Capsule Gastrointestinal Sampling Device with pH-Responsive Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting gastrointestinal samples fail to effectively target specific regions of the GI tract and prevent contamination, leading to inaccurate analysis of microbiota and metabolites due to the complexity of microbial ecology and variability among individuals.
Innovation Solution
A capsule-shaped device with a targeting mechanism and sealing mechanism that uses degradable materials to dissolve, erode, or rupture in the GI tract, allowing for precise sampling and sealing to prevent contamination, featuring a filtering element to control particle size and a sealing element to maintain sample integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a capsule-shaped device is used for sample collection, then the device can be easily swallowed and navigated through the GI tract, but the device cannot effectively target specific regions and prevent contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule device is segmented into multiple functional components: a targeting mechanism with degradable materials that dissolve at specific pH levels to enable region-specific sampling, a sealing mechanism with controllable openings to prevent contamination, and a sample collection chamber. This segmentation allows the device to maintain ease of swallowing while achieving precise targeting and contamination prevention through coordinated operation of its parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The targeting mechanism uses degradable materials that are pre-configured to dissolve at specific pH levels encountered in different GI tract regions. This preliminary action of using pH-responsive materials allows the device to automatically target specific regions without requiring active control, maintaining ease of operation while achieving sampling precision.
2Measurement precision
If degradable materials are used for targeting, then the device can dissolve, erode, or rupture to reach specific locations, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses degradable materials whose structural properties change in response to pH parameter variations in different GI tract regions. This parameter-based triggering mechanism allows precise targeting without complex mechanical control systems, as the materials automatically transition from intact to degraded states based on environmental pH conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The degradable materials perform the targeting function autonomously by dissolving, eroding, or rupturing in response to pH changes, without requiring external control mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while maintaining targeting accuracy, as the materials inherently respond to the physiological environment.
3Reliability
If a sealing mechanism is added to prevent contamination, then sample integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism employs dynamic openings that can open and close in response to environmental stimuli such as pH changes or mechanical triggers. This dynamic behavior allows the seal to remain closed during transit to prevent contamination, then open automatically at the target location for sampling, and close again afterward. The dynamic nature enables reliable sample integrity without requiring a completely complex sealing system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise collection of gastrointestinal samples from specific regions with minimal contamination, ensuring accurate analysis of microbiota and metabolites, thereby correlating with health states and guiding treatment effects.
Implementation Method 1
one or more covering elements that dissolve, erode, degrade, rupture, or dislocate in the gastrointestinal tract to target the location of sampling
Implementation Method 2
one or more covering elements that dissolve, erode, degrade, rupture, or dislocate in the gastrointestinal tract to target the location of sampling
Implementation Method 3
one or more covering elements that dissolve, erode, degrade, rupture, or dislocate in the gastrointestinal tract to target the location of sampling
Implementation Method 4
a filtering element to control the size of particles sampled by the device
Implementation Method 5
a sealing element to preserve the integrity and prevent contamination of the collected sample
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of devices and methods for collecting gastrointestinal samples using a capsule-shaped device that is swallowed are provided.