Patent ID: 8545402

Claim:
An ingestible event marker comprising: a circuitry element comprising: a control circuit comprising an upper surface and a lower surface; a first electrochemical material defining a first outer perimeter edge, the first electrochemical material electrically coupled to the upper surface of the control circuit; and a second electrochemical material defining a second outer perimeter edge, the second electrochemical material electrically coupled to the lower surface of the control circuit, wherein the first and second electrochemical materials are electrically isolated from each other; a membrane positioned between the first and second electrochemical materials comprising a signal amplification element comprising an insulating material positioned between the first and second electrochemical materials, the insulating material dimensioned to increase a length of the current path through conducting liquid in a body between the first and second electrochemical materials forming channels for the conducting fluid thereby boosting the conductance path therebetween, wherein the insulating material comprises a third outer edge extending beyond the first and second outer perimeter edges of the respective first and second electrochemical materials; wherein the first and second active electrode materials are configured to provide a voltage potential difference to the control circuit as a result of the first and second materials being in contact with the conducting liquid within the body; and wherein upon application of the voltage potential to the control circuit, the circuitry element generates a conductively transmitted signal comprising the current path that employs the body as a conduction medium such that the signal is conducted between the circuitry element and a receiver through the body tissues.