Sampling capsule

Abstract

The present invention provides a sampling capsule, which includes a housing, a partition member that is circumferentially and sealingly connected to the inner wall of the housing and divides the inner cavity of the housing into a sampling cavity and a device cavity, and an extraction assembly provided on the housing corresponding to the sampling cavity. The partition member has a through hole communicating the sampling cavity and the device cavity, and a waterproof and breathable membrane covering the through hole. In the sampling capsule of the present invention, by providing a waterproof and breathable membrane on the through hole communicating the sampling cavity and the device cavity, the gases in the sampling cavity and the device cavity are connected. After using a syringe to evacuate the sampling cavity through the extraction assembly, the sampling cavity and the device cavity simultaneously form a vacuum state. Therefore, before sampling, the sampling capsule can maintain a vacuum state for a long time. Thus, during sampling, there is a sufficient pressure difference inside and outside the sampling capsule, and an expected amount of digestive juice can be obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical devices, and particularly to a sampling capsule. Background Art

[0002] A sampling capsule is an intelligent capsule for sampling digestive juice in the digestive tract. Generally, the sampling capsule includes a sampling cavity, a sampling port and a sampling outlet communicating with the sampling cavity; before sampling, the sampling cavity is evacuated, and after the sampling capsule reaches a specific digestive tract site, the sampling port is opened so that digestive juice enters the sampling cavity under the action of the internal and external pressure difference; after the sampling capsule is removed from the body, the digestive juice is taken out from the sampling outlet for pathological analysis.

[0003] The existing sampling capsule can maintain a vacuum state in the sampling cavity for a short time. When the sampling capsule reaches the corresponding digestive tract site, the pressure difference between the sampling cavity and the outside decreases, and not enough digestive juice can be collected for pathological analysis.

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide an improved sampling capsule to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sampling capsule to solve the above problems.

[0006] To achieve the above object of the invention, the present invention provides a sampling capsule, which includes a housing, a partition member circumferentially and sealingly connected to the inner wall of the housing and separating the inner cavity of the housing into a sampling cavity and a device cavity, and an extraction assembly disposed on the housing corresponding to the sampling cavity. The partition member has a through hole communicating the sampling cavity and the device cavity, and a waterproof and breathable membrane covering the through hole.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the partition member has a first accommodation cavity recessed from the side corresponding to the sampling cavity side towards the device cavity, the through hole is disposed at a position on the partition member corresponding to the first accommodation cavity, and the waterproof and breathable membrane is located in the first accommodation cavity.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the sampling capsule further includes a controller located in the device cavity and a pressure chip disposed in the device cavity and electrically connected to the controller. The pressure chip is used to obtain the pressure in the device cavity.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the sampling capsule further includes a sampling assembly. The sampling assembly includes a sampling port opened on the housing corresponding to the device cavity, a sampling tube communicating the sampling port and the sampling cavity, and a sampling switch for opening or closing the sampling tube; the sampling tube is connected to the partition member near the sampling port.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the sampling capsule further includes a controller located in the device cavity. The sampling switch includes a clamping ring for clamping at least a part of the sampling tube, and a heating element disposed near the clamping ring and for fusing the clamping ring. The heating element is electrically connected to the controller.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the partition member has a second accommodation cavity recessed from the side corresponding to the device cavity side toward the sampling cavity. Both the clamping ring and the heating element are received in the second accommodation cavity.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the extraction assembly includes a soft rubber plug having a stepped boss, and an extraction port provided on the housing and adapted to the shape of the soft rubber plug.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the extraction assembly includes an extraction port located on the housing and a soft rubber plug cooperating with the extraction port. The soft rubber plug has an arc-shaped thin wall area for piercing.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the soft rubber plug has a distinctive color.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, a camera for photographing is provided in the device cavity, and the area on the housing corresponding to the camera is made of a transparent material.

