Ingestible Device Partial Power Source Using Dissimilar Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ingestible medical devices require internal power sources, which are costly and potentially harmful, and often include external antennas that can be damaged or cause issues during in-vivo use.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses dissimilar materials positioned within a conducting fluid to create a voltage potential difference, powering control logic and eliminating the need for internal power sources and antennas, with components that are ingestible and digestible to minimize side effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If internal power sources are used in ingestible devices, then the devices can operate independently, but the cost increases and potential harm to the surrounding environment occurs if the power source leaks or is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operationVSAvoidenvironmental harm from power source leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the internal power source from the ingestible device, extracting the problematic component that causes environmental harm. The device is redesigned to be passively powered by external electromagnetic fields, eliminating batteries and power sources that could leak or cause damage inside the body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary power transmission mechanism using electromagnetic fields and antennas. Instead of direct internal power sources, power is transmitted through the body tissue from external to internal devices, with the electromagnetic field acting as the intermediary carrier of energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If external antennas are added to the device, then communication capability is improved, but the risk of antenna damage or causing problems during in-vivo use increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidantenna durability in-vivo

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the antenna system into separate components: an external transmitting antenna and an internal receiving antenna. This separation allows the external antenna to be robust and reusable, while the internal antenna can be designed as a delicate, biocompatible structure that is safe for in-vivo use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The internal antenna is designed using flexible, thin-film structures that can conform to the body's internal environment without causing mechanical damage. These flexible antenna structures are more tolerant of movement and less likely to cause tissue damage compared to rigid antenna designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Duration of action of moving object

If internal power sources are used in ingestible devices, then continuous operation is enabled, but the cost of production increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to harvest power from the body's own electromagnetic environment and external transmitted fields, making it self-powered without expensive internal batteries. The passive power reception design reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating complex power management circuits and battery components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively powers control logic within the device using a voltage potential generated by dissimilar materials in contact with conducting fluids, providing a reliable and safe means for event detection without internal power sources or external antennas.

Implementation Method 1

dissimilar materials positioned on the framework such that when a conducting fluid comes into contact with the dissimilar materials, a voltage potential difference is created

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGalvanic potential difference: Galvanometer

Data Source

PatentUS11229378B2Communication system with enhanced partial power source and method of manufacturing same

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 OTSUKA PHARM CO LTD

AI summary

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.