Details for Patent: 8,784,308

Title:	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.
Inventor(s):	Hafezi; Hooman (Redwood City, CA), Duck; Robert (San Francisco, CA), Robertson; Timothy (Belmont, CA), Costello; Benedict (Berkeley, CA)
Assignee:	Proteus Digital Health, Inc. (Redwood City, CA)
Filing Date:	Dec 02, 2010
Application Number:	13/319,309
Claims:	1. A pharmaceutical product comprising: a pill; and a device including a top and a bottom, and secured to the pill, wherein the device comprises: a non-conductive skirt that defines a central cavity; a control unit positioned in the central cavity defined by the skirt, wherein the control unit includes at least a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is dissimilar from the second material, and wherein the first and second materials are positioned on opposite sides of the control unit and electrically connected thereto, wherein the first material is exposable at a first side of the skirt and the second material is exposable at a second side of the skirt such that the skirt separates the two dissimilar materials when exposed, wherein, when the first and second materials are exposed and in contact with a conductive fluid a voltage potential for powering the control unit is generated and a current flow is produced through the conductive fluid between the first and second materials that extends around the non-conductive skirt, and wherein the control unit, when powered, modulates the current flow to generate a current signature with information encoded in the current signature; and a securing portion on the bottom of the device for securing the device to the pill. 2. The product of claim 1, further comprising a protective layer positioned on top of the device. 3. The product of claim 2, wherein the protective layer is the same size as the skirt and covers the top of the control unit. 4. The product of claim 2, wherein the securing portion is a plurality of adhesive dots positioned on the bottom of the device on the skirt. 5. The product of claim 4, wherein the securing portion is the same size as the device and covers the bottom of the device. 6. The product of claim 2, further comprising a second protective layer positioned on the bottom of the device and between the device and the securing portion. 7. The product of claim 6, wherein the second protective layer is the same size as the skirt and covers the bottom of control unit. 8. The product of claim 6, wherein the securing portion is a plurality of adhesive dots positioned on the second protective layer and about the device. 9. The product of claim 6, wherein the securing portion is the same size as the device and positioned onto the second protective layer. 10. A pharmaceutical product with an ingestible electronic marker, the product comprising: a first tablet portion containing a drug; and a second tablet portion containing a fast dissolving agent, wherein the agent and drug are chemically compatible, wherein the first tablet portion and second tablet portion define a cavity for holding the ingestible electronic marker, and wherein the ingestible electronic marker includes: a non-conductive skirt that defines a central cavity; a control unit positioned in the central cavity defined by the skirt, wherein the control unit includes at least two dissimilar materials separated by the skirt, wherein the two dissimilar materials form a partial power source completable upon contact with a conductive fluid to provide a voltage potential to power the control unit, and wherein, when powered, the control unit generates a current signature with information encoded in the current signature; and a coating to define a pocket that surrounds the skirt and control unit, wherein the coating dissolves away to expose the control unit to the surrounding environment. 11. The product of claim 10, wherein the tablet is placed inside of a capsule. 12. The product of claim 10, wherein the capsule is filled with a second drug.