According to 35 USC 119, this application claims priority from U.S. provisional application entitled "Method, Device and System for supplying Chain management of Ingestable events Markers", entitled Mark Zdeblick, Serial No.61/258,182, filed on 11, 4, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein.
Detailed Description
Referring now to fig. 1A, a device 10a is shown positioned within a pharmaceutical product 12a, such as a pill or tablet, the device 10a being fully packaged and tested by a probe, as described in detail below. According to aspects of the present invention, the device 10a may be located within the product 12a or secured to a surface of the product 12a, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. The device 10a includes a control module for communication and a memory for storing information such as identity. Probing of device 10a is performed to ensure, for example, that device 10a is still functioning. The detection utilizes a capacitive coupling approach, where there is capacitive coupling between the first detection capacitor plate 20a and the first metal or material 14a on one side of the device 10a and the second detection capacitor plate 30a and the second metal or material 16a on the other side of the device 10 a. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, plate 20a is electrically isolated from plate 30a, even though the isolation is not specifically shown. Various ways of detecting using capacitive coupling may be implemented, such as metal, metal pads, etc. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, for example, there is capacitive coupling between material 14a and capacitive plate 20a and material 16a and capacitive plate 30 a. Plates 20a and 30a are probes that can communicate with device 10a through capacitive coupling. The boards 20a and 30a are electrically connected to a system (not shown) capable of receiving information from the boards 20a and 30a and processing the information. Also, according to aspects of the present invention, the product may be coated with a non-conductive material.
According to aspects of the present invention, there are various components that are included as part of the device 10. For example, the device 10 may be an Ingestible Event Marker (IEM) with a unique identity that can be read using capacitive coupling before ingestion and communicated using transconductance after consumption. Aspects of IEM are disclosed in U.S. patent application 12/564,017 entitled "COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH PARTIAL POWER SOURCE" filed on 21.9.2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Referring now to fig. 1B, a device 10B is shown as part of a product 12B in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Device 10b includes a first material 14b and a second material 16b deposited on the surface of device 10b for forming a capacitive connection. Materials 14b and 16b are in communication with a control module of device 10 b. Probes 20b and 30b are capacitively coupled to materials 14b and 16b, respectively. Thus, when probes 20b and 30b are powered with an AC (alternating current) voltage, materials 14b and 16b are capacitively coupled to probes 20b and 30 b. Thus, information stored in the memory of device 10b associated with device 10b can be encoded by the control module of device 10b and communicated to the probe using capacitive coupling.
Referring now to FIG. 1C, a device 10C is shown secured to a product 12C in accordance with the present invention. Device 10c includes first material 14c and second material 16c deposited around the perimeter of edge (skert) 18c of device 10c, and at least a portion of materials 14c and 16c are deposited on edge 18 c. Furthermore, materials 14c and 16c are coupled to the control module of device 10c to allow communication with the control module of device 10c via capacitive coupling to communicate the identity of device 10c to the system via probes 20c and 30 c. According to one aspect of the invention, materials 14c and 16c are conductive inks, such as swallowable graphite or carbon-based inks or glues. Probes 20c and 30c are powered by an AC power source and when brought into proximity with materials 14c and 16c, probes 20c and 30c can communicate with device 10c through materials 14c and 16c, respectively, using capacitive coupling. Moreover, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, probes 22c and 32c are located at different positions proximate materials 14c and 16c, thereby enabling selective positioning of device 10c or thereby enabling probing of the device from another direction. Once probes 20c and 30c are powered with an AC voltage and device 10c is positioned proximate probes 20c and 30c, materials 14c and 16c can be used to transfer information between device 10c and the system connected to probes 20c and 30c through capacitive coupling.
Referring now to FIG. 1D, a device 10D is shown in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. Conductive material 14d is deposited on the surface of material 19a that is coupled to device 10 d. Material 19a and material 19b of device 10d are different materials and form part of the power supply for device 10 d. For example, material 19a may be CuCl and material 19b may be Mg. Device 10d also includes a transistor 19c at a connection, transistor 19c capable of electrically connecting composite material 14d to VHeight ofOr material 19b, material 19b and VIs low inAre at the same potential. The device 10d includes a composite material 16d, the composite material 16d being physically coupled with the device 10d and located on top of the oxide layer 17 d. The material 16d may be gold plated CuCl. Thus, when a probe or plate similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and powered by an oscillating or AC voltage source is brought into proximity with the device 10d, there is capacitive coupling between the composite material 14d and the composite material 16d and the probe. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the voltage supply is isolated (isolated), the energy transferred to material 14d and material 16d is correspondingly varied and stored on device 10 d. When the voltage supply is reduced to zero or quiescent (set), the device 10d switches from receiving energy to sending energy to the probe using capacitive coupling. To generate the source of vibrational energy, a transistor 19c is used in the material 19b (which represents V)Is low in) And VHeight ofTo connect and disconnect the material 14 d. When material 14d is from VHeight ofTo VIs low inUpon changing the energy level, information can be transmitted to the probe. Thus, during the portion of the cycle when the power is off or quiescent (as shown in FIG. 2C), the device 10d is able to transmit energy to the probe, which energy includes information about the device 10 d. Thus, using capacitive coupling, information may be transferred between device 10d and a system connected to probes in the vicinity of device 10 d.
