Ingestible device, ingestible device information acquisition system, and method for manufacturing ingestible device

Abstract

The present invention provides an ingestible device that can improve and stabilize the sound pressure of a transmitted ultrasonic signal, an ingestible device information acquisition system comprising the ingestible device, and a method for manufacturing the ingestible device. An ingestible device 10A transmits information by having the device 10A itself vibrate, the ingestible device 10A comprising: a piezoelectric element 20 of rectangular cuboid shape having a first main surface 20a and a second main surface 20b that oppose each other, a first lateral surface 20c and a second lateral surface 20d that oppose each other, and a third lateral surface 20e and a fourth lateral surface 20f that oppose each other; and a casing 30 housing the piezoelectric element 20, wherein the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 is fixed directly to an inner wall surface 31 of the casing 30.

Description

Medicated device, medication device information acquisition system, and medication device manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a medication device, an information acquisition system for a medication device, and a method for manufacturing a medication device.

[0002] There is a need for a method to confirm whether a patient has taken the prescribed medication, and a method to confirm what biological reactions occur when a patient takes a medication. For this reason, development of medication devices that transmit signals from inside the body to outside the body after being ingested along with medication is underway.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes a swallowing sensor device that includes sensors including a sensor and a device for wirelessly transmitting information detected by the sensor, and a group of substrates formed by stacking multiple rigid substrates.

[0004] Patent No. 6914567

[0005] However, the swallowing sensor device described in Patent Document 1 communicates using radio waves, so signals are transmitted omnidirectionally, both inside and outside the body, and there is a possibility that they may be obtained by a third party, posing a security issue.

[0006] In response to this, it is conceivable to use an ingestible device equipped with a piezoelectric element that emits an ultrasonic signal, and receive the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element of the ingested device with, for example, a receiver attached to the surface of the user's body. With this method, the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element basically propagates within the user's body, but is reflected at the interface between the body and the air, so it hardly leaks into the air, reducing the possibility of it being obtained by a third party.

[0007] However, in the above-mentioned ingestion device, when the piezoelectric element is placed inside the housing, in order to transmit the ultrasonic signal generated by the piezoelectric element to the outside of the ingestion device with sufficient sound pressure, it is necessary to fill the area between the inner wall surface of the housing and the piezoelectric element with a sealant. In this case, air bubbles may be generated in the sealant, attenuating the sound pressure and making it difficult to obtain the desired sound pressure. This is because if air bubbles are present in the sealant, the ultrasonic waves are reflected at the interface between the air bubbles and the sealant. In addition, the amount of air bubbles generated in the sealant may vary depending on the ingestion device, which may cause the sound pressure to vary depending on the ingestion device.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a medication device that can improve and stabilize the sound pressure of the emitted ultrasonic signal, a medication device information acquisition system that includes the medication device, and a method for manufacturing the medication device.

[0009] The medication device of the present invention is a medication device that transmits information by vibrating the device itself, and comprises a rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element having opposing first and second main surfaces, opposing first and second side surfaces, and opposing third and fourth side surfaces, and a housing that houses the piezoelectric element, and the first main surface of the piezoelectric element is directly fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing.

[0010] The information acquisition system for a medication device of the present invention comprises a medication device of the present invention, a processing device, and a receiver that acquires information from the medication device by receiving an ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element and transmits the acquired information to the processing device.

[0011] The manufacturing method of the medication device of the present invention includes the steps of preparing a first divided housing and a second divided housing, preparing a rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element having opposing first and second main surfaces, opposing first and second side surfaces, and opposing third and fourth side surfaces, and directly fixing the first main surface of the piezoelectric element to the inner wall surface of the first divided housing.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medication device capable of improving and stabilizing the sound pressure of an emitted ultrasonic signal, a medication device information acquisition system including the medication device, and a method for manufacturing the medication device.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing an example of a cross section of the medication device shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line segment A1-A1. FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing an example of a cross section of the medication device shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line segment A2-A2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a piezoelectric element. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operating principle of the medication device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a flexible film. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing another example of a flexible film. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a step of preparing a first divided housing and a second divided housing in an example of a method for manufacturing a medication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a step of preparing a piezoelectric element in an example of a method for manufacturing a medication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a step of fixing a piezoelectric element to a housing in an example of a method for manufacturing a medication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a step of joining a first divided housing and a second divided housing in an example of a manufacturing method of the administered device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the administered device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the administered device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the administered device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the administered device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the administered device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the administered device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the administered device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a view schematically showing an example of the administered device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view from the longitudinal direction of the administered device. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the administered device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 21 is a diagram schematically showing another example of a medication device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, and is a perspective view from the longitudinal direction of the medication device. Fig. 22 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to embodiment 6 of the present invention. Fig. 23 is a perspective view from the thickness direction of the medication device shown in Fig. 22.FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section along the line segment B1-B1 of the taken device shown in FIG. 22. FIG. 25 is a perspective view schematically showing another example of a taken device according to embodiment 6 of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a perspective view from the Z-axis direction of the taken device shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section along the line segment C1-C1 of the taken device shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 28 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of an information acquisition system for a taken device according to embodiment 7 of the present invention.

[0014] The following describes the medication device, medication device information acquisition system, and medication device manufacturing method of the present invention. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following configurations and may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. In addition, a combination of multiple individual preferred configurations described below also constitutes the present invention.

[0015] The following embodiments are merely examples, and it goes without saying that partial substitution or combination of the configurations shown in different embodiments is possible. From the second embodiment onwards, descriptions of matters common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described. In particular, similar effects resulting from similar configurations will not be mentioned one after the other for each embodiment.

[0016] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each embodiment will be referred to simply as the "medication device of the present invention."