[0016] In the sampling capsule of the present invention, the housing is formed into two parts, a sampling cavity and a device cavity, by a partition member. By providing a waterproof and breathable membrane on the through hole connecting the sampling cavity and the device cavity, the gases in the sampling cavity and the device cavity are communicated. After the sampling cavity is evacuated by using a syringe through the extraction assembly, the sampling cavity and the device cavity are simultaneously in a vacuum state. Therefore, before sampling, the sampling capsule can maintain a vacuum state for a long time. Thus, during sampling, there is a sufficient pressure difference inside and outside the sampling capsule, and an expected amount of digestive juice can be obtained; at the same time, the waterproof and breathable membrane will prevent the digestive juice in the sampling cavity from flowing into the device cavity and avoid contaminating the device cavity area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sampling capsule when the sampling tube is in a conducting state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial enlarged view of A in

[0019] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along the B-B direction in

[0020] Figure 4Schematic cross-sectional view of the sampling capsule when the sampling tube is in the closed state in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a cross-sectional view taken along the C-C direction in;

[0022] Figure 6 Schematic structural view of the housing corresponding to the sampling chamber in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0023] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, method, or functional transformation made by those of ordinary skill in the art based on these embodiments is included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0024] It should be understood that the terms indicating relative spatial positions used herein, such as "upper", "lower", "outer", "inner", etc., are for the purpose of facilitating description of the relationship between one unit or feature and another unit or feature as shown in the drawings. The terms of relative spatial positions may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation shown in the figures.

[0025] Please refer to Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the present invention provides a sampling capsule 100, including a housing 1 and a partition 2 circumferentially and sealingly connected to the inner wall of the housing 1. The partition 2 divides the inner cavity of the housing 1 into a sampling chamber 3 and a device chamber 4. The sampling capsule 100 further includes an extraction assembly 5 provided on the housing 1 corresponding to the sampling chamber 3. The partition 2 has a through hole 6 communicating the sampling chamber 3 and the device chamber 4 and a waterproof breathable membrane 7 covering the through hole 6. In the sampling capsule 100 of the present invention, by providing a waterproof breathable membrane 7 on the through hole 6 communicating the sampling chamber 3 and the device chamber 4, the gases in the sampling chamber 3 and the device chamber 4 are communicated. After the sampling chamber 3 is evacuated by using a syringe through the extraction assembly 5, the sampling chamber 3 and the device chamber 4 are simultaneously in a vacuum state. Therefore, before sampling, the sampling capsule 100 can maintain a vacuum state for a long time. Thus, during sampling, there is a sufficient pressure difference inside and outside the sampling capsule 100, and an expected amount of digestive juice can be obtained; at the same time, the waterproof breathable membrane 7 will prevent the digestive juice in the sampling chamber 3 from flowing into the device chamber 4, avoiding contamination of the device chamber 4 area.

[0026] The shell 1 is made of a material that is biocompatible and will not be corroded by digestive fluid. In a specific embodiment, the shell 1 can be a split setting, specifically including a first shell 101 and a second shell 102. The partition 2 is circumferentially sealed and connected to the inner wall of the second shell 102. The end face of the partition 2 is flush with the end face of the second shell 102. The first shell 101 and the second shell 102 are tightly buckled together, so that the first shell 101 and the partition 2 form a device cavity 4, and the second shell 102 and the partition 2 form a sampling cavity 3. The shell 1 with a split setting is more convenient for the production and installation of the sampling capsule 100. Of course, this is not limited to this. The distribution of the chambers in the shell 1 and the specific structure can be adjusted as needed.

[0027] The number of through holes 6 provided on the separator 2 may be one, but is not limited thereto. The number of through holes 6 may be multiple, and the multiple through holes 6 are evenly distributed on the separator 2 , and all the through holes 6 are shielded by the waterproof breathable membrane 7 .

[0028] Specifically, the waterproof breathable membrane 7 is a selectively permeable film, mainly composed of a microfiltration membrane, with a pore size between 0.1-10 μm. The waterproof breathable membrane 7 can allow some gases smaller than the pore size of the waterproof breathable membrane 7 to pass through under its own characteristics, but cannot allow other substances such as digestive fluid to pass through that are larger than the micropore size of the waterproof breathable membrane 7, thereby ensuring that the digestive fluid in the sampling cavity 3 will not flow into the device cavity 4, and at the same time, the gases in the sampling cavity 3 and the device cavity 4 are in communication and have the same pressure.

[0029] In a specific embodiment, the material of the waterproof and breathable membrane 7 is an e-PTFE membrane, and one side of the e-PTFE membrane has an adhesive backing. The e-PTFE membrane is adhered to the position corresponding to the through hole 6 on the separator 2 through the adhesive backing to cover all the through holes 6, which is simple and convenient to install.