Referring now to fig. 1E, a coaxial probe is shown having two conductive probes/plates 20E and 30E separated by an insulating material 25E. The inner conductive probe or plate 20e is surrounded by an insulating material 25e, said insulating material 25e being surrounded by an outer conductive probe or plate 30 e. Device 10e is shown as part of a pharmaceutical product 12 e. The device 10e includes a conductive material or ink 15e deposited on the side opposite the coaxial probe. When the in-line probe is positioned proximate product 12e, probe 20e is positioned over the center of device 10e and probe 30e is positioned over the outer edge of device 10e and proximate material 15 e. Thus, as described above and with reference to FIG. 2C, energy is transferred from the coaxial probe to device 10e when the power supply is isolated (isolate), and energy is transferred from device 10e to the system to which the coaxial probe is connected when the power supply is off or quiescent.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a voltage source such as an AC voltage or other isolated or alternating current source 40 operates at a high frequency such as 1 MHz. The voltage source is connected to the probe or plate. Device 10 includes a control module 50 and a bonding pad 52, to which pad 52 material (e.g., materials 14 and 16 of fig. 1A) is coupled. Within the device 10 is a diode 54, such as a Schottky diode (Schottky diode) or other type of diode that generates an internal supply voltage, and a switch 56 having some impedance, the turning on and off of the switch 56 changing the impedance of the device 10, according to an aspect of the invention. The change in impedance is used to convey information about the identity of the device 10. The change in impedance causes information related to the device 10 to be encoded and transmitted through the probe to the system using capacitive coupling, as represented by capacitors 58 and 60. By connection to the probe represented by a capacitorThe system captures information, and the information is represented by spanning and labeled RSample(s)As a sampling amplifier of impedance as VOutput ofAnd (6) reading.
Once the control module 50 is brought into proximity or exposed to a voltage source through the plate, there is energy transfer through capacitive coupling and the device 10 can generate an oscillating signal that can be detected. The oscillating signal contains information and the isolation signal can be encoded as, for example, a 1MHz signal or a similar frequency signal, such as a 500KHz signal, which may depend on the degree of capacitive coupling. The voltage of the power source 40 will be determined by how much capacitive coupling is obtained between the capacitive plates or probes 20 and 30 of fig. 1 and the materials 14 and 16 of fig. 1. Thus, at high frequencies, representing perhaps 5 volts, the capacitance value between a probe, such as probe 20 or 30, and the material is represented by capacitors 58 and 60.
Referring now to fig. 2A and 2B, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a diode bridge is shown that is a circuit diagram of the interaction between plates 20 and 30 and materials 14 and 16 of device 10. The isolation voltages present at plates 20 and 30 (labeled "plate 1" and "plate 2") result in energy transfer in the form of high and low voltages to device 10. The device 10 includes a control module that is part of a processor or logic unit. The logic unit may be in the form of a processor, microprocessor, multi-module device, or any integrated circuit. The logic unit communicates with conductive materials 14 and 16 and boards 20 and 30 (labeled "board 1" and "board 2"). When the boards 20 and 30 are powered by an AC power source, the logic unit stores energy and later uses the energy to transmit information.
Referring now to fig. 2C, the power cycle is shown with an active period and a quiescent period, and the transmit cycle of device 10 is shown as a transmit window. In accordance with the present invention, energy is transferred from the power source to device 10 for the duration of the active period. Then in the quiescent stage, the energy stored by the device 10 is used to transfer energy from the device 10 to the system to which the probe is connected. In this manner, information related to the device can be transmitted from device 10 to the system to which the probe is connected via probes 20 and 30. According to aspects of the present invention, the information sent from the device 10 to the system of probes 20 and 30 in the static phase is based on information stored in the memory of the device. Thus, even though shown as a "1" during the transmission window or in the quiescent phase of the power supply, the information transmitted during the quiescent phase or phase of the power supply may be a "0".
