Ingestible Sensor Capsule for Gastrointestinal Inflammation Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders like IBS and IBD are challenging due to limited accessibility of the gastrointestinal tract, with non-invasive methods lacking sensitivity and invasive methods being limited and discomforting.
Innovation Solution
A method using a sensor device that ingests through the gastrointestinal tract to collect data on inflammatory biomarkers and pH, identifying transitions between tract parts to locate inflammatory states by analyzing time series data for accurate determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If non-invasive methods (stool analysis) are used, then patient comfort is improved, but measurement precision and sensitivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an ingestible sensor capsule as an intermediary device that travels through the gastrointestinal tract to collect local measurements of inflammatory biomarkers and pH. This mediator enables direct internal measurement without invasive procedures, resolving the contradiction between patient comfort and measurement precision by bridging the gap between non-invasive access and internal data collection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical invasive procedures (colonoscopy) with a passive ingestible sensor system that uses magnetic field communication and natural gastrointestinal transit. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical insertion and removal of devices, maintaining patient comfort while enabling precise internal measurements through wireless data transmission
2Measurement precision
If invasive methods (colonoscopy) are used, then measurement precision is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates and accessibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ingestible sensor capsule serves as an intermediary that provides direct internal measurement capability without requiring mechanical insertion instruments. The capsule naturally transits through the gastrointestinal tract, collecting precise local measurements of inflammatory biomarkers and pH while avoiding the discomfort and limitations of traditional colonoscopy procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor capsule is designed to be universally applicable throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, not limited to specific segments like traditional colonoscopy. It can measure multiple parameters (inflammatory biomarkers, pH, temperature) simultaneously, providing comprehensive diagnostic information with a single minimally invasive device
3Device complexity
If traditional methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to localize inflammatory state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor capsule performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing multiple parameters (inflammatory biomarker levels, pH, temperature) along with timestamp and location data during its transit through the gastrointestinal tract. This preliminary data collection enables subsequent analysis to precisely localize inflammatory states without requiring complex real-time processing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of spatial localization by combining temporal data (time series measurements) with anatomical position information derived from transit time and characteristic pH transitions. This transforms simple presence/absence detection into precise localization along the gastrointestinal tract axis, maintaining device simplicity while recovering location information
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an aspect there is provided a method for identifying and localizing an inflammatory state in a gastrointestinal tract. The method comprises: receiving a first time series of data representing an inflammatory biomarker level and a second time series of data representing pH, wherein the time series are acquired by a sensor device while the device passes through the tract; identifying a first time point of a transition from a first to a second part of the tract based on value change of at least one of the first and second data; analyzing at least one of the time series, for identifying occurrence of the inflammatory state; and on if an occurrence of the inflammatory state is identified: determining a second time point of the occurrence of the inflammatory state; and determining a location, along the gastrointestinal tract, of the inflammatory state based on the first and second time points.