Vibrating Ingestible Capsule for Diarrhea Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods are inadequate in effectively treating diarrhea and reducing Bristol stool scores, which are indicators of gastrointestinal health issues.
Innovation Solution
A vibrating ingestible capsule with a battery-powered agitation mechanism that vibrates within the gastrointestinal tract to mechanically stimulate the intestinal walls, reducing diarrhea frequency and Bristol stool scores by exerting controlled radial and axial forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to treat diarrhea, then treatment is provided, but the methods are inadequate in effectively reducing Bristol stool scores and treating diarrhea
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a capsule containing an unbalanced weight attached to a motor shaft. When the motor rotates the unbalanced weight, it generates vibrations that are transmitted to the intestinal wall through the capsule housing. This mechanical vibration stimulates the intestinal wall to enhance peristalsis and improve gastrointestinal motility, thereby effectively treating diarrhea and reducing Bristol stool scores.
2Reliability
If a vibrating capsule is used to mechanically stimulate intestinal walls, then diarrhea treatment effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the vibrating mechanism is contained within the capsule housing. The motor and unbalanced weight are nested inside the sealed housing, which itself is ingested by the patient. This nested design allows the complex vibrating mechanism to be compactly integrated into a small, ingestible capsule form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule is designed as a disposable single-use device. It includes a sealed housing containing the motor, battery, and unbalanced weight, along with a biodegradable or dissolvable shell that protects the internal components during ingestion and dissolution in the gastrointestinal tract. This disposable approach simplifies the overall system design by eliminating the need for complex retrieval or recharging mechanisms.
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 capsule effectively alleviates diarrhea and lowers Bristol stool scores by providing mechanical stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the frequency of loose bowel movements and improving fecal matter consistency over a treatment period.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrating agitation mechanism, powered by the battery, the vibrating agitation mechanism adapted such that, in a first vibrating mode of operation, the housing exerts vibrations on an environment surrounding the capsule
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating diarrhea in a subject and/or for reducing Bristol stool scores of fecal matter of a subject using a vibrating ingestible capsule ingested by the subject and activated in a targeted zone of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject.