Ingestible Therapy Activator System and Method

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for providing instructions to a therapeutic device, the system comprising:
 an ingestible unit comprising:
 a housing; and 
 an output module secured within the housing for providing an effector instruction, 
 wherein the ingestible unit provides the effector instruction to the output module upon activation in response to occurrence of a desired event; and 
   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.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the housing is hermetically sealed and wherein the ingestible unit further comprises a power source secured within the housing and electrically coupled to the output module for powering the output module. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the housing dissolves upon contact with the surrounding fluid of a desired target site to release the output module and wherein the output 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 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. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the current signature is produced through controlled ionic emission. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ingestible unit further comprises an oral medication. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ingestible unit further comprises a second output module secured within the housing to provide a second effector instruction. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the responder module comprises at least one of a hardware component and a software component. 
     
     
         8 . A method for providing instructions to a therapy unit using an ingestible device, the method comprising the steps of:
 programming an effector module of the ingestible device;   ingesting the ingestible device;   activating the ingestible device upon reaching a target site, wherein the target site is characterized by the presence of conducting fluid;   sending an effector instruction via the effector module; and   receiving and processing, via a responder module associated with the therapeutic device, the effector instruction, resulting in a response by the therapeutic device.   
     
     
         9 . A system for controlling therapy delivery, the system comprising:
 a capsule;   an ionic emission unit positioned within the capsule for producing a current flow through ionic emission, wherein the ionic emission module includes a pair of materials that produce a voltage potential when exposed to a conducting fluid;   a conductance control module positioned between the pair of materials and electrically coupled thereto for controlling conductance to produce a unique current signature that carries an effector instruction.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a responder module in communication with a therapeutic device, wherein the responder module receives and processes the effector instruction. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the effector instruction alters at least an operation of the therapeutic device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the pair of materials are separated by a non-conducting material that increases the path of the current flow.