Swallowable Capsule with Deployable Tissue Collection Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for esophageal and stomach conditions, such as esophageal cancer, are invasive, expensive, and often fail to effectively image or collect tissue samples, leading to delayed diagnosis and poor survival rates.
Innovation Solution
A swallowable capsule with deployable structures and an imaging component that expands to deploy collection mechanisms, such as brushes or blades, to capture tissue samples from the esophagus and stomach, allowing for non-invasive imaging and sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional endoscopic techniques are used for tissue collection, then tissue samples can be obtained, but the procedure becomes invasive and requires sedation and specialized practitioners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical endoscopic system with a swallowable capsule that uses internal deployment mechanisms. The capsule contains deployment structures with collection elements (brushes, forceps, or blades) that can be deployed and retracted within the capsule body, eliminating the need for traditional endoscopic insertion through the mouth and throat.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule acts as an intermediary device between the patient and the collection mechanism. It includes a deployment structure that can extend collection elements through openings in the capsule body, allowing tissue collection without direct endoscopic manipulation. The capsule body serves as a protective intermediary that enables safe deployment and retraction of collection elements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pill-sized cameras are used for imaging, then non-invasive imaging is achieved, but the tissue collection capability is poor or ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges imaging functionality and tissue collection functionality into a single integrated capsule device. The capsule body contains both an imaging component for visualizing the esophagus and stomach, and a deployment structure with collection elements for obtaining tissue samples. This combination allows the device to perform both functions effectively without requiring separate procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is designed as a multi-functional device that can both image the gastrointestinal tract and collect tissue samples. The deployment structure can be configured with different collection elements (brushes, forceps, or blades) to handle various tissue collection needs, while the imaging component provides visual guidance and documentation.
3Reliability
If deployment structures are made extendable for effective tissue collection, then collection capability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It can transition between a retracted configuration (where collection elements are stored within the capsule body) and an extended configuration (where collection elements protrude through openings for tissue collection). This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt its form factor during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment structure is segmented into multiple independent components that can be controlled separately. The capsule body contains multiple openings at different positions, and the deployment structure can selectively extend collection elements through specific openings based on the imaging results and clinical needs, providing flexible and targeted tissue collection.
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 early diagnosis and potential treatment of esophageal and stomach conditions without the need for sedation or specialized practitioners, reducing complications and improving survival rates by facilitating effective tissue collection and imaging.
Implementation Method 1
Expansion of the expansion component urges the plurality of deployment structures toward the deployed configuration
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices having both imaging components and cell collection apparatuses. More specifically, the various embodiments disclosed herein include swallowable capsules having deployable collection structures, expansion structures to deploy the collection structures, and imaging components.