Ingestible therapy activator system and method
View Patent ↗An ingestible therapy activator system and method are provided. In one aspect, the ingestible therapy activator includes an ingestible device having an effector module to send an effector instruction and a responder module associated with a therapeutic device. The responder module may receive and process the effector instruction, resulting in a response by the therapeutic device. Examples of responses by therapeutic device include activating a therapy, deactivating a therapy, modulating a therapy, and discontinuing a therapy.
1. A system for providing instructions to a therapeutic device, the system comprising:
an ingestible unit comprising:
a housing; and
an effector module secured within the housing for providing an effector instruction,
wherein the housing dissolves upon contact with the surrounding fluid of a desired target site to release the effector module and the effector module comprises a support structure including two dissimilar materials deposited thereon wherein the dissimilar materials represent a voltage potential difference and provide power for the ingestible unit upon contact with the fluid;
a responder module in communication with the therapeutic device for receiving and processing the effector instruction, wherein the effector instruction alters at least an operation of the therapeutic device; and
a hermetically sealed conductance control module electrically coupled to each of the dissimilar materials for controlling the conductance between the dissimilar materials to generate a unique current signature that presents the effector instruction, wherein the current signature is produced through controlled ionic emission.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ingestible unit further comprises an oral medication.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ingestible unit further comprises a second effector module secured within the housing to provide a second effector instruction.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the effector instruction further comprises data.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responder module further comprises a transmitter to transmit at least one of data and signals.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the therapeutic device.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the therapeutic device is a cardiac device.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the cardiac device is a lead device.
9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the therapeutic device is a selected from a group consisting essentially of an electrode device, a migraine device, a urinary device, and a gastrointestinal device.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the responder module comprises at least one of a hardware component and a software component.