[0030] In this embodiment, the partition 2 has a first accommodating cavity 201 that is recessed from a side corresponding to the sampling cavity toward the device cavity 4, the through hole 6 is provided at a position on the partition 2 that corresponds to the first accommodating cavity 201, and the waterproof breathable membrane 7 is located in the first accommodating cavity 201. Since the partition 2 has the recessed first accommodating cavity 201, the volume of the sampling cavity 3 is increased, so that the sampling cavity 3 can accommodate more digestive fluid.

[0031] Further, the sampling capsule 100 further includes a sampling assembly 8. In a specific embodiment, the sampling assembly 8 includes a sampling port 801 opened on the housing 1 corresponding to the device chamber 4, a sampling tube 802 connecting the sampling port 801 and the sampling chamber 3, and a sampling switch 803 for opening or closing the sampling tube 802; the sampling tube 802 is connected to the partition member 2 at a position close to the sampling port 801. By connecting the sampling tube 802 to the partition member 2 at a position close to the sampling port 801, the center of gravity of the sampling capsule 100 is shifted to the side close to the sampling port 801. When the sampling capsule 100 samples, the sampling port 801 is located below the digestion liquid level, thereby increasing the probability that the sampling capsule 100 collects the digestive juice. Of course, it can be understood that when the sampling capsule 100 is provided with a plurality of sampling ports 801, the plurality of sampling ports 801 are all communicated with the sampling tube 802. Optionally, the plurality of sampling ports 801 are evenly distributed on a set area on the outer periphery of the housing 1. For example, the set area can be a semi-circular or quarter-circular area of the housing 1. The sampling tube 802 is connected to the partition member 2 at a position close to the set area of the sampling port 801. The center of gravity of the sampling capsule 100 is still shifted to the side close to the sampling port 801. When the sampling capsule 100 samples, some sampling ports 801 are located below the digestion liquid level, increasing the probability that the sampling capsule 100 collects the digestive juice, and at the same time, improving the sampling efficiency of the sampling capsule 100. Of course, the set area of the plurality of sampling ports 801 on the housing 1 is not limited to this.

[0032] In this embodiment, the sampling capsule 100 further includes a controller located in the device chamber 4. The sampling switch 803 includes a clamping ring 8031 for clamping at least a part of the sampling tube 802, and a heating element 8032 disposed close to the clamping ring 8031 and for melting the clamping ring 8031. The heating element 8032 is electrically connected to the controller. Please refer to Figures 4 to 5 As shown, before sampling, the sampling channel is closed by clamping the clamping ring 8031 to clamp at least a part of the sampling tube 802, so that the sampling capsule 100 is in a closed state; when the sampling capsule 100 is located in the digestive juice collection area, the heating element is controlled by the controller to generate heat, melting the clamping ring 8031 to open the sampling channel, and using the pressure difference inside and outside the sampling capsule 100 to make the digestive juice flow into the sampling tube 802 through the sampling port 801 and finally stored in the sampling chamber 3.

[0033] In a specific embodiment, the sampling tube 802 is a flexible tube, and the clamping ring 8031 is an alloy ring with a melting point between 42°C and 60°C. On the one hand, the alloy ring has sufficient hardness to clamp the flexible tube, and the elastic restoring force of the flexible tube is not sufficient to deform the alloy ring, keeping the sampling tube 802 in a closed state all the time. On the other hand, the melting point of the alloy ring is between 42°C and 60°C, preventing the temperature in the human body from affecting the alloy ring. Of course, this is not the only limitation. The clamping ring 8031 only needs to be set to ensure clamping of the sampling tube 802 and have a melting point between 42°C and 60°C.

[0034] In a specific embodiment, the heating element 8032 is a heating tube sleeved on the outer periphery of the clamping ring 8031. When it is necessary to open the sampling channel, the heating tube generates a large amount of heat by itself and evenly transfers the heat to the clamping ring 8031, causing the clamping ring 8031 to melt quickly, ensuring the effective opening of the sampling tube 802. Of course, this is not the only limitation. The heating element 8032 can also be a heating resistor, and the heating resistor is attached to the outer periphery of the clamping ring 8031.

