Highly reliable ingestible event markers and methods for using the same

Abstract

Ingestible event markers having high reliability are provided. Aspects of the ingestible event markers include a support, a control circuit, a first electrochemical material, a second electrochemical material and a membrane. In addition, the ingestible event markers may include one or more components that impart high reliability to the ingestible event marker. Further, the ingestible event markers may include an active agent. In some aspects, the active agent, such as a pharmaceutically active agent or a diagnostic agent may be associated with the membrane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A highly reliable event marker comprising:
 a support;   a control circuit physically associated with the support to control the highly reliable event marker;   a first electrochemical material physically associated with the support and electrically coupled to the control circuit;   a second electrochemical material electrically coupled to the control circuit and physically associated with the support at a location different from the location of the first material, such that the first and second electrochemical materials are electrically isolated from each other; and   a membrane physically associated to the support and positioned relative to the first electrochemical and second electrochemical materials to generate a virtual dipole length larger than an actual dipole length defined by the first and the second electrochemical materials.   
     
     
         2 . The highly reliable event marker of  claim 1  wherein the control circuit controls the voltage between the first material and the second electrochemical materials. 
     
     
         3 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker according to  claim 1  wherein the first and the second electrochemical materials are selected to provide a voltage potential difference when in contact with a conducting liquid at a target physiological site, wherein the potential difference provides power for communication. 
     
     
         4 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker according to  claim 1  wherein the membrane is a planar structure having an outer edge that extends beyond the edge of the first and second electrochemical materials. 
     
     
         5 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker according to  claim 1  wherein the membrane comprises at least one of multiple coatings and multiple layers 
     
     
         6 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker of  claim 1  further comprising at least one controlled activation element. 
     
     
         7 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of a non-active agent salt, an anti-foaming agent, a micro-environment modification agent and a soluble component having a weight equal or greater to 90% of the overall weight of the highly reliable event marker. 
     
     
         8 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker according to  claim 1  wherein the membrane has at least one of opposing curved edges, one or more projections, or one or more deployable elements. 
     
     
         9 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker of  claim 1  further comprising a weight non-centrically associated with the membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker of  claim 1  further comprising adding a water-swellable component non-centrically associated with the membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker according to  claim 1 , wherein the highly reliable event marker is physically associated with an active agent. 
     
     
         12 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker according to Claim 1   1 , wherein the active agent is physically associated with the membrane. 
     
     
         13 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker according to  claim 11 , wherein the membrane releases the active agent in a phased manner. 
     
     
         14 . The highly reliable ingestible event marker according to  claim 11 , wherein the active agent comprises at least one fluid passageway. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a highly reliable ingestible event marker comprising:
 a support; 
 a control circuit physically associated with the support to control the highly reliable event marker; 
 a first electrochemical material physically associated with the support and electrically coupled to the control circuit; 
 a second electrochemical material electrically coupled to the control circuit and physically associated with the support at a location different from the location of the first material, such that the first and second electrochemical materials are electrically isolated from each other; and 
 a membrane physically associated to the support and positioned relative to the first electrochemical and second electrochemical materials to generate a virtual dipole length larger than an actual dipole length defined by the first and the second electrochemical materials. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the highly reliable ingestible event marker is associated with an active agent. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the active agent is physically associated with the membrane. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the highly reliable event marker further comprising at least one of a non-active agent salt, an anti-foaming agent, a micro-environment modification agent and a soluble component having a weight equal or greater to 90% of the overall weight of the highly reliable event marker. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the membrane is a planar structure having an outer edge that extends beyond the edge of the first and second electrochemical materials. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the membrane has at least one of opposing curved edges, one or more projections, or one or more deployable elements.