Swallowable Sensor Device Acoustic Communication Molding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional swallowable sensor devices are too large for many patients to ingest safely and can become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract, and they use potentially harmful radio frequency signals for communication, causing patient apprehension.

Innovation Solution

A smaller swallowable sensor device using acoustic frequencies for communication, with internal components protected by a molding technique and exposed diagnostic/treatment components for data collection and treatment delivery, ensuring safety and efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional swallowable sensor devices are made large enough to include all necessary components, then device functionality is improved, but the device cannot be safely swallowed and may become lodged in the gastrointestinal tract

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidswallowability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple functional modules including a sensor module, communication module, power module, and treatment module. Each module is independently manufactured and then assembled into a compact integrated device that can be safely swallowed while maintaining full functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Internal components are nested within each other to minimize overall device size. The sensor, communication electronics, power source, and treatment delivery mechanisms are arranged in a compact nested configuration that fits within a swallowable form factor while preserving all necessary functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of information

If radio frequency signals are used for communication, then data transmission capability is improved, but potential harm to human tissue increases causing patient apprehension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidpotential harm to human tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces radio frequency electromagnetic communication with acoustic wave communication. The device uses acoustic transducers to transmit and receive data through sound waves, eliminating the need for RF signals while maintaining bidirectional communication capability between the swallowable device and external systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of RF radiation into a beneficial approach by using acoustic waves that are non-ionizing and generally considered safe for human tissue exposure, thereby eliminating patient apprehension while preserving communication functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Measurement precision

If internal components are exposed to the external environment for diagnostic functions, then diagnostic capability is improved, but component reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidcomponent reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the device have different levels of environmental exposure. Sensitive electronic components are enclosed in protective housings, while sensor elements and treatment delivery interfaces are deliberately exposed to the gastrointestinal environment to enable diagnostic and therapeutic functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Protective coatings and biocompatible materials are used as intermediaries between internal components and the external gastrointestinal environment. These intermediary layers protect components from corrosion and damage while allowing sensors to detect physiological parameters and treatment mechanisms to function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device can be safely ingested and navigates through the gastrointestinal tract without lodging, using acoustic frequencies to transmit data and deliver treatments while protecting internal components from the external environment.

Implementation Method 1

The swallowable sensor device uses acoustic frequencies, rather than RF frequencies, to communicate with an external device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic frequency transmission: Acoustics

Data Source

PatentUS8869390B2System and method for manufacturing a swallowable sensor device

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 ZO DIAGNOSTICS PTY LTD

AI summary

Methods and systems for manufacturing a swallowable sensor device are disclosed. Such a method includes mechanically coupling a plurality of internal components, wherein the plurality of internal components includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of projections extending radially outward. A cavity is filled with a potting material, and the mechanically coupled components are inserted into the cavity. The cavity may be pre-filled with the potting material, or may be filled after the mechanically coupled components have been inserted therein. A distal end of each projection abuts against a wall of the cavity thereby preventing the potting material from covering each distal end. The cavity is sealed with a cap causing the potting material to harden within the sealed cavity to form a housing of the swallowable sensor device, wherein the distal end of each projection is exposed to an external environment of the swallowable sensor device.