[0035] In this embodiment, the partition member 2 has a second accommodation cavity 202 recessed from the side corresponding to the device cavity 4 towards the sampling cavity 3, and both the clamping ring 8031 and the heating element 8032 are accommodated in the second accommodation cavity 202.

[0036] In this embodiment, a controller and a power source are provided in the device cavity 4, and the power source is connected to the heating element 8032. It can be understood that the controller is communicatively connected to an external processing terminal, and a sampling signal is transmitted to the controller through the external processing terminal. In a specific embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 As shown, the controller and the power source are integrated into a control component 9, and the control component 9 is connected to the heating element 8032. The control component 9 can save more device space and reduce the volume of the sampling capsule 100. Of course, this is not the only limitation. The controller and the power source in the device cavity 4 can be separately arranged.

[0037] Furthermore, the sampling capsule 100 further includes a pressure chip 10 disposed in the device chamber 4 and electrically connected to the controller. The pressure chip 10 is used to obtain the pressure inside the device chamber 4. Since the sampling chamber 3 is in gas communication with the device chamber 4, the pressure inside the sampling chamber 3 can be obtained by acquiring the pressure inside the device chamber 4 through the pressure chip 10. Compared with the existing pressure chip 10 disposed in the sampling chamber 3, in the present invention, through the arrangement of the through hole 6 and the waterproof and breathable membrane 7 on the partition member 2, the gases in the sampling chamber 3 and the device chamber 4 are in communication and have the same pressure. By disposing the pressure chip 10 in the device chamber 4, the pressure inside the sampling chamber 3 can be monitored by reading the pressure inside the device chamber 4. Such a structure not only saves the volume of the sampling chamber 3, but also ensures that there is no contact between the digestive fluid in the sampling chamber 3 and the pressure chip 10, preventing contamination of the digestive fluid in the sampling chamber 3 and avoiding the risk of human contact with harmful substances.

[0038] The function of the pressure chip 10 in the sampling capsule 100 is as follows: Before sampling, the pressure chip 10 in the sampling capsule 100 determines whether the sampling chamber 3 meets the required vacuum condition by reading the pressure value inside the sampling chamber 3, so as to ensure that there is sufficient pressure difference during sampling of the sampling capsule 100 to obtain enough digestive fluid; after sampling, the pressure chip 10 continues to read the pressure value inside the sampling chamber 3 to determine whether digestive fluid has been collected and whether enough digestive fluid has been collected.

[0039] The extraction assembly 5 includes an extraction port 501 located on the housing 1 and a soft rubber plug 502 for sealing the extraction port 501. Before sampling the sampling capsule 100, a syringe can be inserted into the soft rubber plug 502 to evacuate the sampling chamber 3. After the syringe is withdrawn, due to the elastic deformation of the soft rubber plug 502 blocking the needle hole, the sampling chamber 3 is in a sealed state.

[0040] In a specific embodiment, the soft rubber plug 502 has a stepped boss, and the extraction port 501 is adapted to the shape of the soft rubber plug 502, so that the stepped boss of the soft rubber plug 502 abuts against the mating portion of the extraction port 501, restricting the further movement of the soft rubber plug 502 into the sampling chamber 3, thereby preventing the soft rubber plug 502 from being pierced into the sampling chamber 3 due to friction when the syringe is inserted.

[0041] Furthermore, please refer to Figure 6 As shown, the soft rubber plug 502 has a circular arc thin wall area 5021 for piercing. When vacuum extraction and taking digestive fluid are required, doctors can quickly find the position on the soft rubber plug 502 where the syringe can be inserted through the structure of the circular arc thin wall area 5021.

[0042] Further, the soft rubber stopper 502 has a distinctive color. When the subject needs to swallow multiple sampling capsules 100 at one time, for example, in the case of collecting digestive juices from different positions, sampling capsules 100 with soft rubber stoppers 502 of different colors can be used to facilitate the distinction of digestive juices collected from different positions.