[0017] In this specification, terms indicating the relationship between elements (e.g., "perpendicular," "parallel," "orthogonal," etc.) and terms indicating the shape of elements are not expressions that only express a strict meaning, but are expressions that also include a range of substantial equivalence, for example, a difference of about a few percent.

[0018] The drawings shown below are schematic diagrams, and the dimensions, aspect ratio, scale, etc. may differ from those of the actual product.

[0019] [Embodiment 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the medication device shown in Fig. 1 taken along line segment A1-A1. Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the medication device shown in Fig. 1 taken along line segment A2-A2. In each of the figures except Figs. 22 to 27, the X-axis direction is the longitudinal direction of the medication device, and the Z-axis direction is the lateral direction of the medication device. The Y-axis is an axis perpendicular to each of the X-axis and Z-axis.

[0020] The ingested device 10A shown in FIG. 1 can transmit information by vibrating the device 10A itself. The ingested device 10A is administered to a person or animal (e.g., a dog, cat, cow, horse, etc.) with or without a drug. The ingested device 10A may be administered by itself. The information transmitted from the ingested device 10A is not particularly limited and may be a signal. Specific examples include a signal indicating that a drug has been taken or administered with the ingested device 10A, and biometric information acquired within the body. The drug that can be administered with the ingested device 10A is any drug. Specifically, the drug may be taken by a person who has difficulty recognizing the act of taking a drug. In this case, the drug intake rate of such people can be improved. Furthermore, the burden on caregivers for such people can be reduced. In this specification, "transmission" is synonymous with "transmission" unless otherwise specified.

[0021] 2 and 3, the medication device 10A includes a piezoelectric element 20 and a housing 30. The piezoelectric element 20 is housed in the housing 30 and is disposed inside the housing 30.

[0022] The housing 30 is made of, for example, a biocompatible resin or a resin whose surface is coated with a biocompatible material. An example of a biocompatible resin is epoxy resin. It is preferable that the material used for the housing 30 be one that will not dissolve in stomach acid or the like after the ingestible device 10A is taken into the body and will be excreted from the body.

[0023] Substantially all of the outer surface of the medication device 10A may be made up of the outer surface of the housing 30.

[0024] 1 to 3 show a so-called capsule-shaped, more specifically, cylindrical housing 30 with hemispherical ends in the longitudinal direction, but the external shapes of the oral device 10A and the housing 30 are not particularly limited as long as they do not interfere with administration, and may be spherical, ellipsoidal, disc-shaped, cylindrical, tablet-shaped, polygonal columnar with rounded corners, etc. The ellipsoidal shape may be an oblate spheroid or an oblate spheroid.

[0025] 2 and 3 , the capsule-shaped casing 30 may be composed of a first divided casing 32 and a second divided casing 33 that are divided at the center in the short-side direction of the casing 30 along the longitudinal direction of the casing 30. That is, the casing 30 may be divided into two equal halves at the center in the short-side direction of the casing 30 along the longitudinal direction of the casing 30. In other words, the capsule-shaped casing 30 may be divided into two halves along the longitudinal direction of the casing 30 at a position where the cross-sectional area is maximum.

[0026] The first divided housing 32 and the second divided housing 33 are semi-capsule-shaped with the opposing divided housing sides open, and each has a space inside in which other components can be placed.

[0027] The ingested device 10A drives the piezoelectric element 20 to generate an ultrasonic signal from the piezoelectric element 20. The ultrasonic signal generated from the piezoelectric element 20 propagates through a medium inside the ingested device 10A and is ultimately transmitted to the outside of the ingested device 10A. That is, the ultrasonic signal generated from the piezoelectric element 20 also vibrates the ingested device 10A itself, and information is transmitted as an ultrasonic signal to the outside of the ingested device 10A, specifically to the inside of the body.

[0028] The piezoelectric element 20 functions as an ultrasonic oscillator that emits ultrasonic waves, and vibrates the piezoelectric element 20 to generate ultrasonic waves. The piezoelectric element 20 is also called a piezoelectric vibrator. The ultrasonic waves emitted from the piezoelectric element 20 are directional in the direction in which the vibration surface of the piezoelectric element 20 vibrates. Materials such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate), BT (barium titanate), and KNN (potassium sodium niobate) can be used for the piezoelectric element 20. In this case, the oral device 10A includes an IC 55, which controls the piezoelectric element 20. The ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 20 is received by a receiver attached to the user's body surface, such as the torso, neck, or wrist, using a fastener such as a belt. The receiver is attached so as to directly contact the body surface or so as to contact the body surface via an intervening object such as gel.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a piezoelectric element.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the shape of the piezoelectric element 20 is a rectangular parallelepiped having opposing first and second main surfaces 20a and 20b, opposing first and second side surfaces 20c and 20d, and opposing third and fourth side surfaces 20e and 20f.

[0031] In this specification, the term "main surface" refers to a main surface having a larger area than other surfaces.

[0032] The first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 is directly fixed to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30. Therefore, the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 20 can be propagated to the housing 30 via the inner wall surface 31 without being affected by air bubbles in the sealant. Therefore, the sound pressure is less likely to attenuate, and it is possible to improve and stabilize the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the oral device 10A.

[0033] The location where the piezoelectric element 20 is fixed is not particularly limited as long as it is on the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30, and can be set appropriately.

[0034] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operating principle of the medication device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2.

[0035] Since the piezoelectric element 20 is directly fixed to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30, when the piezoelectric element 20 vibrates, the housing 30 also vibrates in the same direction as the piezoelectric element 20, as shown in Fig. 5. As a result, an ultrasonic signal generated by the piezoelectric element 20 is transmitted to the outside of the oral device 10A.

