Abstract: A capsule includes a compressible reservoir and a gas generating unit disposed in a housing. A threshold valve seals an opening in the housing, through which contents of the reservoir may exit the capsule. Gas generated by the gas generating unit increases pressure in the capsule, thereby compressing the reservoir. When a pressure acting on the threshold valve reaches a threshold pressure, the threshold valve opens, releasing contents of the reservoir.

Abstract: In some implementations of this disclosure, a fluid sampling device includes an outer housing formed as a capsule, i.e., configured for swallowing by a patient, such as a mammalian patient. In such implementations, the fluid sampling device may be configured to sample fluids in the GI tract.

Abstract: A system for administering a medicament includes a plurality of capsules, a capsule dispenser, and a capsule activator. Each of the capsules includes a reservoir containing a medicament and an outlet in communication with the reservoir through which the medicament exits the capsule. The capsule dispenser releasably contains the ingestible capsules and is adapted to dispense the capsules to a user in accordance with a predetermined schedule. The capsule activator activates the dispensed capsules prior to administration to the user.

Abstract: A system for administering a medicament includes a plurality of capsules, a capsule dispenser, and a capsule activator. Each of the capsules includes a reservoir containing a medicament and an outlet in communication with the reservoir through which the medicament exits the capsule. The capsule dispenser releasably contains the ingestible capsules and is adapted to dispense the capsules to a user in accordance with a predetermined schedule. The capsule activator activates the dispensed capsules prior to administration to the user.

Abstract: A capsule includes a compressible reservoir and a gas generating unit disposed in a housing. A threshold valve seals an opening in the housing, through which contents of the reservoir may exit the capsule. Gas generated by the gas generating unit increases pressure in the capsule, thereby compressing the reservoir. When a pressure acting on the threshold valve reaches a threshold pressure, the threshold valve opens, releasing contents of the reservoir.

Abstract: A system for administering a medicament includes a plurality of capsules, a capsule dispenser, and a capsule activator. Each of the capsules includes a reservoir containing a medicament and an outlet in communication with the reservoir through which the medicament exits the capsule. The capsule dispenser releasably contains the ingestible capsules and is adapted to dispense the capsules to a user in accordance with a predetermined schedule. The capsule activator activates the dispensed capsules prior to administration to the user.

Abstract: A transducer device for detecting an environmental state within a biological material including a channel comprising a fluid, a hydrogel material, which is adapted to change its volume when getting into contact with an environmental material and/or when detecting an environmental change, and which is mechanically coupled to the channel such that the volume of the channel changes when the volume of the hydrogel material changes. The transducer device further includes a sensor, which is adapted to generate a signal upon detection of the change of a physical property of the fluid that is induced by the volume change of the channel. By applying the transducer device, an accurate monitoring of physiological parameters, for which the hydrogel material is sensitive is possible. It is also possible to apply the transducer device outside of the bodily lumen, for example to monitor the blood of a patient outside the bodily lumen.

Abstract: An electronic capsule (200) features a reservoir (204), and is configured for placement within a reproductive organ, such as the uterus or cervix. While located therein, the capsule dispenses (208), from the reservoir, a substance, such as a reproductive hormone, semen, acidic buffer, fertility drug or other drug, effectively administered from within the organ. In some embodiments, the capsule has on-board sensors (238, 244) and control circuitry in wireless communication with an external processor functioning automatically or guided by a clinician or user, for decisions and timing in administering the sub stance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising an ingestible capsule which measures at least one body parameter and starts a drug release program upon predefined changes in the body parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transducer device (100,200,300,400) for detecting an environmental state or a change in the environmental state, in particular for detecting an environmental state within a biological material. The transducer device (100,200,300,400) comprises a channel (2,22,51) comprising a fluid, a hydrogel material (1,21,51), which is adapted to change its volume when getting into contact with an environmental material and/or when detecting an environmental change, and which is mechanically coupled to the channel (2,22,51) such that the volume of the channel (2,22,51) changes when the volume of the hydrogel material (1,21,51) changes. The transducer device (100,200,300,400) further comprises a sensor (11,12,25,35), which is adapted to generate a signal upon detection of the change of a physical property of the fluid that is induced by the volume change of the channel (2,22,51).

