Gastrointestinal Sensor Implantation System

Abstract

A device includes an orally-administrable capsule and a tissue capture device coupled to the orally-administrable capsule. The tissue capture device is configured to connect to gastrointestinal tissue within a body. The tissue capture device is configured to detach from the orally-administrable capsule after the tissue capture device connects to the gastrointestinal tissue. A device includes an orally-administrable capsule, a tissue capture device coupled to the orally-administrable capsule, a chamber within the orally-administrable capsule, and an actuator. The tissue capture device includes multiple fasteners configured to connect the tissue capture device to gastrointestinal tissue within a body. The chamber is configured to draw gastrointestinal tissue towards the fasteners when a fluid pressure of the chamber is decreased. The actuator is configured to cause a decrease of the fluid pressure of the chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 an orally-administrable capsule; and   a tissue capture device coupled to the orally-administrable capsule, the tissue capture device configured to connect to gastrointestinal tissue within a body,   wherein the tissue capture device is configured to detach from the orally-administrable capsule after the tissue capture device connects to the gastrointestinal tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tissue capture device includes a plurality of fasteners configured to connect the tissue capture device to the gastrointestinal tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each fastener of the plurality of fasteners is pointed inwardly from a first surface of the tissue capture device. 
     
     
         4 . The device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each fastener of the plurality of fasteners is disposed at an angle ranging between thirty degrees and eighty degrees with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to the first surface. 
     
     
         5 . The device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein:
 the tissue capture device defines a receiving portion;   the plurality of fasteners is disposed proximate to the receiving portion; and   the receiving portion has a diameter ranging from 3 millimeters to 7 millimeters.   
     
     
         6 . The device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the diameter ranges from 4 millimeters to 6 millimeters. 
     
     
         7 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tissue capture device includes a biometric sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tissue capture device is further configured to facilitate deployment of a sustained release drug. 
     
     
         9 . The device as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising a catheter configured to release the sustained release drug. 
     
     
         10 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a chamber within the orally-administrable capsule,   wherein the chamber is configured to draw gastrointestinal tissue towards a plurality of fasteners disposed within the tissue capture device when a fluid pressure of the chamber is decreased.   
     
     
         11 . The device as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an actuator configured to cause a decrease of the fluid pressure of the chamber; and   control circuitry coupled to the actuator,   wherein the control circuitry is configured to trigger the actuator to cause the decrease of the fluid pressure of the chamber at a selected time.   
     
     
         12 . A device comprising:
 an orally-administrable capsule;   a tissue capture device coupled to the orally-administrable capsule, wherein the tissue capture device includes a plurality of fasteners configured to connect the tissue capture device to gastrointestinal tissue within a body;   a chamber within the orally-administrable capsule, wherein the chamber is configured to draw gastrointestinal tissue towards the plurality of fasteners when a fluid pressure of the chamber is decreased; and   an actuator configured to cause a decrease of the fluid pressure of the chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 control circuitry coupled to the actuator,   wherein the control circuitry is configured to trigger the actuator to cause the decrease of the fluid pressure of the chamber at a selected time.   
     
     
         14 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each fastener of the plurality of fasteners is disposed at an angle ranging between thirty degrees and eighty degrees with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to a top surface of the tissue capture device. 
     
     
         15 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein:
 the tissue capture device defines a receiving portion;   the plurality of fasteners is disposed proximate to the receiving portion; and   the receiving portion has a diameter ranging from 3 millimeters to 7 millimeters.   
     
     
         16 . The device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the diameter ranges from 4 millimeters to 6 millimeters. 
     
     
         17 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the tissue capture device includes a biometric sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the tissue capture device is further configured to facilitate deployment of a sustained release drug. 
     
     
         19 . The device as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising a catheter configured to release the sustained release drug. 
     
     
         20 . The device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each fastener of the plurality of fasteners comprises a micro-needle.