Patent Publication Number: US-8109920-B2

Title: Medical or veterinary digestive tract utilization systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to and claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s)). 
     RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/982,448, entitled MEDICAL OR VETERINARY DIGESTIVE TRACT UTILIZATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS, naming Edward S. Boyden, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Robert Langer, Eric C. Leuthardt, Dennis J. Rivet, Michael A. Smith, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr. and Victoria Y. H. Wood as inventors, filed 31 Oct. 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date. 
     The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to the effect that the USPTO&#39;s computer programs require that patent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is a continuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin,  Benefit of Prior - Filed Application , USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003. The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does not require either a serial number or any characterization, such as “continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands that the USPTO&#39;s computer programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence Applicant is designating the present application as a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above, but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or not the present application contains any new matter in addition to the matter of its parent application(s). 
     All subject matter of the Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith. 
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to a first module operable in a digestive or respiratory tract to engage a second module at least magnetically; and one or more magnetic-flux-generating elements operable to diminish a disengagement force between the first module and the second module by removing at least 0.1% of a magnetic flux passing from the first module into the second module. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to a magnetically manipulable module operable to remain within a digestive or respiratory tract of a subject for more than a day and to permit a therapeutic material dispensation therein from the magnetically manipulable module. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to a module operable to remain in a digestive or respiratory tract of a subject for more than a day and to dispense a first therapeutic material responsive to a first device state and a second therapeutic material responsive to a second device state. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to a first module operable to contain a first therapeutic material within a digestive or respiratory tract; and one or more artificial conduits operable to guide the first therapeutic material in a first flow from the first module at least into a throat of the digestive or respiratory tract. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to one or more sensor-containing modules each small enough to pass through a digestive tract; a mooring module operable to remain in the digestive tract for more than a day; and one or more tethers configured to establish an effective range of motion of the one or more sensor-containing modules relative to the mooring module within the digestive tract. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. 
     In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or system aspects are set forth and described in the teachings such as text (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present disclosure. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary environment in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a high-level logic flow of an operational process. 
         FIGS. 3-28  depict respective contexts in which one or more medical or veterinary technologies as described herein may be implemented. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware. 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The use of the same symbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identical items. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a system  100  in which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  100  may include one or more local modules  141 ,  142 ,  143 ,  144 ,  145 ,  146 ,  147  positioned along a digestive/respiratory tract  104 . In some contexts, such local modules  141 - 146  may comprise or otherwise be supported by one or more surgical staples, helical anchors, other piercing anchors, bioadhesives, or other such durable modes of attachment for controllable and/or extended functionality. Such bioadhesives, in some embodiments, may comprise a mixture of poloxamer 407 with polycarbophil, or some similar gel-forming liquid. Other such liquid-based bioadhesives may include, for example, polycarbophil or polyacrylic acid secreted via one or more ports of a local or other utility module as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, one or more such local modules  141 - 147  are small enough to pass through tract  104  per vias naturales, and include at least a wireless-control component responsive to a received signal. Alternatively or additionally, any such local modules  141 - 147  may, in some variants, include a body with a protruding surface narrow enough to be positioned adjacent to a mucous membrane. See, e.g.,  FIG. 5 . Alternatively or additionally, any such local modules  141 - 147  and/or utility modules may, in some variants, be configured with more than one adhesive or other attachment feature so as to facilitate sequential or otherwise redundant modes of attachment. See, e.g.,  FIGS. 7-9 . Alternatively or additionally, any such local modules  141 - 147  may, in some variants, be configured to facilitate a “primary” material supply deployable within gastric compartment  170  for an extended and/or controllable period, but operable for dispensing elsewhere. See, e.g.,  FIG. 10 . Alternatively or additionally, any such local modules may comprise adaptable extender module at least partly supported by a subject&#39;s head or neck, for facilitating an extended or controllable placement of one or more such local modules  141 - 147 . Alternatively or additionally, one or more such sensor-containing utility modules  141 - 147  may be tethered or otherwise moored so as to remain in a specific portion of a subject&#39;s mouth  105 , throat  149 , esophagus  150 , gastric compartment  170 , or intestine  180  for up to a day or more. In some variants, moreover, any of the herein-described modules may likewise be configured to include one or more wireless-control components for use in response to or otherwise in cooperation with a received wireless signal. See, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. [titled “Adaptive Dispensation in a Tract,” filed 23 Oct. 2007], also by Boyden et al., incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith. 
     Alternatively or additionally, system  100  may include one or more instances of system  110 , comprising one or more therapeutic materials  111 ,  112  borne in one or more modules  115  operable to be magnetically or otherwise supported by another module  116  such as the local module(s)  141 - 147 . An instance of system  110  may, for example, comprise one or more modules  115  operable to contain a composition or other therapeutic material  111  within mouth  105  and one or more artificial conduits  106  operable to guide the therapeutic material  111  in a flow from the module(s)  115  through or otherwise into throat  149 . In some instances, alternatively or additionally, module  115  may be operable to engage module  116  at least magnetically in a context in which one or more magnetized elements of ferromagnetic material  118  are operable to diminish a disengagement force between them by removing at least about 0.1% or a majority of a magnetic flux passing from module  115  into (at least a flux-guiding portion of) module  116 . Alternatively or additionally, system  110  may be configured so that module  115  includes ferromagnetic material  118 , a conductive coil  117 , or other elements configured so that module  115  (a) is magnetically manipulable, (b) operable to remain within a tract of a subject for more than a day, and (c) operable to permit a dispensation of one or more therapeutic materials  111 ,  112 . Any of these variants may occur, for example, in a context in which module  116  is implemented as a dental prosthetic (e.g. as module  141 ), between a subject&#39;s gums and cheeks, within a subject&#39;s nasal passages or throat, or at some other directly accessible portion of tract  104 . In some variants, for example, control circuitry  119  within module  115  is operable to sense physical parameters, to apply one or more logical criteria, and/or to supply current through conductive coil  117  as described herein or known by those skilled in the art. 
     Alternatively or additionally, system  100  may include one or more instances of system  120 , comprising one or more therapeutic materials  121 ,  122  borne in one or more modules  125  operable to be friction-fit (e.g. gripped) or otherwise supported by another module  126  such as local modules  141 - 147 . In some embodiments in which local module  142  implements module  126  in throat  149 , for example, an instance of system  120  may comprise module  125  operable to remain in a tract of a subject for more than a day and to dispense a first therapeutic material  121  responsive to a first device state and another therapeutic material  122  responsive to another device state. Control circuitry  129  may contain digital logic operable for dispensing therapeutic materials selectively, for example, responsive to sensor signals, timing logic, wireless signals, or other functional inputs as described herein. See, e.g.,  FIGS. 22-23  below. In embodiments in which local module  141  implements module  126 , alternatively or additionally, system  100  may comprise module  125  operable to contain one or more therapeutic materials  121  within a subject&#39;s mouth and one or more artificial conduits  106  operable to guide the therapeutic material(s) in one or more flows from module  125  at least into throat  149 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, system  100  may include one or more instances of system  130 , comprising one or more therapeutic materials  131 ,  132  borne in one or more modules  135  operable to be adhesed or otherwise supported by another module  136  such as local modules  141 - 147 . In some embodiments in which module  136  resides on a mucous membrane of mouth  105 , for example, an instance of system  130  may comprise module  135  operable to remain in a tract  104  of a subject for more than a day and to dispense a first therapeutic material  131  responsive to a first device state and a second therapeutic material  132  responsive to a second device state. Control circuitry  139  may contain digital logic operable for dispensing therapeutic materials selectively, for example, responsive to sensor signals, timing logic, wireless signals, or other functional inputs as described herein. See, e.g.,  FIGS. 22-23  below. Alternatively or additionally, an instance of system  130  may comprise module  135  supported by module  136  via a magnetic coupling or adhesive  138 , operable to remain within tract  104  of a human or other subject for more than a day and to permit at least a dispensation of therapeutic material  131  therein. In some contexts, module  135  may comprise a permanent magnet or other magnetically manipulable module configured to be attracted to one or more local modules  144 ,  145  resident within gastric compartment  170  or elsewhere within tract  104 . In others, module  135  may attract itself to a module  146  adjacent tract  104 . In many such variants, system  130  may (optionally) comprise module  135  operable in tract  104  to engage another module  141 - 147  at least magnetically and one or more magnetic-flux-generating element operable to remove at least 0.1% of magnetic flux passing from module  135  to module  136 . Many existing electromagnets are powerful enough and safe for serving this function outside the subject, for example, causing or otherwise facilitating a disengagement. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a flow  200  comprising operation  210 —supporting a first module within a digestive or respiratory tract—and operation  230 —causing the first module to implement a decision whether to dispense a first therapeutic material responsive to a first device state. In some embodiments that include one or more therapeutic materials, for example, a utility module and/or local modules  141 - 147  as described herein may (optionally) be configured to perform flow  200 . In the context of system  130 , for example, control circuitry  139  may perform operation  230  so that a therapeutic composition or other material  131  is dispensed according to an original regimen so long as module  136  remains in a “normal” mode. In some contexts, however, a second regimen may be used in response to a wireless signal or other indication to control circuitry  139 , for example, that an increased dosage should be used. Alternatively or additionally, system  100  may be implemented so that a therapeutic-material-containing module  115 ,  125 ,  135  is configured to remain adjacent a local module  142 - 147  until prompted to depart per vias naturales by corresponding control circuitry  119 ,  129 ,  139 . In some variants, such control circuitry may likewise be configured to cause an introduction of one or more other therapeutic materials  112 ,  122  or otherwise to update a subject&#39;s regimen of the first therapeutic material. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , shown is portion  305  of a digestive or respiratory tract  301  of a mammal or other subject  304  in a vicinity of which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  300  may comprise one or more instances of modules  310  operable to remain within tract  301  for more than a day and to permit a first therapeutic material dispensation therein from the magnetically manipulable module  310 . Alternatively or additionally, in various implementations, module  310  may be configured to be operable to remain in a throat  149  or other local portion  305  of tract  104  for more than an hour, a day, or a week. 
     In some variants, for example, module  310  can have a spherical or elongate form  308  small enough to pass through a digestive tract per vias naturales. Alternatively or additionally, module  310  may include one or more reservoirs  331  containing more than one therapeutically effective dose  337  of one or more of an anti-inflammatory agent  351 , an antimicrobial agent  352 , or some other therapeutic material  350  (optionally with one or more other ingredients  353 ). 
     Module  310  may also include one or more other reservoirs  332  containing more than one dispensation of an artificial marker  360 . Material  360  may include a type and concentration of a dye or other marking agent  364  (optionally with one or more other therapeutic or other useful ingredients  365  as described herein) in a sufficient concentration to permit optical detection via one or more sensors in tract  301 . In some variants, alternatively or additionally, reservoir  332  may comprise a gaseous material  366  at a higher-than-ambient pressure or other suitable energy source. Module  310  may likewise include one or more reservoirs  333  containing another (liquid and/or gaseous) fluid-containing propellant  377 , optionally with one or more other ingredients  378  with medical utility as described herein. This can occur, for example, in a context in which control logic  388  causes actuator  328  to withdraw (rightward as shown) enough so that material  350  advances into portion  305  of tract  301 . 
     As shown, module  310  may include one or more dispensing chambers  390  operable for combining fluid-containing propellant  377  at a higher-than-ambient pressure with one or more of a portion  341  of the therapeutic material  350  from the first reservoir  331  or (b) a portion  342  of the artificial marker  360 . This can occur, for example, in a context in which control logic  385  causes actuator  321  to withdraw (upward as shown) enough so that at least portion  341  of material  350  advances into chamber  390 . Alternatively or additionally, control logic  389  may be configured to cause actuator  322  to withdraw (downward as shown) enough so that at least portion  342  of material  360  advances into chamber  390 . Alternatively or additionally, control logic  388  may be configured to signal actuator  323  to withdraw (leftward as shown) enough so that some of material  360  advances into chamber  390 . In some contexts, such configurations of control logic  388 ,  389  define respective states of logic components therein and/or valves or other structures as described herein. 
     In some variants, control logic  388 ,  389  may be implemented integrally with control logic  385 , for example, which may also control the position or magnetic configuration of one or more magnetic-flux-generating elements  346 . Alternatively or additionally, control logic  385  may control an actuator  327  operable for initiating or regulating dispensations from dispensing chamber  390  via conduit  392 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, module  310  may be configured to be magnetically manipulable, such as by the inclusion of one or more magnetic-flux-generating elements  347  operable for holding module  310  in an intestine or other portion  305  of the digestive or respiratory tract  301 . In some such variants, module  310  may further include one or more electrically conductive coils or other opposing elements  346  operable for opposing at least some magnetic flux from magnetic-flux-generating element  347 . In some contexts described herein, system  300  may further include one or more other modules  340  including at least some ferromagnetic material so that element  347  is effectively supported thereby within portion  305 , optionally through a mucous membrane or other tissue  345  of subject  304 . System  300  may further comprise two or more artificial conduits  391 ,  392  each operable to guide a material flow in the digestive or respiratory tract  301  as shown, one or more of the conduits  391 ,  392  optionally exceeding 10 centimeters. 
