Systems, methods, and devices addressing the gastro-intestinal tract

Abstract

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to an implantable device, systems, and methods related thereto, that includes at least one sensor and/or therapeutic agent delivery depot. In one embodiment, the system and device include means for detecting general or specific biological agents in a subject's intestinal tract, and utilizing the information from the detection for determining the timing and content of any therapeutic treatment needed by the subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device, comprising:
 at least one reversibly inflatable bladder less than or approximately equal to 10 mm in size;   at least one depot including one or more therapeutic or nutraceutical agent reservoirs; and   at least one activatable switch operably coupled to at least one actuator configured to deflate the reversibly inflatable bladder upon activation of the switch.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reversibly inflatable bladder is exterior to the depot. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reversibly inflatable bladder is configured, when at least partially inflated, to secure the device within a lumen of the gastro-intestinal tract of a subject's body. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one sensor. 
     
     
         6 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more therapeutic or nutraceutical agent reservoirs include at least one valve. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one valve is operably coupled to control circuitry and configured to dispense at least one therapeutic or nutraceutical agent from the one or more therapeutic or nutraceutical agent reservoirs. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each therapeutic or nutraceutical agent reservoir includes a different agent than at least one other agent reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each therapeutic or nutraceutical agent reservoir includes a different agent than any other agent reservoir. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more therapeutic or nutraceutical agent reservoirs include control circuitry directed by at least one of a timer, external command, continuous flow, or signal from at least one sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a sensor internal to the device. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a sensor external to the device. 
     
     
         15 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , further including control circuitry operably coupled to at least one of component of the device. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein at least one component of the device includes at least one of the depot, actuator, reservoir, switch, sensor, light source, power source, or pump. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured for at least one of insertion into a subject's body or removal therefrom by way of a catheter. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured for insertion into a subject's body by way of self-propulsion. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the device includes at least one fin, mobile leg, or revolving belt for self-propulsion. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one drainage channel continuous with the outer surface of the device. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one drainage channel comprising an interior lumen of the device. 
     
     
         28 .- 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one outer membrane enclosing the reversibly inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reversibly inflatable bladder is insertable in a collapsed state, and inflated subsequent to insertion into a subject's body. 
     
     
         32 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one receiver, transmitter, or transceiver. 
     
     
         36 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one agent reservoir of the depot is refillable. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one refillable agent reservoir of the depot includes at least one inlet for refill of at least one agent by way of catheter, capsule, or pill. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one intestinal wall-attachment component. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the intestinal wall-attachment component includes at least one of mechanical or chemical means for attachment to the intestinal wall of a subject. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the intestinal wall-attachment component includes at least one of a screw, suture, staple, clip, anchor, hook, brace, reversibly inflatable bladder, projection, umbrella connector, barb, latch, or adhesive. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one power source. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one light source. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a port configured for inflating the reversibly inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 1 , further including at least one rigid or semi-rigid frame. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the rigid or semi-rigid frame includes at least one collapsible joint. 
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one collapsible joint is operably coupled to control circuitry. 
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one collapsible joint is operably coupled to at least one receiver. 
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 50 , wherein the at least one collapsible joint is operably coupled to at least one transmitter. 
     
     
         54 . A system, comprising:
 a device including at least one reversibly inflatable bladder less than or approximately equal to 10 mm in size;   at least one depot including one or more therapeutic or nutraceutical agent reservoirs;   at least one activatable switch operably coupled to at least one actuator configured to deflate the reversibly inflatable bladder upon activation of the switch; and   in operable communication with at least one computing device.   
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 54 , further including at least one sensor. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one sensor includes a sensor external to the device. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one sensor is located in a second section of the gastro-intestinal tract of a subject's body. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one sensor is located in the subject's body outside of the gastro-intestinal tract. 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one sensor is located in a room where the subject is also located. 
     
     
         60 . A method, comprising:
 inserting at least one device into the gastro-intestinal tract of a subject, the device including at least one sensor configured to sense at least one biochemical or biophysical parameter of the subject and at least one actuator operably coupled to at least one depot including one or more therapeutic or nutraceutical agents;   sensing at least one biochemical or biophysical parameter of the subject;   responsive to sensing the at least one biochemical or biophysical parameter of the subject, actuating at least one actuator operably coupled to the at least one depot for release of one or more therapeutic or nutraceutical agents when a threshold has been satisfied.