System for ingestion event monitoring and method for detecting ingestion events with high accuracy

Abstract

System and method for ingestion event detection and monitoring are disclosed. The system comprises: an ingestible microsensor configured to generate a signal representing an ingestion event upon ingestion and contact with stomach fluid of a patient; and a reader device positioned external to the patient and configured to detect the signal representing the ingestion event with at least 95% accuracy.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A system for ingestion event monitoring, the system comprising:
 an ingestible microsensor configured to generate a signal indicating an ingestion event upon ingestion and contact with stomach fluid of a patient; and   a reader device positioned external to the patient and configured to detect the signal indicating the ingestion event with at least 95% accuracy.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising a remote database configured to receive data from the reader device via a communication network in real time, and generate and transmit one or more messages at least to the patient based upon received data from the reader device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the ingestible microsensor comprises circuitry configured to generate power upon being exposed to the stomach fluid of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the ingestible microsensor is configured to generate and transmit the signal using the power over a period of time following ingestion. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the ingestible microsensor is configured to be associated with a unique identifier, and the signal comprises data indicating the unique identifier. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the reader device requires no skin contact with the patient. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the period of time is approximately 30 minutes. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the reader device is configured to upload data stored thereon to a software system via at least one of a cellular communication protocol, a bluetooth communication protocol, and a universal serial bus. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the data received by the remote database from the reader device are encrypted. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the data from the reader device comprise data indicating a unique identifier associated with the reader device, an antenna connection status, an on-charger status, a reader device battery status, and reader device status messages. 
     
     
         14 . A method for ingestion event monitoring, the method comprising:
 embedding an ingestible microsensor in an oral dosage form to be consumed by a subject; and   having the subject ingest the oral dosage form;   wherein the ingestible microsensor is configured to generate a signal indicating an ingestion event upon contact with stomach fluid of the subject, and transmit the signal to a reader device positioned external to the subject, wherein the reader device is configured to detect the signal with at least 95% accuracy.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 configuring a remote database to receive data from the reader device via a communication network in real time; and   generating and transmitting, by the remote database, one or more messages at least to the patient based upon received data from the reader device.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 generating, by circuitry of the ingestible microsensor, power after the ingestible microsensor is exposed to the stomach fluid of the patient; and   generating and transmitting, by the ingestible microsensor, the signal using the power over a period of time following ingestion, wherein the period of time is approximately 30 minutes.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising associating a unique identifier with the ingestible microsensor, wherein the signal comprises data indicating the unique identifier. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the reader device requires no skin contact with the patient. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the signal is a radio frequency signal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising uploading data stored on the reader device to a software system via at least one of a cellular communication protocol, a bluetooth communication protocol, and a universal serial bus. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the data received by the remote database from the reader device are encrypted. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the data from the reader device comprise data indicating a unique identifier associated with the reader device, an antenna connection status, an on-charger status, a reader device battery status, and reader device status messages.