[0036] 5 shows a case where the vibration direction of the piezoelectric element 20 is perpendicular to the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20, the vibration direction of the piezoelectric element 20 is not limited to a specific direction and can be any direction. For example, the vibration direction of the piezoelectric element 20 may be a direction parallel to the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20.

[0037] Here, the "vibration direction of the piezoelectric element" means the direction in which the displacement amount is greatest at the frequency at which the piezoelectric element is to be driven.

[0038] 2 and 3 , the medication device 10A preferably includes a fixing member 25. The fixing member 25 is disposed between the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 and the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20, and fixes the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30. This allows the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 to be directly fixed to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30.

[0039] The type of fixing member 25 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the acoustic impedance of the fixing member 25 be a value between the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the piezoelectric element 20 and the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the housing 30. This effectively prevents attenuation of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 20. As a result, the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted into the body from the ingestible device 10 can be further improved.

[0040] For example, the acoustic impedance of PZT, a type of piezoelectric material, is 32 MPa·s / m ３ The acoustic impedance of epoxy resin, which is one of the materials of the housing 30, is 1.7 MPa·s / m ３ Therefore, the acoustic impedance of the material that constitutes the fixing member 25 is 1.7 MPa·s / m ３ Above, 32MPa・s / m３ Preferably, it is 4.5 MPa·s / m or less. ３ Above, 12MPa・s / m ３ For example, the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element 20 is 32 MPa·s / m ３ and the acoustic impedance of the housing 30 is 1.7 MPa·s / m ３ In this case, when the piezoelectric element 20 and the housing 30 are disposed directly adjacent to each other, the overall transmittance is 10%, whereas the acoustic impedance between the piezoelectric element 20 and the housing 30 is 7.4 MPa·s / m ３ When a fixing member 25 having a thickness of 1.0 mm or less is interposed between the fixing members 25, the overall transmittance improves to 14%. Furthermore, a plurality of fixing members 25 may be stacked so that there is a gradient in acoustic impedance from the piezoelectric element 20 toward the housing 30. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress attenuation of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 20.

[0041] For example, an adhesive or a sticky plastic film can be used as the fixing member 25. An example of the sticky plastic film is a double-sided tape such as Kapton tape.

[0042] 2 and 3, the medication device 10A preferably includes a flexible film 40. The piezoelectric element 20 is mounted on a main surface (hereinafter referred to as a mounting surface) 40a of the flexible film 40, and the flexible film 40 on which the piezoelectric element 20 is mounted is attached to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30.

[0043] 2 and 3, the piezoelectric element 20 may be mounted on the flexible film 40 at the second main surface 20b, or may be disposed between the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 and the flexible film 40. This allows the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 20 to propagate to the housing 30 without passing through the flexible film 40, thereby further improving and stabilizing the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the oral device 10A.

[0044] The flexible film 40 is arranged to cover the second main surface 20b of the piezoelectric element 20, and the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 and the mounting surface 40a of the flexible film 40 are both fixed to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 by fixing members 25.

[0045] The fixing member 25 is preferably provided so as to contact at least a part of the first main surface 20 a of the piezoelectric element 20 , and more preferably so as to contact the entire first main surface 20 a of the piezoelectric element 20 .

[0046] Because ultrasonic waves do not need to be transmitted through the flexible film 40, the acoustic impedance of the flexible film 40 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that there is a large difference between the acoustic impedance of the material that makes up the flexible film 40 and the acoustic impedance of the material that makes up the piezoelectric element 20. This allows the ultrasonic waves emitted from the piezoelectric element 20 to be actively reflected by the flexible film 40, thereby further improving the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ingestible device 10 into the body.

[0047] For example, as mentioned above, the acoustic impedance of PZT, which is one of the materials used for piezoelectric elements, is 32 MPa·s / m ３ Therefore, the acoustic impedance of the material that constitutes the flexible film 40 is 1.0 MPa·s / m ３ Preferably, it is 0.63 MPa·s / m or less. ３ For example, the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element 20 is 32 MPa·s / m ３ When the acoustic impedance of the flexible film 40 is 1.0 MPa·s / m ３ When the reflectance of the interface is 94%, the acoustic impedance of the flexible film 40 is 0.63 MPa·s / m ３ The reflectance of the interface is 96%. The lower limit of the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the flexible film 40 is 0 MPa·s / m ３ It can be set appropriately within a larger range.

[0048] Fig. 6 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a flexible film, and Fig. 7 is a plan view schematically showing another example of a flexible film.

[0049] The type of flexible film 40 is not particularly limited, but a flexible printed circuit board 45 provided with a circuit 46 is preferred, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. An example of the flexible printed circuit board 45 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The flexible printed circuit board 45 may be connected to a substrate 50, which will be described later.

[0050] The insulating material that constitutes the flexible film 40 and the flexible printed circuit board 45 may be, for example, a resin material such as polyimide or liquid crystal polymer, or a composite material such as glass epoxy, paper epoxy, or paper phenol.

[0051] The piezoelectric element 20 can be mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 45 using solder or a conductive adhesive (neither of which is shown).

[0052] The circuit 46 provided on the flexible printed circuit board 45 may include a power feeding circuit 47 to the piezoelectric element 20 as shown in Fig. 6, or may include a power receiving coil 48 for wireless power feeding as shown in Fig. 7. The circuit 46 may include both the power feeding circuit 47 and the power receiving coil 48. By providing the power feeding circuit 47, power can be easily fed to the piezoelectric element 20 via the flexible printed circuit board 45. By providing the power receiving coil 48, wireless power feeding can be performed.

[0053] The power supply circuit 47 is connected to, for example, the piezoelectric element 20 mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 45 and a battery 51 (described later), and power is supplied from the battery 51 to the piezoelectric element 20 via the power supply circuit 47 .

