System and method for wireless biosensor monitoring

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring a physical parameter of a subject is provided. The system may include a casing with a sensor coupled to the casing. The sensor may be configured to detect a physical parameter of the subject. The physical parameter may include a chemical parameter of the subject. The system includes an endoscopic clip coupled to the casing and may include a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal via a wireless medium. The signal encodes the physical parameter of the subject detected by the sensor and the wireless transmitter is electronically connected to the endoscopic clip. The system may further include a monitor configured to communicate with the wireless transmitter for receiving the signal encoding the physical parameter of the subject.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A medical sensor system for a subject, the system comprising:
 a first sensor device including:
 a first casing; and 
 a first fastening mechanism coupled to the first casing for securing the first sensor device within a gastrointestinal tract (GI) of the subject at a first location; 
   a second sensor device including:
 a second casing; and 
 a second fastening mechanism coupled to the second casing for securing the second sensor device within the gastrointestinal tract (GI) of the subject at a second location different than the first location; 
   at least one monitor configured to be arranged external to the subject and to communicate with first sensor device and the second sensor device, and   wherein the at least one monitor is configured to cooperate in triangulation of a position of the first sensor device and the second sensor device.   
     
     
         22 . The medical sensor system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one monitor is configured to cooperate in triangulation of the position of the first sensor device and the second sensor device by measuring the power of a radio frequency (RF) signal from each of the first sensor device, and the second sensor device. 
     
     
         23 . The medical sensor system of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one monitor is a first monitor, and further comprising a second monitor in communication with the first sensor device and the second sensor device, and
 wherein the first monitor and the second monitor are configured to triangulate the position of the first sensor device and the position of the second sensor device.   
     
     
         24 . The medical sensor system of  claim 21 , wherein the first sensor device and the second sensor device are each configured to sense at least one of:
 bleeding;   pH;   pressure;   a bodily fluid that is tagged with a fluorescent biomarker; or   a targeted biochemical.   
     
     
         25 . The medical sensor system of  claim 21 , wherein the first fastening mechanism is a first endoscopic clip having articulable arms, and
 wherein the second fastening mechanism is a second endoscopic clip having articulable arms.   
     
     
         26 . The medical sensor system of  claim 25 , wherein the first endoscopic clip is configured to be operated using an endoscope to secure the first sensor device at the first location with the GI tract, and
 wherein the second endoscopic clip is configured to be operated using the endoscope to secure the second sensor device at the second location within the GI tract.   
     
     
         27 . The medical sensor system of  claim 25 , wherein the first endoscopic clip is configured to reattach itself within and to the GI tract. 
     
     
         28 . The medical sensor system of  claim 25 , wherein the first sensor device is configured to be ingested by the subject, and
 wherein after the first sensor device has been ingested, the first sensor device is configured to attach itself, via the endoscopic clip, within the GI tract at a predetermined location of the GI tract.   
     
     
         29 . The medical sensor system of  claim 21 , wherein the first sensor device includes:
 a white light emitting diode (LED); and   wherein the first sensor device is configured to detect the color of reflected light at the first location within the GI tract.   
     
     
         30 . The medical sensor system of  claim 21 , wherein the first sensor device includes:
 a colored (LED); and   multiple photodetectors that are sensitive to different wavelengths and are configured to detect the peak of an emission spectrum.   
     
     
         31 . The medical sensor system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one monitor is in communication with at least one of: a cell phone; a computer; or a server, and
 wherein the monitor is configured to:
 receive, from the first sensor device, sensor data; 
 determine, from a review of the sensor data, a danger condition; and 
 alert the subject, based on the determination of the danger condition. 
   
     
     
         32 . The medical sensor system of  claim 21 , wherein the first sensor device includes a first RFID chip that defines a first identification, and the second sensor device includes a second RFID chip that defines a second identification, and
 wherein the at least one monitor is configured to:
 wirelessly query the first sensor device; and 
 receive, from the first sensor device, the first identification. 
   
     
     
         33 . A medical sensor system for a subject, the system comprising:
 a sensor device including:   a casing;   a fastening clip coupled to the casing that is configured to fix the sensor device within and at a location of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the subject; and   a monitor external to the subject and in communication with the sensor device, the monitor being configured to at least one of:
 wirelessly control the sensor device; or 
 wirelessly program the sensor device. 
   
     
     
         34 . The medical sensor system of  claim 33 , wherein the sensor device includes:
 an electrical heating system that is configured to cauterize a wound, or   a drug delivery system for releasing therapeutic substances.   
     
     
         35 . The medical sensor system of  claim 33 , wherein the fastening clip is configured to be fixed proximate to an ulcer, and
 wherein the sensor device is configured to detach from the ulcer and pass through the GI tract, when the ulcer heals.   
     
     
         36 . The medical sensor system of  claim 33 , wherein the sensor device is configured to monitor GI re-bleeding from a treated wound. 
     
     
         37 . The medical sensor system of  claim 33 , wherein the sensor device is configured to:
 measure the pH at the location of the GI tract; and   detect changes in acidity at the location of the GI tract.   
     
     
         38 . The medical sensor system of  claim 37 , wherein the sensor device is configured to detect whether or not the sensor device has migrated away from its fixing location within the GI tract, based on at least one of:
 the sensor device detecting changes in pH using a pH sensor; or   the bicarbonate level sensed by the sensor device.   
     
     
         39 . A method of monitoring a gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject, the method comprising:
 inserting an endoscope and a sensor device within the GI tract of the subject, the sensor device having a casing with a fastening clip coupled thereto;   using the endoscope, clamping an ulcer with the fastening clip of the sensor device;   detecting, using the sensor device, bleeding within the GI tract; and   transmitting, using the sensor device, a notification to a monitor in communication with the sensor device and external to the subject, based on the detection of bleeding within the GI tract.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising cauterizing the ulcer based on the detection of bleeding within the GI tract.