Abstract: Self-learning process for automatically adjusting a dosage of a substance administered to a person by a drug delivery device, a drug delivery device, wherein a dosage of a substance is adjusted by such a self-learning process and a drug delivery system comprising such a drug delivery device. Pain is experienced differently at certain times of day due to the origin causing the symptoms. Therefore, the medication providing pain relief should also be adjusted accordingly. The invention is to anticipate the pain experience and to deliver pain relief medication in such a way that Quality of Life is improved by appropriate timing of the right amount of medication and by appropriate timing of turning off the medication to reduce side effects.

Abstract: It is described a drug delivery system (100) that is adapted to infuse at least one drug in a profile related to the status of a patient. The system comprises sensors (110), dedicated electronics (140) and software to monitor the patient's activity and maintain control over the drug-release profile. A control unit (120) of the system (100) is adapted to temporarily set at least one component (110, 120, 150) of the system (100) in an idle mode (265). This will result in particular in a reduction of power required by the system (100). The described system (100) enables a personalized treatment of patients by monitoring their individual activity status and coupling this information to a drug delivery following appropriate delivery profiles. The system (100) may be provided with a memory in order to store a time dependence of activity data. This time dependence may be used by physicians to monitor, support and adapt their therapy for the patients.

Abstract: It is described a hydrogel based transducer device for detecting an environmental state, in particular for detecting an environmental state within a biological material. The transducer device (300) comprises a base element (302), a radiation source (305), which is formed at the base element (302) and which is adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation (306), an optical element (325), which is arranged at the base element (302) and which is adapted to interact with the electromagnetic radiation (306). The transducer device (300) further comprises a radiation detector (350), which is adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation (326) having interacted with the optical element (325), and a hydrogel material (340), which is mechanically coupled to the optical element (325) and which is adapted to change its volume when getting into contact with an environmental material of the transducer device (300) such that the spatial position of the optical element (325) is changed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for controlled release of molecules. The device is particularly suitable for controlled release of therapeutic drugs to a patient. The device includes a housing with an opening for release of the molecules from the housing. The housing also comprises a reservoir for containing the molecules, in particular therapeutic drugs. The reservoir is arranged in the housing to allow release of the molecules through the opening. The device also comprises at least one thermoswitchable membrane and at least one heating element for at least partially heating the membrane. The device is configured for modulating the release of the molecules at the opening by heating the membrane, using the heating element. Optionally, the device further comprises a pressure element for providing pressurized release of the molecules from the device. In this way, the drug can be delivered to a patient in a pulsatile fashion.

Abstract: An implantable drug delivery system is proposed which does not need internal electronics, but can be activated from outside the body. The system comprises a device (10) for the controlled release of a substance, the device (10) comprising at least one compartment (20) in a substrate (11), the compartment (20) being closed by a valve (30), wherein the valve is openable and comprises at least a first material (31) and a second material (32), the opening and/or closing of the valve (30) being provided upon heating and/or cooling of the first and/or second material (31, 32), the first material (31) being heated by electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for medical treatment decision support and/or monitoring the status of a patient, the device comprising a first measuring means at the ipsilateral side and a second measuring means at the contralateral side and a comparison means in order to find the optimal and/or suboptimal time for drug treatment and/or other medical treatment steps.

Abstract: This invention provides a device for the controlled release of a substance and a method of controllably releasing a substance from a compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drug administration and/or monitoring the status of a patient, said device comprising at least one measuring means for measuring at least one body parameter of a patient for at least ?1 measuring cycle, the measuring means being located in or in the vicinity of a bio-implantable and/or bio-implementable needle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising an ingestible capsule which measures at least one body parameter and starts a drug release program upon predefined changes in the body parameter.