[0054] It should be noted that the piezoelectric element 20 and the substrate 50 may be connected by wire bonding instead of the power supply circuit 47 of the flexible printed circuit board 45. In this case, it is possible to omit the flexible printed circuit board 45 and the flexible film 40 themselves.

[0055] The receiving coil 48 is paired with the transmitting coil to perform wireless power transfer. The receiving coil 48 is made of, for example, copper. Wireless power transfer can be performed using electromagnetic induction technology or magnetic resonance technology. Note that magnetic resonance is a type of electromagnetic induction, as current flows through the receiving coil 48 in response to changes in the magnetic field created by the transmitting coil. The receiving coil 48 is connected to a battery 51, which will be described later.

[0056] However, the location where the power receiving coil 48 is provided is not limited to the flexible printed circuit board 45, and it may be provided on the board 50 on which the battery 51 is provided, for example.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the ingestion device 10A may include a substrate 50, a battery 51, a biometric information acquisition unit 52, an A / D converter 53, and electronic components 54.

[0058] The substrate 50 is disposed inside the housing 30. There may be one or more substrates 50. The substrate 50 may be made of, for example, glass epoxy resin, FR-4, or the like.

[0059] The substrate 50 is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the medication device 10A. That is, the substrate 50 is arranged perpendicular to the short side direction of the medication device 10A. The longitudinal direction of the medication device 10A is synonymous with the longitudinal direction of the housing 30, and the short side direction of the medication device 10A is synonymous with the short side direction of the housing 30.

[0060] The battery 51 is, for example, a secondary battery that can be charged with power received by the power receiving coil 48. In this case, the battery 51 is not particularly limited as long as it is a rechargeable battery, and may be, for example, an all-solid-state battery having a solid electrolyte. All-solid-state batteries are suitable for the ingested device 10A because they do not leak. Furthermore, the battery 51 may be a primary battery as long as it is configured so that current flows through the ingested device 10A immediately before ingestion. The battery 51 is, for example, provided on the substrate 50.

[0061] The biological information acquisition unit 52 acquires biological information such as the internal position of the ingested ingested device 10A, internal body temperature, stomach and / or intestinal pH, and vital signs such as intestinal activity. The internal body temperature may be core body temperature. For example, the biological information acquisition unit 52 has a timekeeping means capable of measuring time, measures the elapsed time since the ingested device 10A was taken into the body, and estimates the internal position of the ingested device 10A based on the measured time. As another example, the biological information acquisition unit 52 includes sensors such as a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, and an acceleration sensor to detect internal body temperature, stomach and / or intestinal pH, intestinal activity, and other vital signs. The temperature sensor may include, for example, a thermistor. Note that biological information includes any information related to a living organism, and the biological information acquisition unit 52 can be configured to acquire any biological information. The biological information acquisition unit 52 is controlled by an IC 55.

[0062] When the biometric information acquisition unit 52 acquires biometric information, the frequency of the ultrasound waves oscillated from the piezoelectric element 20 may be changed for each type of biometric information to be acquired.

[0063] Under the control of the IC 55, the A / D converter 53 converts the analog biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 52 into digital information and outputs the digital biometric information to the piezoelectric element 20. The digital biometric information converted by the A / D converter 53 is then transmitted by the piezoelectric element 20 as an ultrasonic signal.

[0064] The electronic components 54 may be, for example, passive components such as diodes, capacitors, coils, and resistors, or active components such as transistors, regulators, and DC-DC converters.

[0065] Power is supplied to the piezoelectric element 20, the biometric information acquisition unit 52, the A / D converter 53, the electronic components 54, and the IC 55 from a battery 51. Although Fig. 2 shows a configuration in which the biometric information acquisition unit 52, the A / D converter 53, the electronic components 54, and the IC 55 are provided on the same substrate 50, the locations where the biometric information acquisition unit 52, the A / D converter 53, the electronic components 54, and the IC 55 are provided are not particularly limited to the substrate 50.

[0066] The medication device 10A can be manufactured by the following method.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a step of preparing a first divided housing and a second divided housing in an example of a method for manufacturing the medication device of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0068] First, as shown in FIG. 8, a first divided housing 32 and a second divided housing 33 are prepared.

[0069] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a step of preparing a piezoelectric element in an example of a method for manufacturing the oral administration device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] 9, a rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element 20 is prepared. Here, the piezoelectric element 20 is mounted on a flexible film 40, and the second main surface 20b of the piezoelectric element 20 faces the mounting surface 40a of the flexible film 40.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a step of fixing a piezoelectric element to a housing in an example of a method for manufacturing the oral administration device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] 10 , the first main surface 20 a of the piezoelectric element 20 mounted on the flexible film 40 is directly fixed to the inner wall surface 33 a of the first divided housing 32. The inner wall surface 33 a of the first divided housing 32 corresponds to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30.

[0073] More specifically, first, the fixing member 25 is placed on at least one of the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 and the mounting surface 40a of the flexible film 40, and the inner wall surface 33a of the first divided housing 32. Then, the fixing member 25 is used to attach the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 and the mounting surface 40a of the flexible film 40 to the inner wall surface 33a of the first divided housing 32.

[0074] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a step of joining the first divided housing and the second divided housing in an example of a method for manufacturing the medication device of embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0075] 11 , the first and second divided housings 32 and 33 are joined together with the substrate 50, on which the battery 51, the biometric information acquisition unit 52, the A / D converter 53, the electronic components 54, and the IC 55 are mounted, housed in the space formed by the first and second divided housings 32 and 33. For example, the first and second divided housings 32 and 33 are joined together with an adhesive. The first and second divided housings 32 and 33 may also be ultrasonically welded together.

[0076] As a result of the above, a medication device 10A can be obtained.

