Ingestible Device Sampling GI Fluids via Thermal Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ingestible capsule devices for sampling gastrointestinal fluids face challenges in providing enough energy and space for real-time measurement due to the high energy demand and space requirements of peristaltic pumps, limiting their ability to effectively sample and analyze GI fluids.
Innovation Solution
An ingestible device with an energy-saving and space-saving reversible actuating mechanism that allows for simultaneous enlargement of a sampling chamber and diminishment of a drug release chamber, enabling real-time measurement of GI fluids and allowing for remote activation, which includes a compressed spring and electrically conductive alloy for Joule heating, and ball release members for efficient decompression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a peristaltic pump is used for fluid control in the ingestible capsule device, then the device can collect and transport GI fluids, but the energy demand and space requirement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the peristaltic pump from the ingestible capsule device, extracting the high-energy mechanical component that was causing excessive energy consumption and space occupation. Instead, the device uses passive fluid collection through chamber expansion and contraction driven by temperature changes, eliminating the need for active pumping mechanisms while maintaining fluid collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical peristaltic pump system with a thermally-driven fluid control system. Temperature changes cause the chambers to expand and contract, passively moving fluids through the device without mechanical pumps. This substitution eliminates motors, gears, and other high-energy mechanical components.
2Reliability
If a peristaltic pump is used for fluid control in the ingestible capsule device, then the device can collect and transport GI fluids, but the space for sensors and real-time measurement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the peristaltic pump from the ingestible capsule device, extracting the high-energy mechanical component that was causing excessive energy consumption and space occupation. Instead, the device uses passive fluid collection through chamber expansion and contraction driven by temperature changes, eliminating the need for active pumping mechanisms while maintaining fluid collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical peristaltic pump system with a thermally-driven fluid control system. Temperature changes cause the chambers to expand and contract, passively moving fluids through the device without mechanical pumps. This substitution eliminates motors, gears, and other high-energy mechanical components.
3Quantity of substance
If the sampling chamber is enlarged to collect more material, then the sampling capability improves, but the device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic chamber volume changes through temperature-induced expansion and contraction. The sampling chamber expands when heated to collect larger volumes of fluid, then contracts when cooled to reduce overall device volume for expulsion. This dynamic adjustment allows the device to achieve large sampling capacity temporarily without permanently increasing its size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions (thermal expansion and contraction) of the chamber materials to dynamically adjust volume. Heating causes the chamber to expand for maximum sampling capacity, while cooling causes it to contract for compact storage and expulsion, enabling the device to transition between different volume states based on operational requirements.
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 device provides sufficient energy and space for sensors to measure GI fluids in real-time, enabling effective sampling and drug delivery, while being compact enough for easy ingestion and compatible with various applications in human and animal health.
Implementation Method 1
electrically conductive alloy for Joule heating
Implementation Method 2
compressed spring
Data Source
AI summary
An ingestible device for sampling material at least one time is provided. The ingestible device includes a first chamber that is enlargeable in volume and that includes an inlet, and that can be filled with the material to be sampled, a second chamber that is diminishable in volume and that includes an outlet, and a reversible actuating mechanism. The reversible actuating mechanism is configured such that triggering the reversible actuating mechanism leads to an enlargement of the first chamber to collect the material to be sampled through the inlet and also leads to a diminishment of the second chamber.