     In some variants, for example, module  395  includes a conduit segment  393  local to module  310  and extends to a conduit segment  394  distal to module  310 . In embodiments shown at  FIGS. 14 ,  20 ,  27 , for example, such extension reaches into (and sometimes through) a throat of the digestive or respiratory tract. In embodiments like those of  FIGS. 20 ,  27 , such conduits likewise reach at least into an esophagus  150  of a digestive or respiratory tract  104 . In embodiments like those of  FIGS. 10 ,  20 ,  21 ,  27 , such conduits likewise extend at least out of a gastric compartment (from reservoirs resident in an oral cavity or gastric compartment, for example) and/or into an intestine of a digestive tract. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , shown is a mammal or other subject  404  in a vicinity of which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  400  may comprise one or more instances of modules  440  operable in a digestive or respiratory tract  401  to engage another module  430  at least magnetically, within or adjacent tract  401  and/or subject  404 . System  400  may further comprise one or more instances of magnetic-flux-generating elements  436  operable to diminish a disengagement force between the modules  430 ,  440  by removing at least 0.1% of a magnetic flux  415  passing from module  440  (optionally via layer  410 ) into module  430 . Alternatively or additionally, module  440  may include one or more (magnetic-flux-generating) elements  445 ,  446  or other flux-guiding elements  444 ,  447  likewise operable for such a removal. This can be accomplished, for example, by moving such elements  444 ,  445  or modifying an electrical current through one or more of them so as to change their magnetic configuration. In some variants, for example, one or more such elements  436 ,  446  may be operable for bearing a current pulse of sufficient magnitude to demagnetize other such elements  435 ,  445  at least partially, as described herein. 
     Alternatively or additionally, module  440  may include one or more instances of antennas  448 ; anti-hyperglycemic-medications  461  or other medications  462  (optionally including a polymer-containing binding agent or other ingredients as well); material flow paths  467  of about one centimeter or longer, sufficiently long to bear such anti-hyperglycemic-medications  461  or other medications  462  through or otherwise out of gastric compartment  470 ; one or more actuator(s)  464  operable for releasing such medications selectively into one or more paths  467 ,  468 ; one or more sensors  491 ,  492  or dispensers  493  optionally comprising one or more modules  490 ; measurement data  481 , dispensation-status-indicative data  482 , or other data  483 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, system  400  may further comprise control circuitry  449  for selectively activating at least one of the one or more actuators  464  operable for one or more of (a) releasing the anti-hyperglycemic-medication  461  into material flow path  467 , (b) releasing an antimicrobial agent, adhesive, hormone, or other material into material flow path  467 , (c) releasing medication  462  into a material flow path  468  (of another module  420 ) extending out of gastric compartment  470 , or other timely dispensation operations defined in a physician-defined regimen profile or other data  483 . System  400  may likewise comprise a remote module  485  operable for receiving dispensation-status-indicative data  482  from module  440  and/or one or more other modules  465 ,  475  (optionally) operable to support the second module  430  indirectly for more than a month in tract  401 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , shown is a medical or veterinary system  500  in which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  500  may include one or more local modules or other devices  580  having a protruding surface  575  narrow enough to be positioned adjacent to a portion  595  of a mucous membrane  513 , a first secretion port  501  (from dispenser  581 , for example) operable for binding at least to a portion  595  of the protruding surface  575  of layer  510  as shown; and at least one other secretion port  502  (at least from dispenser  583  via chamber  522 , for example) operable for binding at least to the adjacent portion  595  of the mucous membrane  513 . In some variants, as shown, one or more binding agents  512  secreted via at least the second secretion port  502  also bind to another binding agent  511 , directly to mucosa, or to other structures described herein. Alternatively or additionally, device  580  may include one or more other dispensers  582 , magnetic or other flux-guiding elements, one or more activators  585  (using heat or light to activate a binding agent, for example), or tethers  578  or other supported structures as described herein. In some variants, device  580  may likewise include one or more other protruding surfaces  575  narrow enough to be positioned adjacent to another portion  596  of the mucous membrane  513 , optionally having one or more other ports  503  operable for facilitating adhesion therebetween. Such adhesives may include surgical adhesive such as cyanoacrylates or their derivatives, or any other sufficiently adhesive compound (with sufficiently low toxicity to intra-luminal cells) for a specified observational and/or therapeutic interval. Other suitable binding agents may include fibrin glues, any number of glues based on collagen or gelatin, or other such biologically mediated binding agents. Still others may comprise one or more erodible polymers selected from the group consisting of soluble cellulosic materials, ethylene vinyl alcohol, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, polyacrylates, polycaprolactones, inorganic glass based on polyphosphates and fused salts, polyanhydrides, poly(ortho)esters, biodegradable polyurethanes, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyactones, polyamides and polypeptides, gelatin and derivatives, polyacrylonitriles, polyesters, and combinations thereof. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , shown is a system  600  in which one or more technologies may be implemented. A tract portion  604  is shown with medical or veterinary utility modules  647 ,  648 ,  649 ,  650  (individually or collectively) small enough to pass through the tract safely per vias naturales. Such modules  647 - 650  may each include one or more wireless-control components  651 ,  652 ,  653 . At least one such component has one or more engaging states and one or more disengaging states. The engaging state(s) cause(s) the medical or veterinary utility module to remain stationary, or at least to remain within tract portion  604  for a controllable and/or extended period, using one or more techniques as described herein. The disengaging state(s) allow(s) the medical or veterinary utility module to exit the tract per vias naturales. 
     In some variants one or more instances of external modules  605  (outside the tract) may be used for monitoring or guiding the behavior of one or more such utility modules  647 - 650 . External module  605  may include one or more instances of optical communication elements  610 , radio frequency communication elements  620 , magnetic-field-generating elements  630 , or magnetic materials or other such components that may be effective for interacting with the utility module(s)  647 - 650 . 
     In some contexts, one or more optical communication elements  610  may be operable to transmit one or more wireless signals  641  comprising instructions and/or other information to component  651 , for example, via a subject&#39;s mouth or other optically accessible site. Alternatively or additionally, component  651  may likewise be configured to transmit status-indicative data  606  or other such information  607  wirelessly to external module  605 . In some contexts, one or more radio frequency communication elements  620  may likewise be operable to transmit one or more wireless signals  642  comprising instructions and/or other information to component  652 , for example. Alternatively or additionally, component  651  may likewise be configured to transmit status-indicative data  606  or other such information  607  as wireless signals  642  to external module  605 . In some contexts, one or more magnetic-field-generating or other elements  630  may likewise be operable to transmit one or more wireless signals  643  comprising instructions and/or other information to component  653 , for example. Alternatively or additionally, component  653  may likewise be configured to transmit status-indicative data  606  or other such information  607  as wireless signals  643  to external module  605 . 
     In some variants, (component or other) local modules  645 ,  646  may be adhesively, magnetically, buoyantly, spatially, or otherwise operable to remain in tract portion  604  for a month, a year, or longer. Such local modules may provide a convenient site for supporting one or more utility modules  647 - 650  directly and/or by an interstitial structure such as one or more tethers  644 . Such support may be appropriate, in some contexts, for a day, a week, or more, as described herein. 
     One or more utility modules  647 - 650 , for example, may be magnetically or otherwise supported by one or more mooring component modules  651  having a length more than four times greater than its median width. Such a magnetic configuration may, for example, include one or more ferromagnetic elements  660  operable for magnetic coupling with a high power electromagnet or other external flux-guiding structure adjacent tract portion  604 , a ferromagnet worn on a belt, an implanted implanted material surrounding the pylorus, or some other nearby structure outside the tract. Removing such a belt may, for example, permit a user to cause ferromagnetic element  660  to be released per vias naturales, for example. Alternatively or additionally, local module  645  and/or one or more utility modules  647 - 650  may be released by current source  662  generating a current in one or more conductive coils  671  at least partly in opposition to the magnetic field generated by the ferromagnetic element(s)  660 . A similar effect can be achieved by various flux-manipulation techniques, in lieu of or in addition to such current, such by moving oppositely-oriented ferromagnets (down as shown) into proximity with the depicted wall of tract portion  604 . Alternatively or additionally, inflation or other modes of actuation may be used to achieve a disengagement of the utility module(s)  647 - 650 . For examples of releasable tethering implementations, for example, see  FIGS. 10-11  &amp;  13 - 18  and their descriptions below. 
     Some variants of system  600  may be characterized as a medical or veterinary system comprising one or more sensor-containing modules, one or more local modules  645 ,  646  operable to remain within portion  604  for more than a day; and one or more tethers  644  configured to establish an effective range of motion of the one or more sensor-containing modules relative to the mooring module(s) within the tract comprising portion  604 . This can occur, for example, in a context in which the contained sensor(s) implement one or more features described below with reference to  FIG. 23  and in which the sensor-containing module(s) are implemented as one or more instances of utility modules  648  small enough to pass (safely) through a tract. Alternatively or additionally, one or more local modules  645  may likewise include one or more physical measurement components used by or with such sensors. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 7 , shown is another system  700  operable for retaining one or more medical or veterinary utility modules in a tract for an extended and/or controlled period. System  700  may comprise one or more instances of a mooring and/or utility module  740  having a protruding surface  715  immersed so that a portion  709  thereof is adjacent an irregular mucous membrane  708  of a tract. System  700  may (optionally) comprise one or more control components  750  such as one or more instances of adhesive-containing dispensers  764  and control circuitry  774  therefor, adhesive-solvent-containing dispenser  765  and control circuitry  775  therefor, anticoagulant-agent-containing dispenser  766  and control circuitry  776  therefor, antibiotic-containing dispenser  767  and control circuitry  777  therefor, or hybrid dispenser  768  and control circuitry  778  therefor. Alternatively or additionally, the control component(s)  750  may likewise comprise one or more instances of disengagement-inducing actuator  781  and control circuitry  791  therefor, releasable dispenser  789 , dispenser-releasing actuator  782  and control circuitry  792  therefor, reservoir-opening actuator  783  and control circuitry  793  therefor, dosage-adjustment actuator  785  and control circuitry  795  therefor, or hybrid actuator  787  and control circuitry  797  therefor. Alternatively or additionally, the control component(s)  750  may be similarly configured to control one or more selected dispensers  760  or other actuators  780 . Alternatively or additionally, the control component(s)  750  may likewise be configured to perform one or more other functions wirelessly, such as those described with reference to utility module  650  of  FIG. 6  or elsewhere herein. Hybrid dispenser  768  and dosage-adjustment actuator  785  may likewise be configured for access to any of the materials or reservoirs described with reference to  FIG. 21  herein, for example. In some variants, moreover, external module  605  may be operative for updating such control circuitry  791 - 795  wirelessly or otherwise as described herein, optionally commencing or altering one or more criteria for module  740  the tract per vias naturales. 
     In light of these teachings, numerous existing techniques may be applied for using biologically compatible binding agents as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,265,098 (“Polyacid/polyalkylene oxide gels and methods for their delivery”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,874 (“Biocompatible polymers and adhesives: compositions, methods of making and uses related thereto”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,851 (“Oral formulation for gastrointestinal drug delivery”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,550 (“Medical devices, drug coatings and methods for maintaining the drug coatings thereon”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,800,296 (“Modification of surfaces using biological recognition events”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,696 (“Effervescent drug delivery system for oral administration”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,380 (“Remote and local controlled delivery of pharmaceutical compounds using electromagnetic energy”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,720 (“Medicinal compositions adhering to stomach/duodenum”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,712 (“Preparation of hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesives having optimized adhesive properties”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,813 (“Gastrointestinal mucosa-adherent pharmaceutical composition”). Those skilled in the art will also recognize how to apply numerous existing techniques for taking provisional, alternate, overlapping, or completion actions relating to such applications as exemplified herein without undue experimentation, in light of these teachings. Binding agents may likewise be used for coupling modules as described herein, before or during deployment. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 8 , shown is another context in which one or more technologies may be implemented. A medical or veterinary system  800  shown there comprises at least one module body  807  small enough for a person or other subject to swallow. System  800  further comprises one or more (earlier-acting) ports  801  operable for dispensing adhesive-containing material from reservoir  860  and/or otherwise coupling at least portion  805  of module body  807  to a portion  895  mucous membrane  890 . (As shown, surface  810  includes a portion  808  cut away to reveal a plurality of adhesive-containing reservoirs  860 ,  870 .) 
     Some time later—such as an hour or a day, in some contexts—one or more other (ports  802  or other) attachment features may be invoked for coupling at least the module body  807  to another part of the mucous membrane  890 . In a context in which bond  905  is formed within a minute at portion  805 , for example, another application of adhesive may be dispensed (from reservoir  870  via ports  802 , for example), bonding another portion  906  of module body  807  to another portion  996  of the mucous membrane  890 . In some variants, for example, such sequential attachment operations may permit improved coupling with mucous  981  and/or mucosa  982 . 
     Various modes of sequential attachment may be practiced, for example, in the context of  FIG. 7 . In a context in which module  740  is small enough to swallow, for example, it may initially attach to a mucous membrane  708  of an esophagus, gastric compartment, or intestine as shown. This can be accomplished by hooks or ligation components, for example, or by an activation of one or more adhesive-containing dispensers  764  (at least adjacent mucous membrane  708 ) by corresponding control circuitry  774 . In some variants, for example, control circuitry  791  responsive to one or more sensors (optionally a piezoelectric transducer or other proximity- or contact-sense-enabled component, for example) may trigger one or more adjacent or successive dispensers to dispense an adhesive, for example. 
     Some time later, perhaps on the order of 10 minutes or 10 hours, one or more “next” adhesive or other attachment features are likewise invoked to attach (a) at a deeper level of mucous membrane  708  and/or (b) to a next vertical or lateral portion of mucous membrane  708 . In the latter case, for example, module  740  may advance very slowly along mucous membrane  708 , such as by rolling. In response to detecting a (wireless or other) disengagement-indicative condition, in some embodiments, module  740  may be configured to respond by ceasing such attachment operations, by invoking control circuitry  775  to activate adhesive-solvent-containing dispenser  765 , by invoking control circuitry  791  to activate disengagement-inducing actuator  781  to push mucous membrane  708  away from module  740 , or otherwise by facilitating detachment. Alternatively or additionally, such modes may include separating tether portions, adjusting buoyancy, activating a pressurized or other mode of propulsion, exerting tension along a moored tether, or other actions as described herein. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , shown is a vicinity of a gastric compartment  1070  in a tract  1001  of a subject (human or otherwise) that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. As shown system  1000  may (optionally) include one or more instances of module  1010  each having one or more tethers  1037  or other portions extending through some of intestine  1080  and configured to anchor at pylorus  1075 . System  1000  may likewise include one or more instances of modules  1050  dense enough to rest near the bottom of gastric compartment  1070  and/or modules  1060  buoyant enough to float within gastric compartment  1070 , any or all of which may be configured with one or more dispensers  1051 ,  1061  and/or control modules  1052 ,  1062 . Many suitable structures are described herein and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. [titled “Disintegrating Tract Interaction System,” filed 17 Oct. 2007], also by Boyden et al., incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith. In some such embodiments, each tether  1037  of interest may comprise one or more segments  1041  directly or indirectly coupling a reservoir-containing module (such as module  1010  or module  1050 ) with one or more of its dispensers  1021 . In some variants, moreover, such modules  1010 ,  1050 ,  1060  may comprise control modules  1052 ,  1062  or other circuitry operable for handling one or more wireless signals  1039  passing to or from external module  1040 . Alternatively or additionally, each tether  1037  of interest may comprise one or more segments  1042  directly or indirectly coupling a reservoir-containing module with one or more of its sense modules  1022 . In various embodiments described herein, such dispensers, sensor modules, and support structures therefore may each be inside, outside, or spanning the gastric compartment or, in some cases, extending outside the tract. In some variants, one or more such segments  1041 ,  1042  configured to support such devices in intestine  1080  comprise structures of a (positive) solubility in a gastric compartment low enough to remain in situ for more than a day (or month or year), as described herein. Alternatively or additionally one or more such modules  1010 ,  1050 ,  1060  may include two or more (component) modules similarly tethered together as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, one or more such modules  1010 ,  1050 ,  1060  or other fluid-exposed structures depicted herein may comprise at least an external layer primarily made of one or more water insoluble polymers such as cellulose derivatives (i.e., ethylcellulose), polyvinyl acetate, neutral copolymers based on ethyl acrylate and methylmethacrylate, copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid esters with quaternary ammonium groups, or the like. In some embodiments, polymers used in forming such low-solubility elements may be plasticized. Examples of plasticizers that may be used for this purpose include, but are not limited to, triacetin, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, acetyl tri-n-butyl citrate diethyl phthalate, castor oil, dibutyl sebacate, acetylated monoglycerides, or the like and/or substantially any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more such plasticizers may be present at about 5 to 50 weight percent and more typically about 10 to 25 weight percent based on the polymer to which the plasticizer is added. The type of plasticizer and its content depends on the polymer or polymers and/or the nature of the coating system. 
     In some embodiments, water-soluble nonionic polysaccharide derivatives may be used to wrap one or more therapeutic agents or other soluble structures for rapid release. For example, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and/or sodium carboxymethylcellulose may be used. Such polymers form coatings that quickly dissolve in digestive fluids or water and have a high permeability. Accordingly, in some embodiments, such polymers may be used for rapid release responsive to ingestion. 
     In some embodiments, one or more therapeutic agents or other structures may be wrapped in a wrapper that provides for sustained release of the one or more therapeutic agents. For example, one or more therapeutic agents may be released continuously over twelve hours through use of wrappers constructed from ethyl cellulose and an ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate-ethyl trimethylammoniumchloride methacrylate copolymer as the release controlling wrapper. Existing methods and materials that may be used to prepare such wrappers are known by those skilled in the art and are commercially available (i.e., Rohm Pharma, Piscataway, N.J.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,656,507; 7,048,945; 7,056,951; hereby incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith). 
     Some variants of system  1000  may be characterized as medical or veterinary systems comprising one or more material supplies in module  1010  operable for placement within a stomach (gastric compartment  1070 ) and operably coupled with one or more conduits in tether  1037  to guide material from the module  1010  out of the stomach. Many reservoir-containing structures described herein are well suited for such trans-gastric dispensations of therapeutic or other agents. In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for preparing appropriate such drug delivery formulations, as described herein, without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,414 (“Controlled release oral drug delivery system”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,566 (“Particulate drug-containing products and method of manufacture”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,851 (“Oral formulation for gastrointestinal drug delivery”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,356 (“Orally administered drug delivery system providing temporal and spatial control”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,503 (“Hydrogel-forming sustained-release preparation”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,517 (“Stem configuration to reduce seal abrasion in metered dose aerosol valves”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,534 (“Preparation capable of releasing drug at target site in intestine”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,720 (“Medicinal compositions adhering to stomach/duodenum”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,475,521 (“Biphasic controlled release delivery system for high solubility pharmaceuticals and method”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,086 (“Pharmaceutical preparations for the controlled release of beta-lactam antibiotics”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,917 (“Aerosol holding chamber for a metered-dose inhaler”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,237 (“Methods of dry powder inhalation”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,069 (“Pulmonary delivery of pharmaceuticals”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,989,217 (“Medicine administering device for nasal cavities”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,587 (“Apparatus and method for the treatment of esophageal varices and mucosal neoplasms”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,261 (“Viral vaccines”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,180 (“Methods for treating pulmonary vasoconstriction and asthma”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,051 (“Unit dose dry powder inhaler”). Those skilled in the art will also recognize how to apply numerous existing techniques for taking provisional, alternate, overlapping, or completion actions relating to such applications as exemplified herein without undue experimentation, in light of these teachings. One or more wireless signals  1039  may be used directly to control some or all aspects of activating one or more such dispensers  1021 ,  1061  on a selective basis, for example. Sense module  1022  may be configured to signal one or more dispensers  1021 ,  1051  to reduce, postpone, or forego an output of a bioactive material, for example, in response to a high level of such materials (or metabolytes or other indicators thereof) being detected. Alternatively or additionally, such functionality may be configured to depend on whether one or more modules  1010 ,  1050 ,  1060  are depleted, not yet deployed, disintegrated, or in some other condition that may prevent effective operation. 
     In some cases, such functionality may likewise depend upon one or more other determinants in substantially any desired combination: upon whether excessive acidity or some other symptom has been detected directly, upon whether an a priori attribute of a subject makes a bioactive material unnecessary and/or unsafe for a potential dispensation, upon whether the subject has contemporaneously requested or otherwise authorized a pain reliever, upon how long a time has elapsed since a prior dispensation, upon other state or timing factors as described herein, upon how much remains of a reservoir or other bioactive material supply, upon whether a subject has taken alcohol or any other controlled substance, or upon other determinants such as are known in the art. Such combinations may each be effectuated by comparative, arithmetic, conjunctive, or other operators relating each pairing of determinants described herein, for example. 
     In light of these teachings, numerous existing techniques may be applied for performing appropriate telemetry or otherwise handling wireless signals as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,262,020 (“Methods for comparing relative flux rates of two or more biological molecules in vivo through a single protocol”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,182 (“Wireless in-vivo information acquiring system, body-insertable device, and external device”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,258 (“Capsule and method for treating or diagnosing the intestinal tract”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,216 (“Implantable muscle stimulation device for treating gastro-intestinal reflux disease”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,529 (“Method and apparatus for transmitting non-image information via an image sensor in an in vivo imaging system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,636 (“Internal drug dispenser capsule medical device”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,655 (“Manipulation of microparticles in microfluidic systems”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,504 (“Delivery of bioactive compounds to an organism”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,411,842 (“Implant device for internal-external electromyographic recording, particularly for the in vivo study of electromotor activity of the digestive system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,897 (“Remote physiological monitoring system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,647 (“Pulsed administration of compositions for the treatment of blood disorders”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,123 (“Apparatus and method for determining a mechanical property of an organ or body cavity by impedance determination”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,153 (“Method for evaluating immunosuppressive regimens”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,129 (“Method for increasing the service life of an implantable sensor”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,631 (“Spectrophotometer for measuring the metabolic condition of a subject”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,186 (“Closed loop infusion pump system with removable glucose sensor”). Those skilled in the art will also recognize how to apply numerous existing techniques for taking provisional, alternate, overlapping, or completion actions relating to such applications as exemplified herein without undue experimentation, in light of these teachings. Sense module  1022  may be configured to transmit one or more selection indications wirelessly, for example, or to communicate such information via a signal conduit to module  1010 , which subsequently transmits an audible or other wireless signal. In some variants, for example, module  1010  includes a signal bearing conduit to a speaker in a subject&#39;s jaw or ear to notify the subject of a dispensation. 
     An enlarged view is shown of a portion of tether  1037  comprising a segment  1041  having one or more flow path(s)  1038  for a fluid material to be released into digestive fluid  1065  through dispenser  1021  (when valve  1020  is open). Valve  1020  may actuate as a mechanical response to the fluid material exceeding a threshold pressure and/or as an electromechanical or other response to other information passing through the flow path(s)  1038 . Tether  1037  may likewise include segment  1042  to other dispensers and/or sense modules, optionally coupled via extensions of one or more of the flow paths  1038  as shown. Segment  1042  may optionally comprise optical fiber, for example, providing mechanical support for and an image data flow path from one or more lenses or other sensors. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 11 , shown is an example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. As shown system  1100  may (optionally) include a catheter  1110  containing several modules  1131 ,  1132 ,  1134 ,  1135  each within gastric compartment  1170  and small enough to pass through tract  1101  individually. In some variants, catheter  1110  may be small enough to pass through a nasal passage, for example. Alternatively or additionally, catheter  1110  may comprise one or more inner sleeves or other adapters  1115  configured for use in manipulating one or more modules in situ, such as by urging module  1131  outward, by applying an adhesive, by cutting a tether, or for other operations as described herein in various implementations. As shown, most or all of such modules  1131 ,  1132 ,  1134 ,  1135  are strung onto a common tether  1133 , preferably in a configuration that is dosed, sequenced, or otherwise tailored for administration to a specific patient, and optionally within a soluble capsule. In some variants, the tether is strung through a non-axial portion of one or more intermediate modules  1132 ,  1134  so that tension in the tether tends to urge the grouping of modules to become less coaxial. Such tension can be preloaded in an elastic length of tether  1133 , for example, so that a shape change occurs immediately in response to an expulsion from catheter  1110  or a capsule, or later in response to detectable environmental changes. Such shape changes may be configured to occur in response a sufficiently-long exposure to an acidic and/or aqueous environment, a body-temperature environment, an electrically conductive environment, or other such environmental circumstances indicative of entry into a specific portion of a tract of a given subject. Such shape changes in gastric compartment  1170  may cause a grouping of several modules  1131 ,  1132 ,  1134 ,  1135  to become too large to pass through pylorus  1175  and too irregular for them to become a problematic blockage. For example, some or all of the modules  1131 ,  1132 ,  1134 ,  1135  may be configured to swell or otherwise remove slack from and/or introduce tension into tether  1133 . If tether  1133  is configured in a loop, for example, such swelling will tend to cause the modules to become less collinear, and thus less likely for pylorus  1175  to be blocked. 
     In most contexts, a single module is “small enough to pass through a tract” if a physician, veterinarian, or other skilled care provider would consider it safe for an inert item of that size to pass through the tract without becoming an obstruction. For most human beings and other mammals this corresponds with a module that is narrower than an eyeball (e.g., at most about 2 centimeters wide) and at most a few times as long as the eyeball (e.g., up to several centimeters long), and a slightly larger size for highly pliable modules. An unobstructed, normal tract in a human adult of typical size, for example, may reasonably be expected to pass an inert module as large as a penny or AAA battery but not one as large as a typical pen or golf ball. 
     In most contexts, a module may be described as “at least 10% as large” as an item if the module is at least 10% as long as the item. The module is likewise “at least 10% as large” as the item if the module is at least 10% as voluminous as the item, taking the volume of each to include the volume of any bores or other regions of concavity therein. In an embodiment in which module  1132  is “at least 10% as large” as module  1131 , for example, either of these module may accordingly be larger than the other in terms of length or volume. 
     In most contexts, a tether is “operable for coupling” modules via a gap if the tether helps to maintain the modules in a vicinity of each other by extending at least partly into the gap. One or more such tethers may wrap around several such modules, for example, securing them at least partly within one or more recesses of a ring, spool, or cup. 
     In some variants, system  1100  is initially configured so that catheter  1110  contains several modules  1131 ,  1132 ,  1134 ,  1135  each small enough to pass (safely) through tract  1101 . As shown, “second” module  1135  may be sized within an order of magnitude of “first” module  1131 , at least in terms of length, and/or with “second” module  1135  somewhat shorter than “first” module  1131 . Alternatively or additionally, “third” module  1134  may (optionally) be at least half as voluminous as “first” and/or “second” modules  1131 ,  1135 . One or more instances of intermediate modules  1132 ,  1134  may (optionally) each comprise a unitary body having an overall average density smaller than 0.9 grams per milliliter, such modules tending to remain in gastric compartment  1170  for a time even after tether  1133  no longer operates. 
     Various modes of surgery-optional and/or catheter-optional deployment are described herein for maintaining mooring and/or utility modules in a gastric compartment for a controllable and/or extended period—4 hours, a day, a week, a month, or more—in various contexts. Such prolonged durations may be achieved, for example, by including one or more flotation modules  1150 , one or more magnetic modules  1160 , one or more (pylorus-)spanning modules  1180 , one or more expandable modules  1190 , suitable adhesion or piercing features, or other modes as described herein. For example, various configurations of magnetic-flux-generating or other magnetic-flux-guiding modules may be implanted or otherwise positioned adjacent pylorus  1175 , on a removable belt worn by a subject, or otherwise in a vicinity of tract  1101 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 12 , shown is an example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. As shown tract  1201  may include gastric compartment  1270  containing one or more systems  1200  such as tethered groups  1250 ,  1260 ,  1280 ,  1290 . Each such system  1200  may include one or more instances of modules  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  as shown, for example, in a sufficient number so that system  1200  has an effective cross-sectional diameter  1202  too large to permit exit from gastric compartment  1270  in any orientation. Some embodiments of system  1200  may further comprise one or more additional modules  1275  coupled with such a group by surgical thread or a similarly flexible tether  1276  about 1 centimeter or more in length. 
     System  1200  may include one or more modules  1210  each comprising a cube-like unitary body  1211  with six primary external surfaces  1219  all bounded by a substantially convex external surface  1218 . Module  1210  may further include one or more instances of bores  1215  or other gaps configured to facilitate passage or other guidance of one or more tethers as described herein. Module  1210  may also include one or more instances of (incremental) dispensers  1213 ,  1214 , fluidic access to at least some of which may be controlled by circuitry  1217  as described herein. 
     Alternatively or additionally, system  1200  may (optionally) include one or more modules  1220 , an instance of which is shown at a somewhat magnified scale similar to that of module  1210 . Module  1220  may comprise an oblong unitary body having a length  1221  of about 1 millimeter or larger, and at least 10% greater than its cross-sectional diameter  1222 . The body is bounded by an upper surface having (at least somewhat) longitudinal ribs  1228  as well as a plurality of other faces  1229 . At least one such face  1229  may be situated adjacent one or more flux-guiding elements  1226  operable for responding to a magnetic field within a portion of the tract. Such an instance may thus tend to align (or resist misalignment) with one or more other modules of system  1200 , for example, if either is implemented as a permanent magnet or electromagnet. This can be particularly useful for controlling a mode of expansion in embodiments like that of group  1260  in which opposite ends of the tether are situated in different modules, for example. While in the tract, moreover, such flux-guiding elements may be safely and reliably drawn to a tract wall, for example, by providing a strong magnetic field from outside the tract. Module  1220  may likewise include one or more instances of dispensers  1223 , fluidic access to at least some of which may be controlled by circuitry  1227  as described herein. 
     Alternatively or additionally, system  1200  may (optionally) include one or more modules  1230 , an instance of which is shown at a somewhat magnified scale similar to those of other modules  1210 ,  1220  described above. Module  1230  as shown has a unitary, substantially polyhedral body  1231  with one or more convex external surfaces  1238  and several other surfaces  1239 . (In some embodiments, such other surfaces  1239  may each comprise saddle regions, recesses, or otherwise structured surfaces as described herein.) Module  1230  may include one or more instances of passive dispensers  1233  each containing 1-15 grams of medicinal material configured to dissolve somewhat uniformly in gastric compartment  1270  over one or more days, weeks, or months. Module  1230  may likewise include one or more instances of dispensers  1233 ,  1234  and/or rotationally asymmetric gaps  1235  for accommodating various tether configurations as described herein. 
     Alternatively or additionally, system  1200  may (optionally) include one or more modules  1240 , an instance of which is shown at a somewhat magnified scale similar to those of other modules  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230  described above. Module  1240  may (optionally) comprise a unitary body having an overall average density smaller than 0.9 grams per milliliter and/or a cross-sectional diameter  1242  larger than one millimeter. Alternatively or additionally, module  1240  may include one or more passages  1248  or other gaps collectively sufficient for receiving more than one tether or tether winding. Module  1240  may likewise include one or more instances of dispensers  1243 ,  1244 , fluidic access to at least some of which may be controlled by circuitry  1247  as described herein. 
     In some embodiments, system  1200  may be configured so that the “first” module comprises module  1210 , so that the “second” module comprises module  1220 , and so that the “third” module comprises module  1230 , all coupled by a single common tether. In some such embodiments, the relative scaling of modules  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230  is such that “second” module  1220  (i.e. at length  1221 ) is at least half as long and/or voluminous as “first” module  1210 . Alternatively or additionally, “third” module  1230  may (optionally) be made larger so that it is more voluminous than “first” module  1210  and/or “second” module  1220 . In some variants, moreover, system  1200  may further comprise one or more instances of module  1240  as shown, a “fourth” module having a length  1241  more than twice the width thereof. Alternatively or additionally, tract  1201  may (optionally) contain tethered group  1250  comprising several modules  1251 ,  1252 ,  1253  bound together by a single common tether  1258 . Tethered group  1250  may likewise include other modules, some or all of which may optionally be bound by other tethers (not shown) to create a desired configuration. In some embodiments, module  1253  may have a cross-sectional diameter  1255  larger than one millimeter, optionally 2-5 millimeters or larger. 
     Alternatively or additionally, tract  1201  may (optionally) contain group  1260  comprising several modules  1261 ,  1262 ,  1263  bound together by a single, primarily elastic tether  1268 . (Group  1260  is shown in tension to expose a plurality of substantially flat faces  1267  on each module.) In some embodiments, group  1260  is configured so that the “first” module comprises module  1261  and so that the “third” module comprises module  1263 , and so that one or both of these implement module  1220 . Module  1261  may (optionally) comprise one or more instances of dispenser  1223  containing a total of 1-15 grams of medicinal material, for example, such as an antibiotic or statin. Moreover in some variants “third” module  1263  may be more than half as voluminous as, or may be more voluminous than, “first” module  1261  and/or “second” module  1262 . Alternatively or additionally, “third” module  1263  may be at least half as long as, or may be longer than, “first” module  1261  and/or “second” module  1262 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, tract  1201  may (optionally) contain tethered group  1280  comprising several modules  1281 ,  1282 ,  1283  (each small enough to pass through tract  1201  individually but prevented from such passage by virtue of being) bound together by a single common tether  1288 . Any or all of modules  1281 ,  1282 ,  1283  may be configured as instances of module  1210 , each optionally implementing circuitry  1217 , dispenser  1213 , or other attributes of module  1210  as described herein. As shown, modules  1281 - 1283  may be supported along at least a rotationally asymmetric portion of tether  1288 . Alternatively or additionally, the “third” module  1283  may be at least half as voluminous as the “second” module  1282 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, tract  1201  may (optionally) contain tethered group  1290  comprising several modules  1291 ,  1292 ,  1293 ,  1294 ,  1295 ,  1296 ,  1297 ,  1299 , at least some of which are small enough to pass through tract  1201  individually but prevented from such passage by virtue of being bound together in tethered group  1290 . Any or all of modules  1291 - 1297  and  1299  may be configured as instances of other modules described herein. Tether  1298  binds together at least a “first” module  1299  and some of the other modules  1291 - 1297 . Alternatively or additionally, as shown, “first” and/or “second” ones of modules  1294 - 1297  may each be more than twice as long as each respective width thereof. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 13 , shown is an example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. As shown system  1300  may include at least one tether  1308  binding several non-aligned modules  1310  within fluid  1365 . Tether  1308  may comprise one or more distal portions  1309  bounding a “middle” portion  1304  containing or otherwise overlapping one or more other portions  1301 ,  1302 ,  1303 ,  1305 ,  1306 . Each of modules  1310  is roughly of similar size and small enough to pass through an entire tract containing fluid  1365  (at least after an appropriate deflation). Tether  1308  effectively couples a “first” and “second” ones of modules  1310  via a gap in (at least) a “third” module, tether  1308  having at least a middle portion  1304  configured to slip free from the “third” module responsive to the tether breaking or being released. 
     In some embodiments, any “first” or “second” module as described herein may comprise a ratchet clamp  1360  comprising one or more flexible members  1362  extending into one or more corresponding recesses  1368  of tether  1361  so that tether  1361  can be pulled outward (downward as shown) from the module but resists retraction. In some variants of system  1100  (of  FIG. 11 ), for example, such a mechanism can be used by adapter  1115  to remove slack from (and optionally place static tension into) at least a middle portion of tether  1133 . Excess length of tether  1133  can then be pulled free (if notched or perforated, for example) or cut off (with a cutting device of adapter  1115 , for example, not shown). 
     Alternatively or additionally, any “first” or “second” module as described herein may comprise a grasped (tether) end  1370  comprising one or more flexible members  1371 ,  1372  gripping a rotationally symmetric portion of an end of tether  1377  at an orifice  1379  (such as may implement distal portion  1309  of tether  1308 ). In some variants, such flexible members  1371  may be calibrated so that they will release tether  1377  in response to a predetermined tensile force (upward as shown) urging tether  1377  to be released by the module. In some variants, a tether  1377  includes a smooth distal portion  1309 , facilitating the release of such modules from the “second” module, for example. 
     Alternatively or additionally, any “second” or “third” module as described herein may comprise a knotted (tether) end  1380  in which a stopper or other suitable knot  1388  is used in conjunction with a bore  1389  having a cross-sectional diameter  1382  larger than a cross-sectional diameter  1381  of the tether but smaller than that of the knot  1388 . The bore may (optionally) have a tapered portion  1386  so that part of the bore is large enough to accommodate a portion of the knot. 
     Alternatively or additionally, any module as described herein may comprise a clamped end  1390  in which an adhesive and/or expansive element  1395  expands or otherwise emerges when exposed to fluid  1365  (from one or more recessed portions  1396  of module  1394 , for example) to secure a distal portion of a tether  1393 . Such clamping may result from adhesive activation and/or from a compression fit, for example, resulting from element  1395  reacting to water in fluid  1365 . 
     In some embodiments, system  1300  comprises several (“first,” “second,” and “other”) modules  1310  bound by tether  1308 , optionally for deployment via a flexible catheter or soft gelatin capsule into an animal needing treatments over an extended period (of several days or months, for example). Any or all such modules  1310  may each comprise one or more instances of circuitry for controlling one or more dispensers  1350  and/or a unitary body having an overall average density smaller than 0.9 grams per milliliter. In some embodiments, for example, enough buoyant modules may be included so that the overall average density of system  1300  is smaller than that of fluid  1365 . 
     In some embodiments, a therapeutic agent may be placed into one or more dispensers  1350  described herein, optionally packaged with one or more solid or gel phase carriers or excipients. Examples of such carriers or excipients include, but are not limited to, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars, starches, cellulose derivatives, pregelatinized starch, polymers such as polyethylene glycols, lactose, lactose monohydrate, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and substantially any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, therapeutic agents that are hydrophobic may be packaged through use of a cosolvent system comprising benzyl alcohol, a nonpolar surfactant, a water-miscible organic polymer, and an aqueous phase. The cosolvent system may be the VPD co-solvent system. VPD is a solution of 5 percent weight/volume benzyl alcohol, 8 percent weight/volume of the nonpolar surfactant polysorbate 80, and 65 percent weight/volumen polyethylene glycol 500, made up to volume in absolute ethanol. The VPD co-solvent system (VPD: 5 W) consists of VPD diluted 1:1 with a 7 percent dextrose in water solution. This co-solvent system dissolves hydrophobic therapeutic agents well, and itself produces low toxicity upon systemic administration. The proportions of a co-solvent system may be varied considerably without destroying its solubility and toxicity characteristics. Furthermore, the identity of the co-solvent components may be varied: for example, other low-toxicity nonpolar surfactants may be used instead of polysorbate 80; the fraction size of polyethylene glycol may be varied; other biocompatible polymers may replace polyethylene glycol (i.e., polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and other sugars or polysaccharides may substitute for dextrose). Many other delivery systems may be used to administer hydrophobic therapeutic agents as well. For example, liposomes and emulsions are well known examples of delivery vehicles or carriers for hydrophobic drugs. Certain organic solvents such as dimethysulfoxide also may be employed, although usually at the cost of greater toxicity. 
     Some therapeutic agents may be packaged as salts with pharmaceutically compatible counter ions. Pharmaceutically compatible salts may be formed with many acids, including hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc. Salts of therapeutic agents tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents than are the corresponding free-base forms. 
     Numerous carriers and excipients are known and are commercially available (i.e., The Merck Index, 13th Edition, An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals, Merck &amp; Co. Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J. 2001; Mosby&#39;s Drug Guide, Mosby, Inc., St. Louis, Mo. 2004; Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th Edition, Lippincott Williams &amp; Wilkins, Philadelphia, Pa. 2000; Physicians&#39; Desk Reference, Thompson, P D R, Montvale, N.J. 2004; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,773,721; 7,053,107; 7,049,312 and Published U.S. Patent Application No. 20040224916; herein incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith). In some embodiments, such methods may be used with regard to one or more dietary or other regimen compliance objectives and/or combinations of one or more pharmaceutical or nutraceutical agents with one or more aspects of diet, or other subject attributes. 
     One or more instances of tethers  1308  among modules  1310  may (optionally) include one or more elastic (length) portions  1301  each operable for a nominally elastic deformation of at least 10%. (Middle portion  1304  contains or otherwise at least overlaps elastic portion  1301 .) In some variants system  1300  is configured with one or more such elastic portions  1301  totaling at least half of (an entire length of) tether  1308 . Alternatively or additionally, tethers described herein may comprise one or more inelastic portions  1302  (of middle portion  1304 ) optionally including a notch or other configured breakage mechanism. In some contexts, nominally “inelastic” length portions normally deform permanently or break if stretched by 10% or more. 
     In some embodiments, a “semi-soluble” element is one that is configured to break down in more than an hour but less than a week, and a “substantially insoluble” element is less soluble than this. Numerous water insoluble polymers may be used to reduce a compound&#39;s solubility, for example, such as cellulose derivatives (i.e., ethylcellulose), polyvinyl acetate, neutral copolymers based on ethyl acrylate and methylmethacrylate, copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid esters with quaternary ammonium groups, or the like. In some embodiments, polymers used in forming such less-soluble elements may be plasticized. Examples of plasticizers that may be used for this purpose include, but are not limited to, triacetin, tributyl citrate, triethyl citrate, acetyl tri-n-butyl citrate diethyl phthalate, castor oil, dibutyl sebacate, acetylated monoglycerides, or the like and/or substantially any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more such plasticizers may be present at about 5 to 50 weight percent and more typically about 10 to 25 weight percent based on the polymer to which the plasticizer is added. The type of plasticizer and its content depends on the polymer or polymers and/or the nature of the coating system. 
     In some embodiments, water-soluble nonionic polysaccharide derivatives may be used to wrap one or more therapeutic agents for rapid release. For example, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and/or sodium carboxymethylcellulose may be used. Such polymers form coatings that quickly dissolve in digestive fluids or water and have a high permeability. Accordingly, in some embodiments, such polymers may be used for rapid release of one or more therapeutic agents that are wrapped in such a wrapper following administration to an individual. 
     In some embodiments, one or more therapeutic agents may be wrapped in a wrapper that provides for sustained release of the one or more therapeutic agents. For example, one or more therapeutic agents may be released continuously over twelve hours through use of wrappers constructed from ethyl cellulose and an ethyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate-ethyl trimethylammoniumchloride methacrylate copolymer as the release controlling wrapper. Existing methods and materials that may be used to prepare such wrappers are known by those skilled in the art and are commercially available (i.e., Rohm Pharma, Piscataway, N.J.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,656,507; 7,048,945; 7,056,951; hereby incorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith). 
     In some embodiments, tethers described herein may be made integrally with one or more modules and/or include one or more strands of surgical thread, polymer, or other materials of suitable elasticity and strand structure. In many contexts, tether  1308  may be implemented to include one or more other instances of soluble portions  1305 , dispensers  1350  or inelastic portions  1306  (of middle portion  1304 ). In some variants, for example, inelastic portion  1306  may be configured to separate when loaded with more than a calibrated tension T, where T is at least 1-10 pounds and/or at most 10-100 pounds. Tether  1308  may, for example, be configured as a compound structure that includes one or more modules joining two or more tether segments end-to-end. Tether  1268  may likewise be formed as a loop, for example, by module  1261  grasping both ends of a simple tether passing through other modules  1262 ,  1263 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 14 , shown is a system positioned at least in a vicinity subject  1402  in which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  1400  may comprise one or more medical or veterinary utility modules  1420  comprising one or more bodies  1440  supported via one or more adaptable extender modules comprising a (rigid or other) prostheses  1415  or other support within the head and/or neck position and one or more supple extenders  1417  therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, such extenders or their portions  1421 ,  1422  may likewise be supported nasal stents, surgical staples in cranial or throat positions (such as the hard palate, nasal cartilage, or cricoid cartilage  1442 , for example), nasal stents, or other such local modules  1410 . Exemplary structures and modes of operation may be found, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/417,898 (“Controllable release nasal system”), having overlapping inventors herewith, incorporated by reference herein. See also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/716,645 (“Orthonostric device and method of forming the same”). In some variants, extender  1417  may pass beside tongue  1416  and optionally into a side of the throat of subject  1402  with minimal interaction with the soft palate. Alternatively or additionally, a tether or other portions  1421 ,  1422  of one or more extenders  1417  may be coated along at least some of their length with an anesthetic-containing material. 
     Such tethers or other such supple structures may extend into esophagus  1443  or other parts of subject  1402 , as described further below. Body  1440  may comprise one or more auditory or other sensors as described herein. Body  1440  may likewise comprise one or more dispensers, particularly those having a flow path from reservoir positions at oral and/or gastric modules  141 ,  144  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). In some variants, an upper portion  1421  of extender  1417  has a flexural modulus of at least about 10 megapascals. Alternatively or additionally, a lower portion  1422  has a flexural modulus of at most about 20 megapascals. Such extenders may likewise include one or more active components (not shown) operable to bend one or more coupling to keep mucous membrane irritation at an acceptably low level. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 15 , shown is an example of a system  1500  immersed in digestive fluid  1565 . System  1500  comprises several modules  1501 ,  1502 ,  1503 ,  1504  strung onto a single common tether  1538  having an average diameter  1597  less than 10% of length  1596 . The modules  1501 - 1504  may be held together by one or more capsules  1580  and/or bands  1590  to facilitate ingestion. As shown, system  1500  may (optionally) include one or more longest modules  1503 ,  1504  having a length  1596  about 1-2 times that of an eyeball of the subject). For a typical human adult, for example, such a length  1596  may be longer than 5 centimeters and/or less than 6 centimeters. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 16 , shown is an end view of system  1500  (as viewed from the right, relative to  FIG. 15 ). Each of modules  1501 - 1504  has roughly the same diameter  1693  as one another, as shown, within a factor of 2. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of modules  1501 - 1504  may likewise have roughly the same length as length  1596 , within a factor of 2. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 17 , shown is an end view of system  1500  (as viewed from the left, relative to  FIG. 15 ). Unlike the view in  FIG. 16 , tether  1538  appears roughly horizontal, stretched between respective tabs  1791 ,  1794 . Each of modules  1501 - 1504  has one or more tabs  1791 ,  1794  at each end as shown. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 18 , shown is an example of a medical or veterinary system  1800  comprising the modules  1501 - 1504  of  FIGS. 15-17  in a fully expanded configuration. Tether  1538  may be configured as a taut loop in this configuration, effectively coupling each pair of these modules  1501 - 1504  via a bore or other gap  1839  in each of the modules. In a variant in which one or more device(s)  1811 ,  1815  is configured to sever or otherwise release respective ends of tether  1538  within gap  1839  of module  1501 , for example, the gaps  1839  of one or more other modules  1502 - 1504  are large enough to permit tether  1538  to slip free so that all of the modules  1501 - 1504  may pass separately and safely per vias naturales. Such device(s)  1811 ,  1815  may (optionally) be configured to effect such a release in response to one or more of a temperature change indicating entry into a stomach, a pH change of more than 2 points or some other indication of a sensed position, a remote control signal, an excessive tension in tether  1538 , or some other indication that system  1800  should or should not be fully expanded in a subject&#39;s current circumstances. Such device(s)  1811  may be configured to permit a clinical care provider to prevent or abort a deployment in the event that system  1800  has apparently begun to deploy in an esophagus or small intestine, for example. In some variants, such a ring-type module may support a tube or other tether extending out of a gastric compartment as described herein. 
     For a typical human adult, a deployed diameter  1895  may (optionally) be longer than 6 centimeters and/or less than 8 centimeters. As shown, modules  1501 - 1504  each has a nominal module length more than twice as long as its (respective) average cross-sectional diameter  1693 . At least one of the modules  1503  may (optionally) have exactly one reservoir  1853 . In some variants, each such reservoir  1852 ,  1853  may contain a respective therapeutic agent or a partial dosage of a common therapeutic agent. Alternatively or additionally, each such reservoir  1852 ,  1853  may be configured for dispensation under respectively different conditions. In some variants, for example, one or more other reservoirs  1851 ,  1854  may comprise a dispenser containing one or more of an antiviral or other antimicrobial agent, or some other component of a complex therapeutic regimen. In some variants, one or more such reservoirs  1851 - 1854  may comprise one or more of an anti-seizure medication, warfarin or other anticoagulant medications, insulin or other hormones, or other dosage-sensitive therapeutic agents. 
     To achieve the expanded configuration of system  1800  conveniently, at least some of tether  1538  may (optionally) be constructed of a sufficiently elastic material able to be stretched by at least about 5-10% with negligible damage. Alternatively or additionally, some or all of tether  1538  may be constructed to contract in an aqueous and/or acidic environment. Alternatively or additionally, one or more modules  1501 - 1504  may advantageously comprise an initially compressed body (especially as shown in  FIG. 15 ), a body that swells in an aqueous and/or acidic environment, a shape memory element, and/or some other suitable uptake mechanism. Many such existing uptake mechanisms may be effectively implemented for this purpose (in device  1814 , for example) without undue experimentation, as exemplified in U.S. patent application Ser. No. [titled “Disintegrating Tract Interaction System,” filed 17 Oct. 2007], also by Boyden et al. Such an active uptake mechanism may be triggered by a disengagement of band  1590 , a significant increase of ambient conductivity (and/or pressure or temperature, e.g.), or some other deployment-indicative condition. Other changes can occur as a mechanical or automatic response to such changes, such as a relaxation in crease  1834  causing port  1835  to open. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 19 , shown is a partial view  1850  of the expanded medical or veterinary system  1800  of  FIG. 18 , magnified and in cross-section. Here it is apparent that module  1501  comprises reservoir  1851  and a sleeve or other gap  1839  through which tether  1538  passes. Module  1504  likewise comprises reservoir  1854  and a sleeve or other gap  1839  through which tether  1538  also passes. Tether  1538  effectively couples module  1501  with module  1504  through gap  1839  as shown. Tether  1538  also has a “middle portion” (in  FIG. 18 ) configured to slip free from modules  1502 ,  1503  responsive to tether  1538  dissolving, breaking, or otherwise decoupling module  1501  from module  1504 . 
     To maintain an expanded configuration like system  1800  in a gastric compartment, in some variants, each adjacent pair of modules may advantageously include a magnetic, adhesive, mechanical, or other latching feature such as tabs  1791 ,  1794  operable to extend into an adjacent module, for example. Such tabs  1791 ,  1794  may latch together (as shown in  FIG. 19 ) or otherwise engage as respective faces  1929  thereof are drawn adjacent one another by tension in tether  1538  (in response to immersion in fluid  1565 , for example). The protrusion  1998  of tab  1791  into module  1504  may (optionally) be about one millimeter or less, as shown. In some variants, moreover, such an engagement mechanism may release or relax in response to a slackening of tether  1538 . This can occur, for example, in a configuration in which tab  1791  bears (upward as shown) against tether  1538 , optionally enough to release tab  1794  in response to an absence of force (downward as shown) exerted by tether  1538 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 20 , shown is a tract portion and adjacent anatomical structures of a subject  2002  in a vicinity of which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  2000  may comprise one or more bodies  2040  respectively or collectively coupled with or via one or more tethers  2030  extending within or outside gastric compartment. In some variants, such tethers may extend downward (see  FIG. 1 ) or upward into or through esophagus  2043 . Tether  2030  may (optionally) extend to one or more dispensers  2021  and/or other modules  2025  in a vicinity of larynx  2045  or trachea  2047 , for example, optionally permitting one or more therapeutic material dispensations  2029  (e.g. in pulmonary administrations via bronchi  2049 ). In various embodiments, such dispensations may comprise a mist, aerosol or other suspension, mixture, or other material combination as described herein. Such tethers may be supported by one or more dental prosthetheses  2015  via one or more supports  2017 , or by simply being tied around a tooth. In some variants, support  2017  passes beside tongue  2016  and optionally into a side of the throat of subject  2002  with minimal interaction with the subject&#39;s soft palate. Alternatively or additionally, tether  2030  may be supported by being coated along its length with an anesthetic-infused adhesive, by being supported by a surgical staple or other implanted structure (e.g. at cricoid cartilage  2042 ), and/or by being fastened to one or more nasal stents or other such anatomical interface structures suitable for use in the present context. See, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/716,645 (“Orthonostric device and method of forming the same”). 
     For insulin or other hormones, or hormone mimics, or for many other bioactive substances described herein, a formulation may be provided in a sufficiently concentrated form so that about 1 to 50 milligrams per day (or per dispensation) thereof is therapeutically effective. Such volumes are sufficient for treating a variety of pathologies according to existing inhaler regimens, for example, or for compliance with other physician-specified regimens, or for more appropriate responses to emergency situations. For a liquid formulation of this type, for example, dispenser  2021  may include a porous membrane through which a liquid formulation passes for aerosolization. A variety other suitable forms of dispenser  2021  are also readily implemented in light of teachings herein. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,029 (“System and method for improved volume measurement”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,686 (“Inhaled insulin dosage control delivery enhanced by controlling total inhaled volume”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,690 (“Dry powder inhalers, related blister devices, and associated methods of dispensing dry powder substances and fabricating blister packages”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,379 (“Aerosolized active agent delivery”). 
     In some variants, system  2000  may include one or more signal or other flow path(s)  2031  through or along tethers as described herein. One or more such paths  2031 ,  2032  may extend to a sublingual dispenser  2026 , for example, or to or from a location in the throat, nasal passage, intestine  1080  (of  FIG. 10 ), or other site in a vicinity of tract  1001  and/or subject  2002 . In some variants, for example, a signal flow path responsive to a nutrient level detected at sense module  1022  may (optionally) travel up tether  1037  to one or more modules in gastric chamber  1070  implementing one or more of modules  1010 ,  1050  comprising body  2040 , for example. Such detectable nutrients may comprise one or more instances of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, carbohydrates, or substantially any ratio or other combination thereof. Such detection may comprise a determination whether one or more measurements indicative of one or more such nutrients (or a determinant derived from them) are within a nominal range derived from empirical data, for example, or at a lower-than-nominal level or a non-ideal level. 
     Such signal flow may then undergo a programmatic aggregation or delay and/or change form (from optical or electrical to a pressure or other mechanical manifestation, for example) before triggering dispensation via one or more dispensers  1021 ,  2021 ,  2026  optionally provided in systems  1000 ,  2000  described herein. In some variants, moreover, such dispensation may be administered to other sites, such as by routing a small flow tube into a blood vessel or other location in the abdominal cavity through an incision in the esophagus. 
     In some variants, body  2040  may have an annular configuration of a general type exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,436 (“Drug delivery device which may be retained in the stomach for a controlled period of time”). Alternatively or additionally, body  2040  may have attributes of one or more other instances of modules  2050 ,  2060 ,  2080 ,  2090  described next. 
     In an instance in which body  2040  includes one or more attributes of module  2050 , for example, body  2040  may comprise a single reservoir  2054  and/or a single-reservoir port  2051  for dispensing one or more therapeutic materials as described herein. Module  2056  further comprises a bladder or other such lower-density internal structure so that module  2050  is at least somewhat buoyant relative to fluid  2055  as shown. 
     In an instance in which body  2040  includes one or more attributes of module  2060 , for example, body  2040  may comprise a primary reservoir  2064  and one or more other reservoirs  2068  in respective chambers of a common container  2069 , optionally having higher-than-ambient pressure (by at least 1%, for example, in absolute terms). In a variant in which primary reservoir  2064  contains one or more bioactive agents, reservoir  2068  may comprise a carrier, for example, or a pressure-maintaining reservoir. In some contexts it may be preferable that container  2069  itself have a density larger than 1.1 g/ml. This may permit reservoir  2068  to contain a gaseous component for example, even without bringing the overall density of module  2060  below 0.8 g/ml. Alternatively or additionally, module  2060  may adjoin one or more conduits or other ports  2061  configured for permitting a valve elsewhere to release bioactive substances therein. 
     In an instance in which body  2040  includes one or more attributes of module  2080 , for example, body  2040  may comprise a reservoir  2084  with an irregular outer surface and/or one or more gaps  2083 , actuators, or other features for facilitating a change in a configuration thereof in situ. To further understand the operation of such features, see, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/702,888 (“Gastro-intestinal device and method for treating addiction”) or U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,095 (“Pyloric valve corking device and method”). By drawing tether  2081  through gap  2083  with a catheter or other manipulation device, for example, pressure one on or more fluids inside reservoir  2084  may be increased in situ. 
     In an instance in which body  2040  includes one or more attributes of module  2090 , for example, body  2040  may comprise a plurality of reservoirs  2094 ,  2096  having respectively different therapeutic substances therein, one or more of which may be directly releasable through their openings  2098 . Tether  2091  may likewise include flow paths in either direction (for inflating or dispensing from reservoir  2094 , for example, or for bearing electrical signals in either or both directions). Module  2090  may, in particular, combine two or more respective features of reservoir-containing modules  2050 ,  2060 ,  2080  described above, in each of the (component) reservoirs  2094 ,  2096 ,  2097  shown. In some variants, moreover, one or more such reservoirs  2097  is configured for selective release as exemplified in relation to  FIG. 22 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 22 , shown is system  2200  for use in or with body  2210  immersed adjacent fluid  2205  in which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  2200  may comprise one or more instances of instruction sequences  2216 , measurement data  2218  and/or other logic  2230 , some or all of which may reside in static or dynamic memory  2220 . Such logic  2230  may comprise one or more instances of decision modules  2221 ,  2222 ,  2223  or other control modules  2224 ; timing logic  2225 ; measurement-responsive logic  2226 ; configuration modules  2227 ; or other logic units  2228 ,  2229 . Alternatively or additionally, system  2200  may comprise one or more instances of glucose sensors  2241 , inhalation detectors  2242 , in situ sense modules, or other sensor modules  2240  as described herein. These and other components of system  2200  may be configured to bear one or more instances of identifiers  2251 ,  2252  or indications  2261 ,  2262 , such as one or more antennas  2280  or processors  2290  optionally provided therein. In addition to one or more instances of system  2200 , body  2210  may comprise one or more ports or other continuous dispensers  2201  (or one or more releasable capsules or other discrete dispensers  2202 ) configured for dispensing from a bioactive material supply  2207 . Body  2210  may likewise comprise one or more ports or other continuous dispensers  2203  (or one or more releasable capsules or other discrete dispensers  2204 ) configured for dispensing from at least one other bioactive-material-containing supply  2208 . As shown, one or more processors may implement a bioactive material selection directly or indirectly, in respective embodiments, by selectively outputting one or more actuator driver outputs  2291 ,  2292 ,  2293 ,  2294  respectively operable for initiating or otherwise controlling dispensation from dispensers  2201 - 2204  as shown. 
     In some variants, system  2200  is configured for performing one or more variants of flow  200  (of  FIG. 2 ) described herein. In an embodiment in which antenna  2280  is configured to perform operation  220 , for example, antenna  2280  may likewise receive a wireless signal (as signal  2250 ) indicative of one or more ports, supplies, or other dispensers inside tract  1001 , for example. In response, one or more decisions module  2221 - 2223  may (optionally) be configured to signal a decision of which actuator or other dispenser control of a module to activate in response to a received wireless signal. 
     In light of these teachings, numerous existing techniques may be applied for constructing capsules or other ingestible or releasable structures as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,959 (“Rapidly dissolving dosage form and process for making same”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,715 (“Method and dosage form for dispensing a bioactive substance”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,960,356 (“Orally administered drug delivery system providing temporal and spatial control”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,636 (“Internal drug dispenser capsule medical device”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,279 (“Microcrystalline zeaxanthin with high bioavailability in oily carrier formulations”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,863 (“Ingestibles possessing intrinsic color change”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,567 (“Ingestible elements”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,013 (“Polystyrene sulfonate-containing gel preparation”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,313 (“Method for gene therapy using nucleic acid loaded polymeric microparticles”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,475,521 (“Biphasic controlled release delivery system for high solubility pharmaceuticals and method”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,533 (“Pulse dosage formulations of methylphenidate and method to prepare same”). Those skilled in the art will also recognize how to apply numerous existing techniques for taking provisional, alternate, overlapping, or completion actions relating to such applications as exemplified herein without undue experimentation, in light of these teachings. Substantially any of these structures or techniques may be used in some form for constructing modules, flow paths, dispensers, or other feature described herein without undue experimentation. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 21 , shown is an implantable or ingestible system  2100  suitable for exposure to digestive or other bodily fluid  2165  in which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  2100  may comprise two or more reservoirs  2192 ,  2193 ,  2194 ,  2195 ,  2196 ,  2197  operating in a cooperative fashion according to an a priori regimen and/or sensor input or other signals  2141 . Such signals may originate from a remote care provider or other external module  2140 , for example, optionally after being received locally via a wireless medium. External module  2140  may comprise a wireless router, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, and/or a handheld device, for example. Alternatively or additionally, external module  2140  may comprise an article configured to function while worn by a subject, such as a belt or prosthetic device. 
     One or more such reservoirs  2192 - 2197  may be configured to separate from the others for dispensation during passage per vias naturales in some embodiments. Alternatively or additionally, one or more others may be configured for selective dispensation via one or more ports  2101 ,  2102  to respective flow paths as described herein, for example. Such flow paths may pass into an esophagus and/or an intestine, for example, as variously described herein. 
     As shown, reservoir  2192  may comprise one or more instances of hormones  2117  or other bioactive ingredients and/or carrier materials  2118 . Reservoir  2193  may likewise comprise many doses  2132  of a bioactive powder, propellant, or other flowable material. Reservoir  2194  may comprise one or more instances of antimicrobial agents  2173  and/or other bioactive ingredients optionally comprising carrier materials  2178 . Reservoir  2197  may comprise a selectable concentration or other mode of dosage  2145 , optionally with one or more other instances of ingredients  2151  or other markers  2156 . System  2100  may further comprise one or more other compositions  2183 ,  2184 , one or more of which may comprise one or more instances of alkaline materials  2185  or other materials useful for adjusting pH. Optionally some or all such reservoirs may be housed within one or more capsules  2109 , optionally at a stable, higher-than-ambient pressure and near-neutral buoyancy. In other variants, however, creases or other hinging structures may be used for coupling respective ones of reservoirs  2192 - 2197  into one or more ring-like, H-shaped, tetrahedral, or other expanded forms useful for “loitering” for more than a day in a gastric chamber, for example, as described herein. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 23 , shown is a system in which one or more technologies may be implemented comprising one or more modules  2300  optionally operable for communication with one or more user interfaces  2310  operable for relaying user output  2316  and/or input  2318 . Module  2300  comprises one or more instances of (electrical, electromechanical, software-implemented, firmware-implemented, or other control) devices  2320 . Device  2320  may comprise one or more instances of memory  2330 ; processors  2340 ; ports  2345 ,  2346 ; valves  2351 ,  2352 ; antennas  2357 ; power or other supplies  2358 ; logic modules  2361 ,  2362 ,  2363  or other signaling modules  2360 ; gauges  2378  or other such active or passive detection components  2370 ; or piezoelectric transducers  2382 , shape memory elements  2383 , micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) elements  2384 , or other actuators  2380 . Such detection components  2370  may comprise one or more instances of sensors  2371  operable for measuring or otherwise detecting a higher-than-nominal concentration of alcohol or other controlled substances, sensors  2372  operable for accepting an indication of or otherwise responding to a proximity to an artificial device from within a portion of the tract, sensors  2373  for measuring or otherwise detecting a higher-than-nominal concentration of an artificial control marker, sensors  2374  operable for measuring or otherwise detecting a higher-than-nominal concentration of lipids, sensors  2375  operable for accepting an indication of or otherwise responding to a pH or other environmental attribute, sensors  2376  operable for measuring or otherwise detecting a higher-than-nominal concentration of carbohydrates or other nutrients, or sensors  2377  operable for accepting an indication of or otherwise responding to a departure of one or more artificial devices from within a specific portion of the tract. Many such devices may be implemented in software or otherwise in memory  2330 , such as one or more executable instruction sequences  2332  or supplemental information  2335  as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in various embodiments, any such devices  2320  may likewise (optionally) handle one or more instances of quantities  2391 ,  2392 ; one or more identifiers  2393  or other indications  2394 ; or other components of messages  2395  or other values  2396 ,  2397 ,  2398 ,  2399  as described herein. 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for acquiring or using measurements or other detectable phenomena relating to a tract for various functions as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,217,245 (“Noninvasive methods for detecting abnormalities in a subject such as disease or dysfunction”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,731 (“Examination method of buffer capacity of saliva and examination instrument of buffer capacity of saliva”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,269 (“Stress evaluation apparatus”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,062,306 (“Spectroscopy illuminator with improved delivery efficiency for high optical density and reduced thermal load”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,128 (“Monitoring gastrointestinal function to guide care of high risk patients”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,611 (“Monitor for interventional procedures”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,046 (“Method and device for assessing perfusion failure in a patient by measurement of blood flow”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,293 (“Method for determining the pH in the mucosa of the stomach or the gastrointestinal tract”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,625 (“Ambulatory reflux monitoring system”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,485 (“Combination esophageal catheter for the measurement of atrial pressure”). Many such variations may be implemented in special purpose instructions or code  2332  in memory  2330  or other such components  2370 , for example, optionally implemented in special purpose circuitry comprising one or more sensors  2371 - 2377  or other components  2389  configured for automatic decision making. Combinations of these may each be effectuated by comparative, arithmetic, conjunctive, or other operators relating each pairing of input  2318  or other detectable determinants described with reference to  FIG. 23 , for example. 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for acquiring or using measurements or other detectable phenomena relating to a tract for various functions as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,217,245 (“Noninvasive methods for detecting abnormalities in a subject such as disease or dysfunction”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,731 (“Examination method of buffer capacity of saliva and examination instrument of buffer capacity of saliva”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,269 (“Stress evaluation apparatus”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,062,306 (“Spectroscopy illuminator with improved delivery efficiency for high optical density and reduced thermal load”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,128 (“Monitoring gastrointestinal function to guide care of high risk patients”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,611 (“Monitor for interventional procedures”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,046 (“Method and device for assessing perfusion failure in a patient by measurement of blood flow”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,293 (“Method for determining the pH in the mucosa of the stomach or the gastrointestinal tract”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,625 (“Ambulatory reflux monitoring system”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,485 (“Combination esophageal catheter for the measurement of atrial pressure”). Those skilled in the art will also recognize how to apply numerous existing techniques for taking provisional, alternate, overlapping, or completion actions relating to such decisions as exemplified herein without undue experimentation, in light of these teachings. Such variations may be implemented in instruction sequence  2332  or other implementations of special-purpose logic implementing one or more functions described herein. 
     In light of these teachings, numerous existing techniques may be applied for directly or indirectly affecting a pH of a local portion of a tract as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,276,252 (“Method and form of a drug delivery device, such as encapsulating a toxic core within a non-toxic region in an oral dosage form”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,877 (“Bile-acid derived compounds for enhancing oral absorption and systemic bioavailability of drugs”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,101,567 (“Controlled release preparations having multi-layer structure”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,909 (“Chrono delivery formulations and method of use thereof”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,793 (“Once-a-day controlled release sulfonylurea formulation”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,797,268 (“Pharmaceutical composition useful in the treatment of peptic ulcers”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,327 (“Polymer blends that swell in an acidic environment and deswell in a basic environment”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,924 (“Oral liposomal delivery system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,764,696 (“Effervescent drug delivery system for oral administration”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,771 (“Emulsions as solid dosage forms for oral administration”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,600,950 (“Iontophoretic treatment system”). Those skilled in the art will also recognize how to apply numerous existing techniques for taking provisional, alternate, overlapping, or completion actions relating to such applications as exemplified herein without undue experimentation, in light of these teachings. In some variants, one or more reservoirs or dispensers described herein may comprise a pH-reducing or pH-increasing component in a liquid form, for example, optionally configured for release directly into gastric compartments  170 ,  1070  or other such environments described herein. Alternatively or additionally, such dispensation may be controlled or otherwise informed by one or more sensors  2375  or other components  2370  operable for detecting a pH, a pH change, or one or more other environmental circumstances as designated by a physician or other medical or veterinary professional. 
     In light of these teachings, numerous existing techniques may be applied for using artificial markers or other diagnostically useful indicator materials as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,398 (“Security markers for determining composition of a medium”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,932 (“Methods for the detection, analysis and isolation of nascent proteins”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,471 (“Method of diagnosing, monitoring, staging, imaging and treating breast cancer”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,159 (“Optical sensor containing particles for in situ measurement of analytes”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,202,045 (“Detection and treatment of cancers of the lung”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,756 (“Non-invasive measurement of pH”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,919 (“13C glucose breath test for the diagnosis of diabetic indications and monitoring glycemic control”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,912 (“Methods and compositions for categorizing patients”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,105,300 (“Sequencing by incorporation”)”); U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,937 (“Marker useful for detection and measurement of free radical damage and method”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,977,068 (“Method for detection of fibrin clots”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,884 (“Fluorescent cobalamins and uses thereof”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,045 (“Composition and method for maintaining blood glucose level”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,753,135 (“Biological markers for evaluating therapeutic treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,680,172 (“Treatments and markers for cancers of the central nervous system”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,982 (“Internal marker device for identification of biological substances”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,646 (“Screening test and procedure using skin patches”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,323 (“Compositions and methods for early detection of heart disease”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,625 (“Methods for diagnosing cancer or precancer based upon hnRNP protein expression”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,896 (“Non-invasive approach for assessing tumors in living animals”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,656 (“Antibodies reactive with biological markers of benign prostate hyperplasia”). Those skilled in the art will also recognize how to apply numerous existing techniques for taking provisional, alternate, overlapping, or completion actions relating to such applications as exemplified herein without undue experimentation, in light of these teachings. One or more ports  2345 ,  2346 , valves  2351 ,  2352 , pumps, or other actuators may likewise be used for selecting among two or more bioactive mixtures or other materials, one or more of which may include such marking ingredients. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 13 , in some variants, tethers described herein may comprise one or more instances of soluble portions  1303  accessible by fluid  1365  only when exposed by an activation of one or more piezoelectric transducers  2382 , shape-memory element  2383 , springs, or other actuators  2380 . One or more such actuators  2380  may open or otherwise control one or more valves  2351 ,  2352  selectively in response to components  2370  as described herein, for example. Alternatively or additionally, one or more instances of tethers  1308  may comprise middle portion  1304  at least some of which is semi-soluble or substantially insoluble in one or more digestive fluids  1365  in a typical stomach or other intended environments. 
     In an embodiment in which system  1300  comprises more than three modules  1310  each small enough to pass through a specific tract, a “fourth” one of modules  1310  may (optionally) engage at least one end (e.g. distal portion  1309 ) of tether  1308 . Alternatively or additionally, in many applications, modules  1310  may be few enough, inert enough, or otherwise implemented on a small enough scale so that their one or more dispensers  1350  may be operable for dispensing a total of at most 15 grams of medicinal material. A fraction of modules  1310  may lack dispensers, for example, especially if configured for one or more other specialty functions. System  1300  may implement a version of tethered group  1290  as described herein, for example, in which module  1292  is inflatable, in which module  1293  comprises one or more implementations of device(s)  2320  operable for external communication, in which module  1294  includes one or more actuators  2380  operable for severing or otherwise manipulating tether  1298 , in which module  1295  comprises one or more cameras or other components  2370  operable for data capture, and/or in which module  1296  performs one or more other resource-intensive specialty functions. Such systems  1300  may be assembled from inventories of diverse-looking modules  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  within a local care facility, for example, based upon information available just before deployment into a tract. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 25 , shown is an example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. As shown system module  2500  may include at least one unitary body  2510  having an external surface  2530  comprising at least one convex portion  2536 , at least one saddle region  2535 , at least two (at least partly convex) ridge regions  2531 ,  2532 , and at least one opening  2546 . A cutaway reveals chamber  2540  within module  2500  containing at least one spool  2548  operable to retract a (rotationally symmetric or asymmetric) portion of tether  2538  by rotating about hub  2547 . Metallic or other deformable windings  2542  are pre-loaded (under tension, e.g.) so that spool  2548  is urged counter-clockwise (as shown), which torque is initially resisted by one or more soluble or semi-soluble latches  2544 . When body  2510  is immersed enough so that suitable digestive or other fluid  2565  enters chamber  2540 , however, fluid  2565  dissolves the latch(es)  2544 , freeing spool  2548  to draw in 1% or more of (the length of) tether  2538 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 26 , shown is an example of a system that may serve as a context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices described herein. As shown system  2600  may include one or more instances of antennas  2622 , memory  2630 , logic  2660 , output  2661 , input  2662 , processors  2670 , actuators  2684 , or sensors  2690 . Memory  2630  may comprise one or more instances of instruction sequences  2632  or measurement data  2635 . Logic  2660  include one or more instances of sequential functions  2651 ,  2652  or other components of sequence detectors  2650 ; event detectors  2653 ,  2654 ; timers  2656  or other logic  2657 ,  2658 ,  2659  implemented in hardware or software, for example. Actuators  2684  may comprise one or more instances of MEMS devices  2681 , transducers  2682 , shape memory elements  2684 , or other microfluidic or other components suitable for use in situ. See, e.g.,  FIG. 7 . Sensors  2690  may comprise one or more instances of proximity sensors  2681  or other location-indicative sensors  2682 ; pH sensors  2683  or other concentration-indicative sensors  2684 ; microphones  2685 , thermometers  2686 , pressure sensors  2687 , or other environmental status sensors  2688 ; conductivity sensors  2689 ; or other sensors as described herein or in documents identified above. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 27 , shown is a tract  2701  in a vicinity of which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  2700  may comprise one or more utility modules  2720  supported by one or more local modules  2710 . Local module  2710  may, for example, comprise one or more prostheses  2715  supported at least partly by an upper portion of the subject&#39;s mouth, as shown, supporting at least an adaptable extender  2717  (over and/or beside tongue  2716 , as shown) which supports one or more tethers  2730  via coupling  2725 . The utility module(s)  2720  may, in various embodiments, comprise one or more bodies  2741 ,  2743  in esophagus  2750 , gastric compartment  2770 , or intestines  2780 ,  2790 . 
     Body  2741  may comprise a primary material supply operable for placement within gastric compartment  2770 , for example. Such bodies  2741  may occur, for example, in embodiments in which one or more tethers  2730  comprise conduits operable to guide material from the primary material supply out of the stomach. Alternatively or additionally, one or more such tethered or other bodies  2741 ,  2743  may comprise one or more sensors or other devices in substantially any of the variants described above. 
     In light of teachings herein, and referring again to  FIGS. 1 &amp; 5 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the above-described dispensers may (optionally) be configured for use in or with a body having one or more protruding surfaces  575  overlapping one or more binding agent secretion ports  501 ,  502  as described herein (or as in documents identified above). Alternatively or additionally, one or more such secretion ports may likewise provide one or more therapeutic ingredients as described herein or in documents identified above. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 28 , shown is a vicinity of a respiratory or digestive tract  2801  of a subject  2802  in which one or more technologies may be implemented. System  2800  may comprise one or more medical or veterinary utility modules  2820  comprising one or more dispensers  2840  or other features supported (in nasal passage  2847 , for example) via one or more adaptable extender modules comprising a (rigid or other) prostheses  2815  or other support within the head and/or neck position and one or more supple extenders  2817  therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, such extenders may likewise be supported by nasal stents, surgical staples in cranial or throat positions (such as the hard palate, nasal cartilage, or cricoid cartilage  2842 , for example), nasal stents, or other such local modules  2810 . Exemplary structures and modes of operation may be found, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/417,898 (“Controllable release nasal system”), having overlapping inventors herewith, incorporated by reference herein. See also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/716,645 (“Orthonostric device and method of forming the same”). In some variants, extender  2817  may pass beside tongue  2816  and optionally into a side of the throat  2846  of subject  2802  with minimal interaction with the soft palate. In some variants, for example, segment  2892  may include a dispenser directed toward or extending into larynx  2845 . See  FIG. 20 . Alternatively or additionally, one or more segments  2892  of one or more extenders  2817  may be coated along at least some of their length with an anesthetic-containing material. System  2800  may likewise comprise one or more instances of reservoirs  2880  or conduits  2890  as described below. 
     Such tethers or other such supple structures may extend into esophagus  2843  or other parts of subject  2802 , as described further below. Dispenser  2840  may comprise one or more auditory or other sensors as described herein. Dispenser  2840  may likewise comprise one or more dispensers, particularly those having a flow path from reservoir positions at oral and/or gastric modules  141 ,  144  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). In some variants, a front portion of extender  2817  has a flexural modulus of at least about 10 megapascals. Alternatively or additionally, segment  2892  or other distal portions may have a flexural modulus of at most about 20 megapascals. Such extenders may likewise include one or more active components (not shown) operable to bend one or more coupling to keep mucous membrane irritation at an acceptably low level. 
     In some variants, system  2800  may include a reservoir  2880  operable to contain one or more of an antibiotic, insulin, estrogen, or some other therapeutic material within one or more reservoirs  2880  in an oral cavity of a digestive or respiratory tract  2801 . Reservoir  2880  may be configured as a small tube, closed tube extending around the upper or lower gums as shown, for example, or may be positioned within the upper or lower teeth, such as above and/or below tongue  2816 . Each such reservoir may include as much as 0.1-1.0 milliliters of therapeutic material or more. System  2800  may further one or more artificial conduits  2890  operable to guide the therapeutic material in one or more flows at least into a throat of tract  2801 , and optionally from there into an esophagus  2843 , larynx  2845 , or nasal passage  2847  as shown. 
     In light of teachings herein, and referring again to  FIG. 1 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise a “first” or “second” module  125  operable to remain at least partly within a throat  149  of the digestive or respiratory tract  104  for more than a week. Any may likewise comprise such a “first” or “second” module  125 ,  135 , operable to remain at least partly within an esophagus  150 , gastric compartment  170 , or intestine  180  of the digestive or respiratory tract for more than an hour. Any may likewise comprise module  144  as a “second” module operable to remain in an esophagus  150  or intestine  180  of the digestive or respiratory tract  104  for up to a week or more. Any may likewise comprise a module  144  operable to remain at least partly within an esophagus  150  or gastric compartment  170  of the digestive or respiratory tract  104  for up to a week, a month, or more as needed for a prescribed regimen. 
     Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described systems may comprise a “first” and/or “second” module  125 ,  126  as described herein, operable to remain at least partly within a throat  149  of the digestive or respiratory tract  104  for more than a month. Any may likewise comprise such one or more such modules  125 ,  126  operable to engage one another by direct contact in situ and/or include one or more modules  146  comprising at least an annular structure (around a pylorus, for example). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the above-described systems may (optionally) include one or more actuators  321 - 323 ,  328  operable for releasing one or more therapeutic materials internally as described herein. In some variants, for example, a module  210  may include a reservoir  331  operable for releasing one or more therapeutic materials  350  into tract  301  via conduit  391 , an actuator  328  operable for opening the reservoir  331 , and control logic  388  configured for signaling the actuator  328  to open responsive to one or more reservoir-opening signals. 