[0077] [Embodiment 2] Figures 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views each showing a schematic example of an ingestion device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 12 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Figure 2, and Figure 13 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Figure 3.

[0078] In the ingested device 10B shown in Figures 12 and 13, the piezoelectric element 20 is mounted on a flexible film 40 with its first main surface 20a, and the flexible film 40 is disposed between the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 and the piezoelectric element 20. That is, the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 is directly fixed to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 via the flexible film 40. Since the piezoelectric element 20 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as described above, by directly fixing it to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 via the flexible film 40 in this manner, the adhesion between the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 and the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 is improved. Therefore, in this case too, it is possible to further improve and stabilize the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the ingested device 10A.

[0079] In this embodiment, the acoustic impedance of the flexible film 40 is preferably a value between the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the piezoelectric element 20 and the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the housing 30. This effectively prevents the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 20 from attenuating. As a result, the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the ingestible device 10 into the body can be further improved.

[0080] For example, as mentioned above, the acoustic impedance of PZT, which is one of the materials used for piezoelectric elements, is 32 MPa·s / m ３The acoustic impedance of epoxy resin, which is one of the materials of the housing 30, is 1.7 MPa·s / m ３ Therefore, the acoustic impedance of the flexible film 40 is 1.7 MPa·s / m ３ Above, 32MPa・s / m ３ Preferably, it is 4.5 MPa·s / m or less. ３ Above, 12MPa・s / m ３ More preferably, it is:

[0081] In this embodiment, the main surface 40b of the flexible film 40 opposite the mounting surface 40a is fixed to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 by a fixing member 25. Therefore, the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the fixing member 25 is preferably a value between the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the flexible film 40 and the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the housing 30. This effectively prevents attenuation of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 20. As a result, the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted into the body from the ingestible device 10 can be further improved.

[0082] More specifically, the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the fixing member 25 is 1.7 MPa·s / m ３ It is preferable that the acoustic impedance is equal to or less than the value of the acoustic impedance of the flexible film 40 .

[0083] In the present embodiment, it is preferable to satisfy the following relationship: (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the piezoelectric element 20) > (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the flexible film 40) > (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the fixing member 25) > (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the housing 30). This makes it possible to more effectively suppress attenuation of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 20. It is more preferable that the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the flexible film 40 is the average value of the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the piezoelectric element 20 and the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the fixing member 25, or a value close to that average value, and it is more preferable that the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the fixing member 25 is the average value of the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the flexible film 40 and the acoustic impedance of the material constituting the housing 30, or a value close to that average value.

[0084] The fixing member 25 is preferably provided in at least a portion of the area overlapping the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20, and more preferably provided in at least the entire area overlapping the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20.

[0085] The medication device 10B can be manufactured by the same method as the medication device 10A.

[0086] [Embodiment 3] Figures 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views each showing a schematic example of an ingestion device according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 14 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Figure 2, and Figure 15 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Figure 3.

[0087] The medication device 10C shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 differs from the medication device 10A of the first embodiment in that it further includes a sealant 60.

[0088] The sealant 60 is provided in a region within the housing 30 on the side of the second main surface 20b of the piezoelectric element 20. This improves the adhesion between the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 and the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30, thereby making it possible to improve and stabilize the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the oral device 10C.

[0089] The sealant 60 may fill substantially all of the space within the housing 30, as shown in FIGS.

[0090] Examples of materials that can be used for the sealant 60 include epoxy resin, polyphenylsulfone (PPS), ceramic material, glass epoxy, and resin filled with filler such as metal or oxide.

[0091] Because ultrasonic waves do not need to be transmitted through the sealant 60, the acoustic impedance of the sealant 60 is not particularly limited, but there may be a large difference between the acoustic impedance of the material that constitutes the sealant 60 and the acoustic impedance of the material that constitutes the piezoelectric element 20. This allows the sealant 60 to actively reflect the ultrasonic waves emitted from the piezoelectric element 20, so that ultrasonic waves can be mainly emitted from the fixed portion of the piezoelectric element 20, i.e., from the opposite side of the piezoelectric element 20 from the sealant 60. As a result, the directionality of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the ingestible device 10C is improved, thereby improving security.

[0092] Specifically, in this case, it is preferable to satisfy the following relationship: (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the piezoelectric element 20) > (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the fixing member 25) > (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the housing 30) >> (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the sealing material 60).

[0093] [Embodiment 4] Figures 16 and 17 are cross-sectional views each showing a schematic example of an ingestion device according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. Figure 16 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Figure 2, and Figure 17 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Figure 3.

[0094] The medication device 10D shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 differs from the medication device 10B of the second embodiment in that it further includes a sealant 60.

[0095] As in the third embodiment, the sealant 60 is provided in an area within the housing 30 on the side of the second main surface 20b of the piezoelectric element 20. This also improves the adhesion between the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 and the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 in this embodiment, thereby further improving and stabilizing the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the oral device 10D.

[0096] In addition, the features of the sealant 60 described in the third embodiment are also applicable to this embodiment.

[0097] Specifically, for example, it is preferable to satisfy the following relationship: (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the piezoelectric element 20) > (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the flexible film 40) > (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the fixing member 25) > (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the housing 30) >> (acoustic impedance of the material constituting the sealing material 60). This allows the ultrasonic waves oscillated from the piezoelectric element 20 to be actively reflected by the sealing material 60, so that the ultrasonic waves can be mainly emitted from the fixing portion of the piezoelectric element 20, i.e., from the opposite side of the piezoelectric element 20 from the sealing material 60.

[0098] The medication devices 10C and 10D according to the third and fourth embodiments can be manufactured by the following method.

