Magnetic Microstructure for Intestinal Microbe Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for sampling intestinal microbes face challenges due to capsule size limitations, instability, and difficulty in targeting specific locations within the intestines, as well as inefficient recovery of sampled microbes.
Innovation Solution
A microstructure comprising a core with magnetic nanoparticles, a reaction initiator, and a polymer monomer, surrounded by a fatty acid shell, which can be moved to desired locations using an external magnetic field and heated to melt the fatty acid for microbial adsorption and subsequent recovery via radical polymerization and magnetic field manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional capsules are used for sampling intestinal microbes, then the capsule can be manufactured in a size that can be taken by patients, but the capsule size is burdensome to swallow and has insufficient stability and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sampling system into two parts: a small microstructure (0.2-2 mm) for active sampling and a larger capsule for ingestion. The microstructure is swallowed easily and performs sampling in the intestine, while the capsule provides containment and delivery. This segmentation allows the sampling component to be small and reliable while the ingestible component remains manageable in size.
Solution Approach 2:
The microstructure is nested within the capsule for delivery. The small magnetic microstructure containing sampling components is contained inside the larger ingestible capsule, allowing the system to benefit from both the small size of the microstructure for reliability and the larger size of the capsule for easy ingestion and containment.
2Ease of operation
If conventional capsules are used for sampling intestinal microbes, then the capsule can collect fluid through peristalsis, but the capsule has difficulty in location regulation to sample from specific locations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces passive mechanical collection with active magnetic control. Instead of relying on capsule peristalsis and mechanical movement for location control, the microstructure incorporates magnetic nanoparticles that respond to external magnetic fields, enabling precise location regulation without complex mechanical actuation systems within the capsule.
Solution Approach 2:
An external magnetic field system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the microstructure for location control. The magnetic field mediates the positioning of the microstructure at specific intestinal locations without requiring direct mechanical interaction or complex internal mechanisms within the capsule itself.
3Reliability
If conventional capsules discharge sampled fluid to the body, then the fluid can be collected, but the method for collecting microbes remains insufficient and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The microstructure utilizes phase transition of the fatty acid shell (melting point 40-50°C) in response to external heating. The shell transitions from solid to liquid state, enabling the microstructure to adsorb microbes from intestinal fluid. This phase transition provides a reliable, controlled mechanism for microbe collection that is triggered by external temperature control rather than relying on complex internal collection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the microstructure by applying external heat to melt the fatty acid shell. This parameter change (temperature increase) triggers the phase transition and enables microbe adsorption. The magnetic properties are also changed by applying external magnetic fields for positioning and recovery, providing reliable control over the collection process through parameter manipulation.
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 precise sampling and recovery of intestinal microbes from various locations, facilitating research and diagnosis through genetic analysis, with improved stability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
applying an external stimulus thereto; melting fatty acid of the microstructure
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic nanoparticles may be heated
Implementation Method 3
applying an external magnetic field to the microstructure to move the microstructure to a location for sampling microbes
Implementation Method 4
a core containing magnetic nanoparticles, a reaction initiator, and a polymer monomer
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present invention pertain to a microstructure for actively sampling microbes, which can easily sample and recover intestinal microbes, and a method of actively sampling microbes by using same. The microstructure for actively sampling microbes may comprise: a core including magnetic nanoparticles, a reaction initiator, and a polymer monomer; and a shell surrounding the core and including a fatty acid.