Dissolvable Capsule with Expandable Sensor Array for GI Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices designed for obesity treatment that expand within the stomach cannot gather data from the gastrointestinal system or other organs, limiting their effectiveness in monitoring and treating obesity-related conditions.
Innovation Solution
Development of swallowable capsules with an outer shell that dissolves in the stomach, revealing an expandable material and embedded sensors such as impedance elements, pressure sensors, and cameras, which can obtain and transmit data from the gastrointestinal tract, allowing for real-time monitoring and potential obesity treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If expandable capsules are used for obesity treatment, then weight management capability is improved, but data collection capability from the gastrointestinal system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single capsule device: the expandable structure provides weight management through gastric distension, while integrated sensors (impedance sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, cameras) simultaneously collect gastrointestinal data. This merging resolves the contradiction by making the device both therapeutic and diagnostic.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is designed as a multi-functional device that serves both obesity treatment and gastrointestinal monitoring purposes. The expandable material provides satiety for weight management, while the embedded sensor array enables comprehensive data collection from the gastrointestinal tract, making the device universally applicable to both functions.
2Loss of information
If sensors are integrated into the capsule, then data collection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule employs a nested structure where the outer shell contains the expandable material, which in turn contains the sensor array and electronics. The sensors are integrated within the expandable material matrix, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes overall device complexity while maximizing functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule uses flexible, biocompatible materials for the outer shell and sensor substrates that can be conformally integrated into the expandable structure. This allows the complex sensor array to be embedded in a simple, flexible form factor that maintains the capsule's swallowability and expandability.
3Loss of information
If the outer shell dissolves quickly, then sensor exposure is improved, but device structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is segmented into distinct functional layers: an outer dissolvable shell made of biocompatible materials that breaks down in the gastrointestinal environment, and an inner core containing the expandable material and sensors. This segmentation allows the outer shell to dissolve for sensor exposure while the inner core maintains structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule design incorporates a protective outer shell that dissolves at a controlled rate, providing temporary protection for the sensitive sensors during ingestion and deployment, then gradually dissolving to expose the sensors. This beforehand cushioning ensures sensor safety during transit while enabling subsequent exposure for data collection.
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 the collection of meaningful gastrointestinal data, aiding in obesity treatment by providing users with biofeedback and allowing for the monitoring of physiological variables, thus assisting in weight management and overall health assessment.
Implementation Method 1
an outer shell configured to dissolve or otherwise be digested in the stomach
Implementation Method 2
an expandable material configured to expand in the stomach
Implementation Method 3
an impedance element configured to obtain impedance data within a gastrointestinal tract
Implementation Method 4
a pressure sensor configured to obtain pressure data within a gastrointestinal tract
Data Source
AI summary
Autoexpandable devices for obtaining impedance, pressure, and other measurements in the gastrointestinal tract and other organs. In an exemplary embodiment of a capsule of the present disclosure, the capsule comprises an outer shell configured to dissolve or otherwise be digested within a stomach after ingestion, an expandable material positioned within the outer shell, the expandable material configured for expansion within the stomach after the outer shell has dissolved, and at least one element or sensor selected from the group consisting of an impedance element and a pressure sensor.