초록

An ingestible device is provided. The ingestible device comprises a sink mechanism, for generating net influx of at least one constituent-of-interest present in a gastrointestinal tract of an individual, and a confining mechanism for confining the sink mechanism in a predetermined confinement.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An ingestible device, comprising: (a) a sink mechanism for generating a net influx of at least one constituent-of-interest present in a gastrointestinal tract of an individual such that said at least one constituent-of-interest becomes absorbed in said sink mechanism; and (b)

What is claimed is: 1. An ingestible device, comprising: (a) a sink mechanism for generating a net influx of at least one constituent-of-interest present in a gastrointestinal tract of an individual such that said at least one constituent-of-interest becomes absorbed in said sink mechanism; and (b) an outer housing comprising a confining mechanism for confining said sink mechanism inside said housing in a predetermined confinement, hence directing said net influx is into said confinement. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said net influx generated by said sink mechanism is substantially higher than a net influx generated by a concentration difference of said at least one constituent-of-interest devoid of said sink mechanism, said concentration difference being the difference between concentrations of said at least one constituent-of-interest in and out of said predetermined confinement. 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mixing mechanism for actively mixing a content of said predetermined confinement and/or the surroundings of the device. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said mixing mechanism comprises a heating device. 5. The device of claim 3, wherein said mixing mechanism comprises a mechanical mixer and a power source for operating said mixer. 6. The device of claim 3, wherein said mixing mechanism comprises a sound wave generator. 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a flow generating mechanism for actively generating a flow of gastrointestinal fluids through said predetermined confinement. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said flow generating device is a pump. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said confining mechanism comprises a housing. 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said housing is composed of a bioresistant material. 11. The device of claim 9, wherein said housing is designed and constructed so as to prevent damage to said sink mechanism by constituents of said gastrointestinal tract. 12. The device of claim 9, wherein said housing is designed and constructed so as to prevent damage to said gastrointestinal tract by the sink mechanism. 13. The device of claim 9, wherein said housing is configured for expanding and/or contracting. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein said confining mechanism comprises linkers linking among molecules of said sink material, thereby forming a molecular mesh structure. 15. The device of claim 1, further comprising a substance for maintaining a predetermined pH level within said predetermined confinement. 16. The device of claim 1, made detectable by at least one detection method for detecting the device in said gastrointestinal tract. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said at least one detection method is non-invasive. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein said at least one detection method is imaging. 19. The device of claim 16, wherein said at least one detection method is selected from the group consisting of x-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, gamma-gamma imaging and automatic tracking. 20. The device of claim 1, further comprising a protective cover made of a biodegradable material, said protective cover being designed and constructed to degrade only when arriving to a predetermined location of said gastrointestinal tract. 21. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one constituent-of-interest is selected from the group consisting of a toxin, creatinine, uric acid, a hepatic toxic metabolite, alcohol, an alcohol metabolite, an electrolyte, a therapeutic or a medicinal agent, a detergent, a renal metabolite, a poisonous substance, a nutritional substance, a biochemical compound and a heavy metal. 22. An ingestible device comprising: (a) a sink mechanism for generating an net influx of at least one constituent-of-interest present in a gastrointestinal tract of an individual; and (b) an outer housing comprising a confining mechanism for confining said sink mechanism inside said housing in a predetermined confinement, hence directing said net influx is into said confinement, wherein said sink mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a sink material and a sink device, wherein said sink material is for absorbing said at least one constituent-of-interest, wherein said sink material is selected from the group consisting of a high affinity sink material, a low affinity sink material and a combination of a high affinity sink material and a low affinity sink material, and wherein said high affinity sink material is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, whereby said constituent-of-interest is an antigen, a receptor whereby said constituent-of-interest is a ligand, a ligand whereby said constituent-of-interest is a receptor, an enzyme whereby said constituent-of-interest is an inhibitor, an inhibitor whereby said constituent-of-interest is an enzyme and a lectin whereby said constituent-of-interest is a saccharide. 23. The device of claim 22, wherein said low affinity sink material is selected from the group consisting of a nutritional fiber, a clay and a resin. 24. The device of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of said sink material is attached to a solid phase. 25. The device of claim 22, wherein said sink material is water soluble. 26. The device of claim 22, wherein said sink material is water non-soluble. 27. The device of claim 22, wherein said sink material comprises beads. 28. The device of claim 22, wherein said sink material comprises a polymer. 29. The device of claim 22, wherein said sink material comprises an inert solid phase to which affinity sink molecules are attached. 30. The device of claim 22, wherein said sink material is for converting said at least one constituent-of-interest. 31. The device of claim 30, wherein said sink material is a catalyst. 32. The device of claim 31, wherein said catalyst is water soluble. 33. The device of claim 31, wherein said catalyst is attached to a solid phase. 34. The device of claim 30, wherein said sink material is a living organism. 35. The device of claim 34, wherein said living organism is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a unicellular parasite, a multicellular parasite and a fungus. 36. The device of claim 35, wherein said fungus is a yeast. 37. The device of claim 34, further comprising a selective membrane for allowing a preferred influx of said at least one constituent-of-interest. 38. An ingestible device comprising: (a) a sink mechanism for generating an net influx of at least one constituent-of-interest present in a gastrointestinal tract of an individual; and (b) an outer housing comprising a confining mechanism for confining said sink mechanism inside said housing in a predetermined confinement, hence directing said net influx is into said confinement, wherein said sink mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a sink material and a sink device, wherein said sink mechanism is for converting said at least one constituent-of-interest.