[0099] First, similarly to the first embodiment, the first divided housing 32, the second divided housing 33, and the flexible film 40 on which the piezoelectric element 20 is mounted are prepared.

[0100] Next, similarly to the first embodiment, the piezoelectric element 20 mounted on the flexible film 40 is directly fixed to the first divided housing 32 .

[0101] Next, the substrate 50 is fixed to the first divided housing 32 or the second divided housing 33, and unhardened sealant is injected into each of the first divided housing 32 and the second divided housing 33, and the injected sealant is hardened and solidified.

[0102] Finally, the first divided housing 32 and the second divided housing 33 are joined together in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Note that the first divided housing 32 and the second divided housing 33 may be joined together before the injected sealant is hardened, and the sealant may then be hardened.

[0103] In addition, a through hole may be provided in a part of the first divided housing 32 or the second divided housing 33, and after the first divided housing 32 and the second divided housing 33 are joined together without injecting sealant into each of the first divided housing 32 and the second divided housing 33, unhardened sealant may be injected through the through hole, and the through hole may then be sealed with a lid.

[0104] As a result of the above, medication devices 10C and 10D can be obtained.

[0105] [Embodiment 5] Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention. Fig. 18 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2. Fig. 19 is a view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, and is a perspective view of the medication device from the longitudinal direction.

[0106] 18 and 19 differs from the ingested device 10A of the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements 20. This allows the posture of the ingested device 10E to be detected based on the ultrasonic signals emitted from the respective piezoelectric elements 20.

[0107] The posture of the ingestible device 10E can be detected, for example, from (1) the time difference between the time it takes for the ultrasonic signals from multiple transmitting points to reach the receiver, or (2) as an enhanced version of (1), by carrying an accurate time signal like a GPS on the ultrasonic signal, or by calculating the round-trip time from the transmission request to the response, and calculating the distance between the multiple transmitting points and the receiver based on the time of flight (TOF).

[0108] The positional relationship of the multiple piezoelectric elements 20 is known in advance, and the distance between the receiver and each piezoelectric element 20 can be measured from the response time between each piezoelectric element 20 and the receiver, so the inclination and position of the oral device 10E can be determined.

[0109] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, when two piezoelectric elements 20 are used, it is possible to detect which piezoelectric element 20 is closer to the receiver.

[0110] The locations of the piezoelectric elements 20 are not particularly limited as long as they are spaced apart and not adjacent to each other, and can be set as appropriate.

[0111] As described above, the first main surface 20 a of each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements 20 is directly fixed to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 .

[0112] 18 and 19, multiple piezoelectric elements 20 may be mounted on the same flexible film 40, for example, a flexible printed circuit board 45. Also, one or more piezoelectric elements 20 may be mounted on each of multiple flexible films 40, for example, multiple flexible printed circuit boards 45.

[0113] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing another example of the administered device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention. Fig. 20 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2. Fig. 21 is a view schematically showing another example of the administered device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention, which is a perspective view from the longitudinal direction of the administered device.

[0114] The ingested device 10E may include three or more piezoelectric elements 20, and may include three piezoelectric elements 20 as shown in Figures 20 and 21. Even in this case, the posture of the ingested device 10E can be detected based on the ultrasonic signals emitted from each piezoelectric element 20.

[0115] As in the cases shown in Figures 18 and 19, the posture of the ingestible device 10E can be detected from, for example, (1) the time difference between the time it takes for the ultrasonic signals from multiple transmission points to reach the receiver, or (2) as an enhanced version of (1), by carrying an accurate time signal like a GPS on the ultrasonic signal, or by calculating the round-trip time from the transmission request to the response, and calculating the distance between the multiple transmission points and the receiver based on the time of flight (TOF).

[0116] The positional relationship of the three piezoelectric elements 20 is known in advance, and the distance between the receiver and each piezoelectric element 20 can be measured from the response time between each piezoelectric element 20 and the receiver, so the inclination and position of the oral device 10E can be determined.

[0117] When three piezoelectric elements 20 are used, the posture of the medication device 10E can be determined even with the method (1) above. In particular, when the method (1) above is adopted, it is more preferable that three or more piezoelectric elements 20 are not arranged in the same straight line.

[0118] In addition, when four or more piezoelectric elements 20 are used, (a) the accuracy of detecting the posture of the ingested device 10E can be improved, or (b) in addition to the posture of the ingested device 10E, the depth of the ingested device 10E (the distance from the body surface to the ingested device 10E) can be detected.

[0119] The medication device 10E can be manufactured by the same method as the medication device 10A.

[0120] [Embodiment 6] Figure 22 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a medication device according to embodiment 6 of the present invention. Figure 23 is a perspective view of the medication device shown in Figure 22 from the thickness direction. Figure 24 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the medication device shown in Figure 22 along line segment B1-B1. In Figures 22, 23, and 24, the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction are in-plane directions of the medication device, and the Z-axis direction is the thickness direction of the medication device. The Y-axis is an axis perpendicular to each of the X-axis and Z-axis.

[0121] The medication device 10F shown in Figures 22, 23, and 24 differs from the medication device 10A of embodiment 1 in that the shape of the housing 30 is different and the fixing location of the piezoelectric element 20 is specified. Note that in Figures 22, 23, and 24, configurations other than the piezoelectric element 20 and the housing 30 are not shown.

[0122] 22, 23, and 24, the housing 30 has a tablet-shaped, axisymmetric shape, and the piezoelectric element 20 is fixed to a portion of the housing 30 that includes the apex of the curved surface that forms the maximum R, i.e., the maximum radius of curvature. This allows the housing 30 to be displaced efficiently, thereby further improving and stabilizing the sound pressure of the ultrasonic signal emitted from the drug-administered device 10A.

[0123] As shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, the housing 30 has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the line segment B1-B1.

