Electromechanical ingestible device for delivery of a dispensable substance

Abstract

Ingestible devices capable of delivering a dispensable substance, such as, for example, a therapeutic agent, as well as related components, systems and methods, are disclosed. A removably attachable storage reservoir configured to be used with an ingestible device and capable of storing dispensable substance, such as, for example, a therapeutic agent, as well as related components, systems and methods, are also disclosed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An ingestible device, comprising:
 a dispensable substance within a housing;   at least one nozzle in the housing;   a force generator in the housing configured to exert pressure on the dispensable substance; and   a burst disk having a first state wherein the burst disk prevents the dispensable substance from moving out of the housing and the burst disk having a second state wherein the burst disk allows the dispensable substance to move out of the housing through the nozzle under pressure exerted by the force generator.   
     
     
         2 . The ingestible device of  claim 1  wherein the force generator generates a pressure in the dispensable substance sufficient to change the burst disk to the second state and to drive a jet of the dispensable substance out of the nozzle after the ingestible device is ingested and the burst disk is in the second state. 
     
     
         3 . The ingestible device of  claim 1  wherein the nozzle extends radially outward through a sidewall of the housing in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The ingestible device of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of nozzles radially spaced apart to balance reaction forces. 
     
     
         5 . The ingestible device of  claim 1  wherein the dispensable substance is in a storage reservoir formed between a slidable piston and inner walls of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The ingestible device of  claim 1  wherein the force generator generates a pressure of 100-360 psi in the dispensable substance. 
     
     
         7 . An ingestible device, comprising:
 a dispensable substance within a housing;   one or more nozzles in the housing;   a force generator in the housing; and   a bioabsorbable plug in each nozzle, the bioabsorbable plug having a first state configured to prevent the dispensable substance from exiting the ingestible device via the nozzle, and the bioabsorbable plug having a second state configured to allow the dispensable substance to move out of the ingestible device in a jet through the nozzle under pressure exerted on the dispensable substance by the force generator.   
     
     
         8 . The ingestible device of  claim 7  wherein the bioabsorbable plug comprises an enteric material. 
     
     
         9 . The ingestible device of  claim 7  wherein the bioabsorbable plug dissolves in the presence of intestinal luminal fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The ingestible device of  claim 7  wherein the nozzle extends radially outward through a sidewall of the housing in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The ingestible device of  claim 7  comprising a plurality of nozzles radially equally spaced apart. 
     
     
         12 . The ingestible device of  claim 7  wherein the dispensable substance is in a storage reservoir formed between a slidable piston and inner walls of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The ingestible device of  claim 7  wherein the force generator generates a pressure of 100-360 psi in the dispensable substance. 
     
     
         14 . An ingestible device, comprising:
 a storage reservoir in a housing, the storage reservoir holding a dispensable substance, the storage reservoir formed between a slidable piston and inner walls of the housing;   one or more nozzles in the housing, each nozzle extending radially outward through a sidewall of the housing in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing;   a force generator in the housing configured to pressurize the dispensable substance after the ingestible device is ingested; and   an occluder having a first state configured to prevent the dispensable substance from exiting the ingestible device via the nozzles and the occluder having a second state configured to allow the dispensable substance to exit the ingestible device from each of the nozzles in a jet capable of penetrating a mucosa or epithelial layer of small intestines.   
     
     
         15 . The ingestible device of  claim 14  wherein the force generator exerts force on the slidable piston which generates a pressure of 100-360 psi in the dispensable substance. 
     
     
         16 . The ingestible device of  claim 14  comprising a plurality of nozzles equally spaced apart.