Luminescent GI Sampling Capsule with Biodegradable Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for diagnosing gastrointestinal (GI) conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are invasive, time-consuming, expensive, and lack precision, while stool sampling methods are imprecise due to dependence on various factors.
Innovation Solution
An ingestible capsule device with a luminescent substrate that emits light upon exposure to a luminescing trigger, using chemical interactions to detect biomarkers like MPO, and a biodegradable coating to target specific GI regions, transmitting wireless signals for detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional diagnostic methods (endoscopies, colonoscopies) are used, then diagnosis capability is provided, but invasiveness and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical diagnostic systems (endoscopes, colonoscopes) with a chemical sensing system. The capsule uses luminescent substrates that chemically interact with biomarkers in GI fluid to produce luminescent signals, eliminating the need for mechanical insertion and visual inspection while maintaining diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces luminescent substrates as intermediary elements between the diagnostic system and the GI tract. These substrates chemically interact with biomarkers to produce detectable luminescent signals, serving as a mediator that enables non-invasive detection without direct mechanical contact with the GI mucosa.
2Measurement precision
If conventional diagnostic methods are used, then diagnosis capability is provided, but procedure time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule device performs self-powered detection using luminescent substrates that generate their own signals through chemical interactions with biomarkers. The system requires no external power source, excitation light, or complex instrumentation, enabling autonomous operation within the GI tract and significantly reducing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical procedures with rapid chemical sensing. The luminescent substrates provide immediate detection signals upon contact with biomarkers, eliminating the need for lengthy visual inspection and tissue biopsy procedures required by conventional endoscopy.
3Measurement precision
If fluorescence devices are used, then detection capability is provided, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex fluorescence detection systems with simple luminescent chemical sensing. The luminescent substrates emit light directly through chemical reactions with biomarkers, eliminating the need for external excitation light sources, filters, and complex optical detection systems required by fluorescence devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The luminescent substrates are self-activating through chemical interactions with biomarkers in the GI tract. The system generates its own detection signals without requiring external power sources, excitation light, or complex electronic detection circuits, dramatically simplifying the overall device architecture.
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
Provides less invasive, more precise diagnosis of GI conditions by detecting biomarkers directly in the GI tract, reducing complexity and power requirements compared to fluorescence devices.
Implementation Method 1
The luminescent substrate may be configured to emit a luminescent light upon exposure to a sample fluid containing a luminescing trigger
Implementation Method 2
The photodetector may be configured to detect the luminescent light
Implementation Method 3
a biodegradable coating closing the sampling aperture such that degradation of the biodegradable coating may expose the sampling aperture to permit fluid flow into the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
The techniques provide for non-invasive gastrointestinal sampling. In some embodiments, a device includes a capsule housing bounding a cavity, a sampling aperture formed in the capsule housing and providing fluid communication between the cavity and an exterior of the capsule housing, a luminescent substrate layer positioned within cavity, the luminescent substrate being configured to emit a luminescent light upon exposure to a sample fluid containing a luminescing trigger, and at least one additional substrate layer positioned within the cavity between the sampling aperture and the luminescent substrate, each of the at least one additional substrate layers being configured to chemically interact with the sample fluid. The device also includes a photodetector positioned within the cavity, the photodetector configured to detect the luminescent light, and a biodegradable coating closing the sampling aperture such that degradation of the biodegradable coating exposes the sampling aperture to permit fluid flow into the cavity.