sensitive.
10. The composition according to claim 8 , wherein the external layer is pH sensitive.