[0043] Further, a camera 11 for taking pictures is also arranged in the device cavity 4, and the area on the housing 1 corresponding to the camera 11 is made of a transparent material. The specific sampling process is as follows: When the sampling capsule 100 enters the digestive tract, the doctor can see the situation in the digestive tract through the image transmitted by the camera 11 in the device cavity 4 to an external processing terminal. The doctor judges whether the sampling capsule 100 has reached the area where digestive juice can be collected through the image. When the sampling capsule 100 reaches the appropriate sampling position, the controller receives the sampling instruction sent by the external processing terminal, controls the heating element to start heating and melt the clamping ring 8031, so as to open the sampling channel and collect digestive juice.

[0044] Further, an anti-pollution element made of superabsorbent resin can also be arranged at the lower part of the sampling tube 802. When the anti-pollution element absorbs digestive juice, it gradually expands. After the collection is completed, the anti-pollution element seals the orifice of the sampling tube 802 to ensure that the collected digestive juice is not contaminated again. Of course, this is not the only limit, and mechanical anti-pollution and sealing structures can also be used.

[0045] In the sampling capsule 100 of the present invention, the housing 1 is formed into two parts, namely a sampling cavity 3 and a device cavity 4, by a partition 2. By arranging a waterproof and breathable membrane 7 on the through hole 6 connecting the sampling cavity 3 and the device cavity 4, the gases in the sampling cavity 3 and the device cavity 4 are communicated. After using a syringe to evacuate the sampling cavity 3 through the extraction assembly 5, the sampling cavity 3 and the device cavity 4 are simultaneously in a vacuum state. Therefore, before sampling, the sampling capsule 100 can maintain a vacuum state for a long time. Thus, during sampling, there is a sufficient pressure difference inside and outside the sampling capsule 100, and an expected amount of digestive juice can be obtained; at the same time, the waterproof and breathable membrane 7 will prevent the digestive juice in the sampling cavity 3 from flowing into the device cavity 4, avoiding the contamination of the device cavity 4 area by digestive juice.

[0046] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to embodiments, not every embodiment only contains an independent technical solution. This narrative way of the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0047] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of the feasible implementation manners of the present invention, and they are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent implementation manners or modifications made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sampling capsule, comprising a housing, a partition member that is circumferentially and sealingly connected to the inner wall of the housing and divides the inner cavity of the housing into a sampling chamber and a device chamber, and an extraction assembly disposed on the housing corresponding to the sampling chamber. Characterized in that, The partition member has a through hole communicating the sampling chamber and the device chamber, and a waterproof and breathable membrane covering the through hole.

2. The sampling capsule according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The partition member has a first accommodation cavity recessed from the side corresponding to the sampling chamber side towards the device chamber, the through hole is disposed at a position corresponding to the first accommodation cavity on the partition member, and the waterproof and breathable membrane is located in the first accommodation cavity.

3. The sampling capsule according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The sampling capsule further includes a controller located in the device chamber, and a pressure chip disposed in the device chamber and electrically connected to the controller, and the pressure chip is used to obtain the pressure in the device chamber.

4. The sampling capsule according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The sampling capsule further includes a sampling assembly, the sampling assembly includes a sampling port opened on the housing corresponding to the device chamber, a sampling tube communicating the sampling port and the sampling chamber, and a sampling switch for opening or closing the sampling tube; the sampling tube is connected to the partition member at a position close to the sampling port.

5. The sampling capsule according to claim 4, Characterized in that, The sampling capsule further includes a controller located in the device chamber, the sampling switch includes a clamping ring for clamping at least a part of the sampling tube, and a heating element disposed close to the clamping ring and used for fusing the clamping ring, and the heating element is electrically connected to the controller.

6. The sampling capsule according to claim 5, Characterized in that, The partition member has a second accommodation cavity recessed from the side corresponding to the device chamber side towards the sampling chamber, and both the clamping ring and the heating element are received in the second accommodation cavity.

7. The sampling capsule according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The extraction assembly includes a soft rubber plug having a stepped boss, and an extraction port disposed on the housing and adapted to the shape of the soft rubber plug.

8. The sampling capsule according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The extraction assembly includes an extraction port located on the housing, and a soft rubber plug cooperating with the extraction port, and the soft rubber plug has an arc-shaped thin wall area for piercing.

9. The sampling capsule according to claim 7 or 8, Characterized in that, The soft rubber plug has a marked color.

10. The sampling capsule according to claim 1, Characterized in that, A camera for photographing is disposed in the device chamber, and the area of the housing corresponding to the camera is made of a transparent material.

Images