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, if there is a one microfarad capacitor between the capacitive plate/probe and the material physically coupled to device 10, then a high isolation frequency, representing a lower voltage, is necessary for capacitive coupling. According to another aspect of the invention, as recognized by those skilled in the art, a greater voltage may be required if a one picofarad capacitor is present. The amount of current actually passed will depend on the impedance between the circuits created between the capacitive plates/probes 20 and 30, as shown, for example, in fig. 1. Thus, shorting capacitor plate 20 and capacitor plate 30 of fig. 1A-1C will result in a significant current flow, which can be detected by a sample amplifier, for example, as shown in fig. 2. The sample amplifier essentially monitors the current through the loop and the current modulation caused by the control module 50 by sampling the amplifier output.
According to aspects of the invention, capacitive coupling may be used in devices that are DC (direct current) power devices that vary for interoperability, such as devices with rectifiers in place to provide a stable voltage on the chip, whose impedance may be modulated.
Referring now to fig. 3A and 3B, according to aspects of the present invention, the capacitive plates/probes and the system for receiving information connected thereto may be integrally formed or otherwise coupled with various structural components and other devices, such as, for example, a tubular structure 60 having capacitive plates 20 and 30 as shown in fig. 3A. To illustrate, one or more pharmaceutical agents with an IEM or similar device 10 may be incorporated into the structure. The device 10 may be introduced manually or automatically by automated means. Device 10 is probed by capacitive plates 20 and 30 in tube 60 as the device passes through structure 60. In various aspects, other devices and/or components may be coupled. In one example, the programmable device may be communicatively coupled with the capacitive coupling device to receive and/or transmit data and/or information obtained by the capacitive coupling device. Continuing with the above description, once all or a portion of the quantity of products 10 (which may be pills) are detected or "read" by the capacitive coupling system associated with probes/plates 20 and 30, the capacitive coupling system can communicate, e.g., wirelessly, wired, etc., with a database having a display device for further storage, display, manipulation, etc. In this manner, a single datum, multiple data, a large amount of data, etc. may be processed for various purposes. One of the purposes may be, for example, tracking pharmaceutical preparations in supply chain applications, for example, during manufacturing processes such as tablet pressing or other processes, during pharmacy verification, during pharmacy prescriptions, and the like. The various processes may complement, combine, etc. One such example is confirmation by reading a number. If it is valid, e.g. readable, the tablet is accepted. Otherwise, the tablet is rejected. Thus, using a simple hand-held reader with an oscillating power supply, a user or healthcare provider can use the device 10 associated therewith to detect a product, which according to an aspect of the invention may be a pill or tablet, and to confirm whether the pill is authentic or a counterfeit product.
Referring now to fig. 4A and 4B, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a pill with device 10 is shown with coating 74, which coating 74 is a non-conductive or more non-permeable coating, and the pill itself comprises a non-conductive medical powder. Region 72, e.g., a tapered region as shown, includes conductive material 70 such as small particles or granules of conductive material mixed with other medical materials, excipients, placebo materials, etc., such that region 72 transforms into a conductive region. For example, graphite and other conductive materials, such as one-tenth, five-tenth, etc., may be used so that region 72 is conductive. Other materials and compositions are also possible, such as a gel or liquid capsule having conductive particles therein, and the like. Thus, at sufficiently high frequencies, the particles of conductive material 70 in region 72 may be shorted together. One skilled in the art will recognize that the conductive material 70 may include a variety of materials and form factors and combinations thereof, such as various sized particles, wires, metal films, wires, and the like. The scope of the present invention is not limited by the type or shape of conductive material 70 used in region 72.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the conductive material 70 may be integrally formed or formed by a variety of methods and proportions. In one example, the device 10 embeds or otherwise mechanically couples a "doughnut-shaped" powder, and the holes formed therein are filled or otherwise coupled with conductive particles or the like to form conductive regions. The size, area, volume, location, or other parameters of the conductive regions may be varied to achieve the functionality described herein.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention and as shown in FIG. 5, capacitive plates or probes 80 and 82 are coupled to a system for receiving data. Probes 80 and 82 are used to probe device 10 by capacitively coupling with materials 84 and 86, respectively. Impedance feedback systems can be used to drive them relatively close to each other, and once the current reaches a certain magnitude, the distance is measured with this. With a sufficiently large impedance, the system may be used in a variety of applications, such as properly operating a manufacturing environment to verify the presence of the device 10, and the like.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, close proximity between the capacitively coupled probe/plate and the device 10 may facilitate, enhance, etc. privacy aspects. In certain aspects, certain associated devices may include, for example, circuits having schottky diodes in parallel with CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) transistors that are timed to turn on, turn off, begin operation, etc. Other circuit designs and variations are also possible.