Multisorb Technologies, Inc.

Covidien LP

Given Imaging Ltd.

The Smartpill Corporation

John R Semler

Samuel A Incorvia

Peter R Millen

David T D'Andrea

Bemina L Rohde

Kathleen H Selover

Thomas H White

Kathleen Selover

Bermina L Rohde

A method for diagnosing constipation comprising the steps of providing an ingestible capsule () having a given density and a pH sensor () and a temperature sensor (), having a subject ingest the capsule, recording pH measurements from the pH sensor as a function of time as the capsule moves through at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, transmitting the pH measurements to a processor () outside of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, recording temperature measurements from the temperature sensor as a function of time as the capsule moves through at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, transmitting the temperature measurements to a processor () outside of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, determining transit time of the capsule between a first location in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject and a second location in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject as a function of the pH measurements and the temperature measurements, providing a reference transit time that is a function of the density of the capsule, and comparing the determined transit time to the reference transit time to evaluate the subject for constipation.

Method of evaluating constipation using an ingestible capsule

A method of determining body exit of an ingestible capsule comprising the steps of providing () an ingestible capsule () having a pressure sensor (), having () a subject ingest the capsule, recording () measurements from the pressure sensor as the capsule passes through at least an end portion of a gastrointestinal tract of the subject, transmitting () the measurements to a processor () outside of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, identifying () an increasing pressure sequence () in the measurements between a selected start time () and a transmission end time (), comparing () the sequence to a reference (), and using the comparison to make a determination () regarding the capsule exiting the gastrointestinal tract of the subject. The increasing pressure sequence may be the longest increasing pressure sequence in the measurements. The reference may be a logarithmic regression of the measurements. The ingestible capsule may further comprise a temperature sensor () and the method may further comprising the steps of recording () measurements from the temperature sensor as the capsule passes through the end portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, transmitting () the measurements to the processor, analyzing () the temperature measurements for a substantial drop () in the temperature measurements, and using the analysis of the temperature measurements to make the determination regarding the capsule exiting the gastrointestinal tract of the subject.

Method of determining body exit of an ingested capsule

The present invention broadly provides an improved ingestible capsule () that is arranged to sense one or more physiological parameters within a mammalian body, an to transmit such parameters to an extra-corporeal receiver (). In use, the capsule and receiver perform the method of determining the real-time location of the capsule within a tract of a mammal. This method includes the steps of providing the capsule, the capsule having one or more sensors, ingesting the capsule, transmitting a signal from the capsule, receiving the transmitted signal, and determining the real-time location of the capsule within the tract as a function of the received signal. The received signal may also indicate the value of one or more sensed parameters.

Method of using, and determining location of, an ingestible capsule

An adsorbent unit for mounting relative to a U-bend pipe of a refrigerant accumulator having spaced pipes and a return bend including a porous container, adsorbent in the container, first and second end portions on the container, first and second bands on the first end portion for placement about the spaced pipes, and a mounting tab at the second end portion for mounting onto a filter housing on the return bend.

Self-retaining adsorbent unit

An adsorbent unit including a porous container, adsorbent in the container, at least one tab extending outwardly from the container, side edges on the tab, and concave indentations in the side edges. The tab can have an aperture therein for mounting the tab on the filter body of a return bend of an accumulator. Another embodiment of the adsorbent unit can include two tabs extending outwardly from the opposite ends of the container, rigid outer ends on the tabs, and concave indentations in the sides of the tabs between the outer ends of the tabs and the adsorbent container. In use, the concave indentations of the various tabs receive the spaced pipes of a return bend pipe utilized in a refrigerant accumulator.

Growing community of inventors

Williamsville, NY, United States of America

John R Semler