[0124] FIG. 25 is a perspective view schematically showing another example of the medication device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the medication device shown in FIG. 25 from the Z-axis direction. FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cross section of the medication device shown in FIG. 25 along line C1-C1. In FIGS. 25, 26, and 27, the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other. In addition, in FIGS. 25, 26, and 27, configurations other than the piezoelectric element 20 and the housing 30 are omitted from the illustration.

[0125] In the medication device 10F, the housing 30 may have a spherical, axisymmetric shape, as shown in Figures 25, 26, and 27. In this case, the piezoelectric element 20 directly fixed to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 is necessarily fixed to a portion of the housing 30 that includes the apex of the curved surface that forms the maximum R, i.e., the maximum radius of curvature. This is because a spherical shape forms the maximum R at any curved surface portion. Therefore, as in the cases shown in Figures 22 to 24, the housing 30 can be displaced efficiently.

[0126] 25 and 27, the housing 30 has a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to the line segment C1-C1 as the axis of symmetry. However, since the housing 30 shown in Figs. 25 to 27 is spherical, the shape is line-symmetrical with respect to an arbitrary axis.

[0127] In either case of Figures 22 to 24 or Figures 25 to 27, the vibration direction of the piezoelectric element 20 is perpendicular to the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 and perpendicular to the portion of the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30 to which the piezoelectric element 20 is fixed.

[0128] 22 to 24 or 25 to 27, the first main surface 20a of the piezoelectric element 20 is directly fixed to the inner wall surface 31 of the housing 30.

[0129] Furthermore, the medication device 10F can be manufactured by the same method as the medication device 10A.

[0130] [Seventh Embodiment] Fig. 28 is a block diagram showing an example of an information acquisition system for a medication device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0131] The information acquisition system 100 for a taken device shown in FIG. 28 is a system for acquiring information from a taken device 110, and includes the taken device 110, a processing device 120, and a receiver 130.

[0132] The ingested device 110, like the ingested device 10A described above, includes a piezoelectric element 111, a battery 112, a biological information acquisition unit 113, and an A / D converter 114. The ingested device 110 also includes a control unit 115 that controls the timing of acquiring biological information, processes the acquired information, and controls transmission of the information to the receiving unit of the receiver 130.

[0133] The medication device 110 may be provided with a storage unit 116, and for example, the biometric information acquired by the biometric information acquisition unit 113 may be stored in the storage unit 116.

[0134] The receiver 130 acquires information from the ingested device 110 by receiving ultrasonic signals emitted from the piezoelectric element 111 of the ingested device 110, and transmits the acquired information to the processing device 120. The receiver 130 is used by being attached to the body surface of the user, such as the torso, neck, or wrist, using a fastener such as a belt. The receiver 130 is attached so as to come into direct contact with the body surface or so as to come into contact with the body surface via an intervening object such as gel.

[0135] The receiver 130 includes, for example, a receiving unit 131, a transmitting unit 132, a battery 133, and a display unit 134.

[0136] The receiving unit 131 receives the ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element 111 of the ingested device 110. As a result, the receiver 130 acquires information from the ingested device 110, such as biological information.

[0137] The receiving unit 131 is composed of an ultrasonic receiver that receives ultrasonic waves. The principle of ultrasonic wave reception by the ultrasonic receiver is not particularly limited, but the ultrasonic receiver preferably includes a piezoelectric element that generates a voltage when receiving ultrasonic waves. The piezoelectric element included in the receiving unit 131 is also called a piezoelectric vibrator. Materials that can be used for the piezoelectric element include PZT (lead zirconate titanate), BT (barium titanate), and KNN (potassium sodium niobate).

[0138] The transmitting unit 132 transmits information acquired from the medication device 110 to the processing device 120 via wireless communication. Wireless communication is, for example, communication using a data communication line using radio waves from a mobile phone, an Internet line, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. Note that communication between the transmitting unit 132 and the processing device 120 is not limited to wireless communication, and may be communication via a wired connection such as a USB cable connection, an Ethernet cable connection, or a serial cable connection.

[0139] The battery 133 supplies power to each component of the receiver 130 and may be a rechargeable secondary battery. The specific type of the battery 133 is not particularly limited.

[0140] The display unit 134 is configured to be able to display, for example, information acquired from the medication device 110. The display unit 134 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0141] The processing device 120 acquires information transmitted from the transmission unit 132 of the receiver 130, i.e., information from the ingested device 110. The processing device 120 performs various data processing and data management based on the acquired information. Specifically, for example, the processing device 120 manages and analyzes biological information acquired from the ingested device 110, manages medications taken together with the ingested device 110, and so on.

[0142] The medication device information acquisition system 100 confirms whether the patient has taken the prescribed medication, for example, by the following method.

[0143] First, the oral device 110 is configured to automatically turn on when it is removed from its sealed container, and when the oral device 110 is turned on, it continues to emit ultrasonic signals of a constant frequency from the piezoelectric element 111.

[0144] At the same time, the receiver 130 continues to receive the ultrasonic signal transmitted from the ingested device 110. When the ingested device 110 is ingested by a patient together with a drug, the frequency of the ultrasonic signal received by the receiver 130 changes as the ingested device 110 enters the body. By detecting this change in frequency, it is possible to detect that the drug has been ingested along with the ingested device 110.

[0145] When the receiver 130 detects that the drug and the medication device 110 have been taken, it transmits information indicating this to the processing device 120, and the processing device 120 that receives the information manages whether the drug has been taken, the time of taking the drug, etc.

[0146] The present specification discloses the following:

[0147] <1> A medication device that transmits information by vibrating itself, comprising: a rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element having opposing first and second main surfaces, opposing first and second side surfaces, and opposing third and fourth side surfaces; and a housing that houses the piezoelectric element, wherein the first main surface of the piezoelectric element is directly fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing.

