System and method for an ingestible physiological monitor

Abstract

In accordance with some non-limiting examples of the disclosed subject matter, an ingestible system configured to acquire physiological information from an interior of a subject is provided, comprising a substrate and at least one physiological sensor. The at least one physiological sensor can be coupled to the substrate and configured to capture physiological data from at least one of an internal area or an orientation in a digestive tract of the subject. The system can include a controller coupled to the substrate and configured to receive the physiological data and prepare the physiological data for one of transmission from the subject or analysis of the physiological data. The substrate, including the at least one physiological sensor and the controller coupled thereto can be configured to self-orient within the digestive tract of the subject, during ingestion of the system by the subject. The substrate can additionally orient the at least one physiological sensor in the at least one of the internal area or the orientation in the digestive tract of the subject.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ingestible system configured to acquire physiological information from an interior of a subject, the system comprising:
 a capsule;   at least one physiological sensor contained within the capsule and configured to capture physiological data in the subject's digestive tract that is indicative of a cardiac condition and;   a controller contained within the capsule and configured to receive the physiological data and prepare the physiological data for one of transmission from the subject or analysis of the physiological data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication circuit configured to receive the physiological data or analyzed physiological data from the controller to communicate externally from the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a capsule that is configured to disintegrate after being subjected to the digestive tract. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one physiological sensor includes at least one of:
 a first electrode, a second electrode, or a pulse generator, and wherein the pulse generator is configured to emit current pulses through the first or second electrode, to perform impedance measurements across the first electrode and the second electrode;   the first electrode, the second electrode, or both configured to capture electrocardiogram signals;   a pulse oximeter configured to acquire an oxygen saturation measurements; and   a temperature sensor configured to measure an internal temperature of the subject.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the subject's digestive tract comprises the subject's stomach. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pulse oximeter in communication with the controller for capturing a blood oxygenation parameter or a respiration signal.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electrocardiogram sensor in communication with the controller for capturing an electrical signal of a heart.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor configured to measure an internal temperature of the subject.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cardiac condition is atrial fibrillation. 
     
     
         10 . A method of treating a cardiac condition comprising
 obtaining the physiological data from the system of  claim 1  indicative of a cardiac condition; and   determining an appropriate anticoagulation therapy for the subject based on the physiological data.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cardiac condition is stroke. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cardiac condition is atrial fibrillation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the subject has undergone catheter ablation or pharmacological therapy for suppression of atrial fibrillation.