Ingestible GI Capsule Internal Vibration for Constipation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for treating constipation are partially effective and associated with significant side effects, and existing methods for stimulating the gastrointestinal tract, such as vibration, are cumbersome and may be ineffective in patients with thick or muscular abdominal walls.
Innovation Solution
A gastrointestinal capsule (GIC) that is ingestible and automatically activated to vigorously pressurize and vibrate the intestinal walls, using agitation means like electric motors, solenoids, or electro-active polymers, to stimulate the GI tract and induce peristaltic waves, with programmable agitation times and frequencies to target specific segments of the GI tract.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration is applied to the abdominal wall to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, then constipation symptoms are alleviated, but the technique is cumbersome and ineffective in patients with thick or muscular abdominal walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capsule as an intermediary device that travels through the gastrointestinal tract and delivers vibration internally. This mediator bypasses the problem of external vibration being blocked by thick or muscular abdominal walls, allowing direct stimulation of the intestinal walls from within the lumen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the external mechanical vibration system with an internal mechanical vibration system. Instead of using external vibration devices applied to the abdominal wall, a vibration generator is embedded within the capsule to produce internal vibration that directly stimulates the gastrointestinal tract.
2Reliability
If current medication is used to treat constipation, then symptoms are partially relieved, but significant side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological treatment with a mechanical treatment approach. Instead of using medications that chemically affect the gastrointestinal system and cause side effects, the capsule uses mechanical vibration and pressure to stimulate peristalsis and relieve constipation physically.
3Reliability
If the capsule vigorously agitates and vibrates the GI wall to stimulate motor activity, then constipation is effectively treated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible capsule shell that can be expanded and contracted to agitate the GI wall. The flexible membrane allows the capsule to conform to the intestinal shape while transmitting vibration and pressure forces, achieving effective stimulation without requiring complex rigid mechanical structures.
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
The GIC effectively stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, reducing constipation symptoms by mechanically exciting the intestinal walls, improving motor activity and transit time, and is designed to be safe and adaptable for various conditions, including obesity and gastro-paresis.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor
Implementation Method 2
an actuator implemented by, such as an electric solenoid
Implementation Method 3
an electro-active polymer (EAP)
Data Source
AI summary
An ingestible gastrointestinal capsule (GIC) for mechanically stimulating a segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) wall by alternately and repeatedly pressurizing, and/or vibrating it is provided. The GIC is programmed to being activated following a predefined time delay. The activated GIC agitates, shakes, rattles, jolts, vibrates and/or moves in a reciprocal expanding and contracting motion thereby mechanically stimulating the adjacent segment of the GI wall at a targeted location. Activation of the GIC may include a number of automatically accomplished partial activations, such as when the time elapsed from the moment of setting the GIC on equals a predefined time delay; when the mechanical load applied onto the GIC exceeds, and/or gets lower than a respective predefined level of mechanical load; when the ambient pH reaches a predefined level, or changes, and/or a temperature associated with the user reaches a predefined threshold. Agitation is accomplished by means of agitation means embedded in the GIC. Such agitation means includes an unbalanced weight attached to the shaft of an electric motor, an actuator implemented by, such as an electric solenoid, an electro-active polymer (EAP), a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA), embedded in a GIC of the invention.