Integrated ingestible event marker system with pharmaceutical product

Abstract

A system and method are provided for securing an ingestible electronic device to a pharmaceutical product without damaging the ingestible electronic device. The product includes the ingestible electronic device being placed on the product in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the ingestible electronic device is placed inside the product. Various embodiments are disclosed in accordance with the present invention for protecting and/or coating of the electronic marker as well as securing the ingestible electronic device onto the product.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A device for placement within a capsule, the device comprising:
 an assembly, including:
 a unit comprising a partial power source; and 
 a non-conductive membrane secured to the unit, wherein the non-conductive membrane is configured to engage an inner wall of the capsule to hold the device in place within the capsule. 
   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a protective coating surrounding the assembly. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a first protective layer secured to an upper surface of the assembly and a second protective layer secured to a lower surface of the assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first protective layer and the second protective layer are secured to each other through a plurality of holes defined in the non-conductive membrane. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first protective layer and the second protective layer are secured to each other at the edge of the assembly and extend beyond the perimeter of the assembly such that the assembly is enclosed within the protective layers. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the unit includes:
 a first material secured to a support structure; and   a second material secured to the support structure and electrically isolated from the first material, such that the first material and the second material represent a chemical voltage potential when in contact with a conducting fluid.   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the support structure comprises a control unit electrically connected to the first material and the second material to control conductance between the first material and the second material, and wherein the control unit encodes information in a current signature by altering the conductance. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the assembly further comprises an adhesive layer to secure the device within the capsule. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured to release the device from the capsule after exposure to a fluid. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the assembly is configured to conform to a shape of the capsule. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the assembly is configured to engage the inner wall to surround at least a portion of the circumference of the capsule. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the capsule comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the assembly is configured to engage the inner wall between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         34 . A device for positioning inside a pharmaceutical product, the device comprising:
 an assembly, including:
 a control unit; 
 a partial power source comprising a first material and a second material, wherein the first material and the second material are electrically coupled to the control unit; and 
 a skirt attached to the control unit, wherein the skirt isolates the first material from the second material, and wherein the skirt is configured to engage an internal surface of the pharmaceutical product. 
   
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 34 , further comprising at least one protective layer secured to the assembly. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the assembly further comprises an adhesive layer to secure the device within the pharmaceutical product, and wherein the adhesive layer is configured to release the device from the pharmaceutical product after exposure to a fluid. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the assembly is configured to conform to a shape of the pharmaceutical product. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 34 , wherein the pharmaceutical product comprises a capsule, and wherein the assembly is configured to engage the internal surface to surround at least a portion of the circumference of the capsule between a first end and a second end of the capsule. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 34 , further comprising a protective coating configured to dissolve after exposure to a fluid to delay activation of the device. 
     
     
         40 . A device for inclusion with a capsule, the device comprising:
 an assembly, including:
 a control unit electrically coupled to a partial power source; and 
 a non-conductive membrane surrounding the control unit, wherein the non-conductive membrane is configured to engage a surface of the capsule; 
   wherein the assembly engages the surface to surround at least a portion of the circumference of the capsule between a first end and a second end of the capsule.   
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the assembly further comprises an adhesive layer to secure the device to the capsule, and wherein the adhesive layer is configured to release the device from the capsule after exposure to a fluid.