     Any may likewise comprise magnetic-flux-generating elements  346  or other flux-guiding elements may (optionally) be configured to remove 2% to 20% or more of the magnetic flux passing from one module into another. Any may likewise comprise a ferromagnetic material, optionally incorporated into module  340 . Any may likewise comprise such a liquid and/or gaseous propellant  377 . Any may likewise have an external form  308  small enough to exit the digestive or respiratory tract  301  per vias naturales. Any of the above-described modules may (optionally) include two or more dispensers comprising respective conduits  391 ,  392  each operably coupled with one or more reservoirs  331 ,  332 ; and control logic  388 ,  389  or other circuitry operable for activating such dispensers controllably. Any of the above-described systems may comprise one or more instances of a “first” or “second” module  310  including at least a fluid-containing reservoir  333  at a higher-than-ambient pressure. Any may likewise comprise a second module  340  outside the digestive or respiratory tract  301 . Any may likewise comprise a “first” or “second” module  310  operable to remain at least partly within a gastric compartment or intestine of tract  301  for more than a month and/or may comprise a material flow conduit  391  extending from module  310  at least into a throat of tract  301 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may include therapeutically effective amounts of an analgesic or other anti-inflammatory agent  351 , an antibiotic or other antimicrobial agent  352 , a hormone or other ingredients  378  as described herein. Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may include module  395  or other such adaptable extender modules. Some variants of the above-described systems may likewise comprise module  340  operable in the digestive or respiratory tract  301  to support a “first” or other module  310  as described herein directly or indirectly for a week, a month, or more in tract  301 . Any may likewise include a fluid-containing reservoir  332 ,  333  at a higher-than-ambient pressure in situ. Any may likewise include more than one dose  337  of therapeutic material  350 . Any may likewise include one or more reservoirs  332  containing one or more artificial marking agents  364  or other material  360  usable as a device-detectable marker. Any may likewise comprise a material flow conduit segment  393  extending from module  310  out of a gastric compartment of tract  301 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described systems may comprise a “first” or “second” module  310 , operable to remain at least partly within an esophagus, larynx, gastric compartment, or intestine of the digestive or respiratory tract  301  for more than an hour. Any may likewise comprise control logic  385  configured as a wireless-control component having at least an engaging state and a disengaging state. Any may likewise comprise a second module including one or more bioadhesives or other ingredients  365  operable for coupling with a mucous membrane as described herein. Any may likewise include one or more ingredients  353  containing a polymer and/or binding agent. Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may include a material flow path (e.g. via conduit  391 ) at least about one centimeter long, operable to guide material  350  more than one centimeter in a flow from one or more material reservoirs  331 . Any such modules may likewise couple with or otherwise include a conduite, tether, or other material flow path (e.g. via conduit  392 ) of about 10 centimeters or longer, operable to guide one or more materials  350 ,  360 ,  370  selectively more than 10 centimeters in a flow from one or more reservoirs  331 ,  332 ,  333 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4 , any of the above-described modules may (optionally) include one or more actuators  464  operable for releasing one or more therapeutic materials internally as described herein. Any of the above-described flux-guiding elements  436 ,  447  may be contained within (or partly within) one or more of the above-described modules. In some variants, any of the above-described modules may (optionally) be implemented as an instance of module  440 : containing one or more flux-guiding elements  444 - 447  large enough so that the module  440  is magnetically manipulable, yet with module  440  small enough to pass through tract  104  per vias naturales. Any of the above-described modules may likewise include a medication  462  or other therapeutic material comprising at least a polymer-containing binding agent. Any may also include antenna  448  or other circuitry for transmitting measurement data  481 . Substantially any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise module  430  operable in the digestive or respiratory tract  401  to engage at least module  440  indirectly for more than a week or month. Any may likewise comprise a “second” module  420  as described herein, including at least one material flow path  468  at least about one millimeter long. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the above-described modules may (optionally) include a dispenser  582 ,  583 , optionally with circuitry for activating one or more such dispensers selectively. Any may likewise include one or more binding agents  511 ,  512  or other adhesives operable for coupling with a mucous membrane  513 . Any of the above-described systems may comprise a “first” or “second” module (e.g. device  580 ) operable to engage at least a tether  578  of another module by direct contact in situ. Any may likewise include comprise a “first” or “second” module (e.g. device  580 ) operable to remain at least partly within the throat  149  of the digestive or respiratory tract for more than an hour. In some variants, such systems may be configured to include an adhesive, staple, ligature, or other earlier-acting attachment feature as described herein operable for coupling device  580  to mucous membrane  513 ; and another, later-acting attachment feature operable for initially coupling device  580  to mucous membrane  513  at least one minute after the earlier-acting attachment feature initially couples device  580  to mucous membrane  513 . Alternatively or additionally, such systems may comprise a module or other device including at least binding agent  511  or some other biocompatible adhesive operable for coupling with a throat lining or other mucous membrane described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise an external module  605  operable for communicating with one or more other modules  647 ,  648 ,  649  in situ. Any of the above-described modules may be adapted to include one or more sensors  652  suitable for internal use as described herein. Such modules may likewise include an electrically conductive coil  671  configured for magnetic field manipulation or other communication as described herein, either as an independent element or as a part of the above-described modules. Any such systems may further comprise a second module  680  outside the digestive or respiratory tract, such as for sending or receiving information as described herein. In some variants, such systems may comprise a second module  648  having a tethered structure. 
     In some contexts, implementations of the above-described systems may comprise one or more modules  647  operable to support a “first” or other module  648  as described herein directly or indirectly for more than a day in a portion  604  of a digestive or respiratory tract. Any such systems may comprise an external module  605  accessible to a caregiver operable for communicating with at least a medical or veterinary utility module  650  in situ. Any such systems may comprise a wireless-control component  651 - 652  (externally and/or in situ) having an engaging state, a disengaging state, and one or more other states. In some contexts, one or more of the above-described modules may be adapted to support or otherwise facilitate another module, for example, by the inclusion of one or more external modules  605 , elements  640 , or other devices in a proximity outside tract portion  604 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 7 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise a “first” or “second” module  740  including one or more adhesive-containing dispensers  766  operable for coupling with mucous membrane  708  by secreting an adhesive-containing material as described herein. Such a module may include sequential engagement features, sensors, dispensers, or other features as described herein also. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 10 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise one or more modules  1010 ,  1050  operable to remain in a gastric compartment  1070  or intestine  1080  of tract  1001  for more than a week. Any of the above-described modules may likewise include one or more dispensers  1021 , module  1022 , optical or other sensors, or circuitry for obtaining other measurement data. In some variants, moreover, such modules may support or otherwise facilitate another module, for example, by the inclusion of one or more external modules  1040  or other devices outside tract  1001 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 11 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise a “first” or “second” module (such as flotation module  1150 , magnetic module  1160 , spanning module  1180 , or expandable module  1190 ) configured for implantation adjacent a lining of the digestive tract  1101 . Any such module may likewise (optionally) implement first module  1131 , small enough to pass through pylorus  1175  of a digestive tract  1101  per vias naturales. Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may comprise a belt, adhesive, or similarly supported structure for holding magnetic module  1160  adjacent the digestive or respiratory tract  1101  outside the subject. In effect, such an external configuration enables the subject to communicate with one or more modules  1131 ,  1135  in situ, such as by removing the structure. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 12 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise one or more modules  1220  operable to remain in a gastric compartment  1270  of tract  1201  for more than a week. Any such systems may likewise comprise one or more conduits (through or along tether  1276 , for example) operable to guide nutrients or other therapeutic materials from one or more modules  1210 ,  1220 ,  1230 ,  1240  at least out of gastric compartment  1270  to be dispensed at another module  1275  (after settling into the intestine, for example). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 13 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise a group of modules  1310  configured for implantation in fluid  1365  adjacent a lining of the digestive or respiratory tract. Such structures may be configured to serve as a mooring module or dispenser, for example, operable to remain in the digestive tract for a month or more. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 15 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise one or more capsules  1580  or other modules  1501 - 1504  operable to remain in a gastric compartment (and optionally to extend into an esophagus or intestine, in some variants) for more than a week. Any such systems may likewise comprise a “first” and another module  1501 ,  1502  operable to engage one another by direct contact in situ. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 20 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise one or more artificial paths  2031  or other conduits operable to guide a material flow to one or more dispensers  2021 ,  2026  in a digestive or respiratory tract of subject  2002 , at least one of which conduits exceeds 10 centimeters. Any such systems may, for example, comprise a module  2025  including at least a material flow path  2031  at least about 10 centimeters long. Such modules may include one or more sensors or a dispenser  2021 ,  2026  as variously described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 21 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise a capsule  2109  or other module operable to remain in an esophagus or gastric compartment of the digestive or respiratory tract for more than a week. Any such module may likewise include one or more therapeutically effective doses  2132  of one or more materials  2193  as described herein. In some variants, one or more such systems may comprise a material flow conduit segment (e.g. one or more ports  2101 ,  2102 ) extending from a “first” or “second” module (e.g. capsule  2109 ) at least into an intestine of the digestive or respiratory tract. Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described systems may implement system  2100  comprising a capsule  2109  or another module operable to remain in fluid  2165  of a gastric compartment or intestine for more than an hour. 
     In systems like those of  FIGS. 3-10 , any of the above-described modules may include a fluid-containing reservoir (e.g. capsule  2109 ) at a higher-than-ambient pressure. Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may include a material flow path (e.g. via port  2101 ) of about one millimeter or longer, operable to guide one or more therapeutic materials (e.g. antimicrobial agent  2173  and/or other composition  2183 ) more than one millimeter in a flow of one or more materials  2194 ,  2195  from local reservoirs. 
     Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may include a material flow path (e.g. via port  2102 ) of about one centimeter or longer, operable to guide hormone  2117  or other therapeutic material more than one centimeter in a flow from of materials  2192 ,  2193  from respective reservoirs. Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may include a hormone  2117 , an antiviral or other antimicrobial agent  2173 , an artificial marker  2156 , or other materials as described herein or known to those skilled in the art. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 22 , any of the above-described modules may (optionally) include a first-therapeutic-material supply  2207  having one or more ports operable to release a therapeutic material in a first flow and a second-therapeutic-material supply  2208  having one or more ports operable to release another therapeutic material in a second, optionally simultaneous flow. This can occur, for example, in an implementation of system  2800  comprising two or more reservoir-containing modules such as is described above. 
     Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may be implemented in system  2200  so as to include logic  2230 , antenna  2280 , or other circuitry for transmitting measurement data  2218 . Any such modules may likewise include a releasable dispenser  2201  or other dispensers  2202 , optionally with logic  2230  or other circuitry for activating one or more such dispensers selectively. Any such modules may likewise include a releasable dispenser  2201 . In some variants, moreover, such modules may include one or more antennas  2280 , one or more of which may be operable for communication in a radio frequency range. Any such modules may likewise comprise one or more releasable dispensers  2201  or other releasable portions. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 23 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise a material flow conduit segment (e.g. port  2346 ) extending from a “first” or “second” module  2300  at least into an esophagus of the digestive or respiratory tract. Any of the above-described modules may likewise include one or more sensors  2373 - 2376  or other such circuitry for obtaining concentration-indicative measurement data. 
     Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described systems may comprise one or more user interfaces  2310  or other remote modules operable for receiving values  2397 ,  2398  or other status-indicative data from sensor-containing or dispenser-containing modules  2300  in situ. Any such modules may further include one or more sensors  2371 - 2378  suitable for internal medical or veterinary use as described herein. In some embodiments, moreover, such modules may include one or more antennas  2357 , one or more of which may be operable for communication wirelessly through living tissue. Alternatively or additionally, such modules may include one or more shape memory elements  2383  or other actuators  2380  operable for releasing one or more therapeutic materials internally as described herein as well as cameras or other components  2370  effective for obtaining auditory, colorimetric, or other measurement data. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 24 , those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise a “first” or “second” module  2400 , operable to remain at least partly within a gastric compartment or intestine of the digestive or respiratory tract for more than an hour. Such a module  2400  may (optionally) implement any of the above-described modules, and may include an electrically conductive coil  2466  configured for communication as described herein. In some variants, one or more of the above-described modules may include one or more releasable component modules  2420 ,  2425  or other releasable portions, one or more of which may include a sensor  2421 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described systems may comprise a user interface  2410  or other external module accessible to a physician or other caregiver, such module being operable for communicating with at least one other module  2400  in situ. Such modules may include a releasable dispenser  2422  in some contexts. Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may enable or otherwise interact with other modules, for example, by the inclusion of one or more user interfaces  2410  or other devices outside a subject. In some variants, modules as described above may include therapeutically effective amounts of one or more steroids or other anti-inflammatory agents  2491 , insulin and/or other antihyperglycemic medications  2492 , or other useful materials as described herein. Such modules may further include one or more update modules  2471  or other update implementation circuitry responsive, for example, to medicinal regimen revisions or other remote configuration information received via user interface  2410 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 26 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise logic  2660  or other circuitry operable for activating one or more dispensers or other actuators  2684  selectively. Any such modules may likewise include extender  2717  or similarly adaptable extender modules. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 27 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise one or more bodies  2741 ,  2743  or some other “second” module operable to remain in a gastric compartment  2770  or intestine  2780  of the digestive tract  2701  for more than a week. In some cases, variants of the above-described modules or systems may comprise one or more conduits (through or along tether  2730 , for example) operable to guide material from a utility module out of a gastric compartment. This may cause therapeutic materials as described herein to flow from one or more reservoirs in bodies  2743  upward at least into esophagus  2750 , for example. In some cases, one or more of the above-described modules may likewise include a first portion containing therapeutic material in one or more bodies  2741 ,  2743  and a second portion (such as prosthesis  2715 ) supporting the first portion in an oral cavity indirectly (such as via tether  2730 ) for more than an hour. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 28 , any of the above-described systems may (optionally) comprise a utility module  2820  comprising segment  2892 , operable to remain at least partly within an esophagus  2843  of the digestive or respiratory tract  2801  for more than an hour. Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described modules may include a first portion containing therapeutic material in one or more reservoirs  2880  and a second portion (one or more clamps or adhesives, for example) operable supporting the first portion in an oral cavity for more than an hour. 
     In some variants, moreover, such systems may (optionally) comprise dispenser  2840  or other module operable to remain partly within throat  2846  and partly within nasal passage  2847  of the digestive or respiratory tract  2801  for up to a month or more. Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described systems may comprise one or more artificial conduits  2890  operable to guide a fluid flow to dispenser  2840  or segment  2892  in tract  2801 , one or more of which conduits exceeds one centimeter. 
     Alternatively or additionally, any of the above-described systems may comprise a dispenser  2840  or other module configured to receive at least some of a flow from one or more artificial conduits  2890 . Such systems may likewise comprise one or more conduits (through or along conduit  2890 , including segment  2892 , for example) operable to guide one or more therapeutic materials from reservoir  2880  through gastric compartment (downward into intestine  180  via gastric compartment  170 , for example). Any such systems may further include one or more self-supporting dental prostheses  2815  and/or other supportive modules. 
     Some or all of the embodiments described herein may generally comprise technologies for handling one or more bioactive agents and/or carriers in releasable module form, via a liquid-bearing conduit, in a mist or other spray form, in a pumped or other pressurized form, or otherwise according to technologies described herein. In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into image processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into an image processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical image processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing lens position and/or velocity; control motors for moving/distorting lenses to give desired focuses. A typical image processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in digital still systems and/or digital motion systems. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into data processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A typical data processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to implement devices and/or processes and/or systems in the fashion(s) set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering and/or business practices to integrate such implemented devices and/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/or processes and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated into other devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that examples of such other devices and/or processes and/or systems might include—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devices and/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., an airplane, rocket, hovercraft, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., a car, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) a building (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) a communications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, a Voice over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an Internet Service Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Quest, Southwestern Bell, etc), or (g) a wired/wireless services entity such as Sprint, Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc. 
     One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are within the skill of those in the art. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating that limitation is desired. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. 
     While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. With respect to context, even terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.