[0148] <2> The medication device according to <1>, further comprising a flexible film having the piezoelectric element mounted on a main surface thereof, wherein the flexible film is attached to the inner wall surface of the housing.

[0149] <3> The medication device described in <2>, wherein the piezoelectric element is mounted on the flexible film at the second main surface, and the piezoelectric element is disposed between the inner wall surface of the housing and the flexible film.

[0150] <4> The medication device described in <2>, wherein the piezoelectric element is mounted on the flexible film at the first main surface, and the flexible film is arranged between the inner wall surface of the housing and the piezoelectric element.

[0151] <5> The dosage device described in any one of <2> to <4>, wherein the flexible film is a flexible printed circuit board on which a circuit is provided.

[0152] <6> The dosage device described in <5>, wherein the circuit includes a power supply circuit to the piezoelectric element.

[0153] <7> The medication device according to <5> or <6>, wherein the circuit includes a receiving coil for wireless power supply.

[0154] <8> The medication device described in any one of <1> to <7>, further comprising a sealant provided in a region within the housing on the second main surface side of the piezoelectric element.

[0155] <9> The medication device described in any one of <1> to <8> further includes a fixing member arranged between the inner wall surface of the housing and the first main surface of the piezoelectric element, and fixing the first main surface of the piezoelectric element to the inner wall surface of the housing.

[0156] <10> A medication device according to any one of <1> to <9>, comprising a plurality of the piezoelectric elements.

[0157] <11> The medication device according to <10>, comprising three or more piezoelectric elements, wherein the three or more piezoelectric elements are not arranged in the same straight line.

[0158] <12> The medication device according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the housing has an axisymmetrical shape that is spherical or tablet-shaped, and the piezoelectric element is fixed to a part of the housing that includes the apex of a curved surface that forms the maximum radius of curvature.

[0159] <13> An information acquisition system for a ingested device, comprising: a ingested device according to any one of <1> to <12>; a processing device; and a receiver that acquires information from the ingested device by receiving an ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element and transmits the acquired information to the processing device.

[0160] <14> A method for manufacturing a medication device, comprising: a step of preparing a first divided housing and a second divided housing; a step of preparing a rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element having opposing first and second main surfaces, opposing first and second side surfaces, and opposing third and fourth side surfaces; and a step of directly fixing the first main surface of the piezoelectric element to an inner wall surface of the first divided housing.

[0161] 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 110 Ingestion device 20, 111 Piezoelectric element 20a First main surface of piezoelectric element 20b Second main surface of piezoelectric element 20c First side surface of piezoelectric element 20d Second side surface of piezoelectric element 20e Third side surface of piezoelectric element 20f Fourth side surface of piezoelectric element 25 Fixing member 30 Housing 31 Inner wall surface of housing 32, 33 Divided housing 33a Inner wall surface of divided housing 40 Flexible film 40a Main surface (mounting surface) of flexible film 40b Main surface of flexible film 45 Flexible printed circuit board 46 Circuit 47 Power supply circuit 48 Power receiving coil 50 Board 51, 112, 133 Battery 52, 113 Biometric information acquisition unit 53, 114 A / D converter 54 Electronic component 55 IC 60 Sealant 100 Information acquisition system 115 Control unit 116 Storage unit 120 Processing device 130 Receiver 131 Receiving unit 132 Transmitting unit 134 Display unit

Claims

1. A medication device that transmits information by vibrating itself, comprising: a rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element having opposing first and second main surfaces, opposing first and second side surfaces, and opposing third and fourth side surfaces; and a housing that houses the piezoelectric element, wherein the first main surface of the piezoelectric element is directly fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing.

2. The medication device according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible film having the piezoelectric element mounted on its main surface, the flexible film being attached to the inner wall surface of the housing.

3. The medication device according to claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric element is mounted on the flexible film at the second main surface, and the piezoelectric element is disposed between the inner wall surface of the housing and the flexible film.

4. The medication device of claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric element is mounted on the flexible film at the first main surface, and the flexible film is positioned between the inner wall surface of the housing and the piezoelectric element.

5. A dosage device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the flexible film is a flexible printed circuit board provided with a circuit.

6. The medication device of claim 5, wherein the circuit includes a power supply circuit for the piezoelectric element.

7. The medication device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the circuit includes a receiving coil for wireless power supply.

8. A medication device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a sealant provided in an area within the housing on the second main surface side of the piezoelectric element.

9. A medication device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a fixing member arranged between the inner wall surface of the housing and the first main surface of the piezoelectric element, for fixing the first main surface of the piezoelectric element to the inner wall surface of the housing.

10. A dosage device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a plurality of said piezoelectric elements.

11. The medication device of claim 10, comprising three or more piezoelectric elements, wherein the three or more piezoelectric elements are not arranged in the same straight line.

12. A medication device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing has an axisymmetrical shape, such as a sphere or a tablet, and the piezoelectric element is fixed to a part of the housing that includes the apex of a curved surface that forms the maximum radius of curvature.

13. An information acquisition system for a ingested device, comprising: a ingested device according to any one of claims 1 to 12; a processing device; and a receiver that acquires information from the ingested device by receiving an ultrasonic signal emitted from the piezoelectric element and transmits the acquired information to the processing device.

14. A method for manufacturing a medication device, comprising the steps of: preparing a first divided housing and a second divided housing; preparing a rectangular parallelepiped piezoelectric element having opposing first and second main surfaces, opposing first and second side surfaces, and opposing third and fourth side surfaces; and directly fixing the first main surface of the piezoelectric element to the inner wall surface of the first divided housing.

Images