Communication system with partial power source

Abstract

The present disclosure includes ingestible devices. In some examples, an ingestible device is presented that includes a framework, a control device secured to the framework, and a partial power source. The partial power source may include a first digestible material secured to the framework and electrically coupled to the control device, and a second digestible material electrically isolated from and dissimilar to the first digestible material, electrically coupled to the control device, and secured to the framework. The partial power source may be configured to provide power to the control device when the first and second digestible materials come in contact with a conductive fluid. The control device, after being provided power by the first and second digestible materials, may be configured to alter conductance between the first and second digestible materials to produce a current signature through the conductive fluid that is detectable by a receiver.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An ingestible device comprising:
 a framework;   a control device secured to the framework;   a partial power source comprising:
 a first digestible material secured to the framework and electrically coupled to the control device; 
 a second digestible material electrically isolated from and dissimilar to the first digestible material, electrically coupled to the control device, and secured to the framework; 
 the partial power source configured to provide power to the control device when the first and second digestible materials come in contact with a conductive fluid; 
   wherein the control device, after being provided power by the first and second digestible materials, is configured to alter conductance between the first and second digestible materials to produce a current signature through the conductive fluid that is detectable by a receiver.   
     
     
         12 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the control device is further configured to alter the conductance between the first and second digestible materials to encode detectable information in the current signature. 
     
     
         13 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the first digestible material comprises an anode material and the second digestible material comprises a cathode material. 
     
     
         14 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the first digestible material comprises a metal material and the second digestible material comprises a salt material. 
     
     
         15 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the first digestible material comprises a different electrochemical potential than the second digestible material. 
     
     
         16 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , further comprising a first adhesion layer positioned in between the framework and the first digestible material, and a second adhesion layer positioned in between the framework and the second digestible material. 
     
     
         17 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the control device comprises circuitry for performing control logic to alter the conductance between the first and second digestible materials. 
     
     
         18 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , further comprising a shielding material covering the framework, the control device, and the partial power source, such that at least a portion of the shielding material must be dissolved before the conductive fluid contacts the first and second digestible materials. 
     
     
         19 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the current signature is a unique current signature that uniquely identifies the ingestible device when the unique current signature is received by the receiver. 
     
     
         20 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , further comprising a membrane secured to the framework and positioned between the first and second digestible materials, the membrane configured to extend a current path of the conductive fluid between the first and second digestible materials. 
     
     
         21 . The ingestible device of  claim 20 , wherein the membrane is nonconductive. 
     
     
         22 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the first digestible material comprises an uneven surface that increases available surface area to be contacted with the conductive fluid. 
     
     
         23 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the control device is configured to alter the conductance by controlling a rate of ionic exchange between the first and second digestible materials. 
     
     
         24 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the control device is configured to alter the conductance by controlling a current flow magnitude between the first and second digestible materials. 
     
     
         25 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the first digestible material is positioned on an opposite side of the framework relative to the second digestible material. 
     
     
         26 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein the control device comprises a memory storing information for producing the current signature. 
     
     
         27 . The ingestible device of  claim 11 , wherein further comprising a sensor module configured to gather information in an environment after the ingestible device is ingested. 
     
     
         28 . The ingestible device of  claim 27 , wherein the sensor module comprises a pH sensor module and a third material connecting the pH sensor module to the control device. 
     
     
         29 . The ingestible device of  claim 28 , further comprising a non-conductive barrier configured to electrically isolate the third material from the first digestible material. 
     
     
         30 . The ingestible device of  claim 29 , wherein the pH sensor module is configured to measure a voltage potential difference between the third material and the first digestible material.