SensoPellet: A new tool to investigate signalling and motility in the lower digestive tract

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Chronic constipation and faecal incontinence are prevalent in the elderly and often lead to social isolation. Little is known regarding why these conditions occur with age; however they have been classified as functional bowel disorders. Signalling molecules such as serotonin regulate the motility of the bowel, and therefore investigating alterations in these signalling molecules may help our understanding of these disorders. In this proposed project we aim to develop a new medical device, known as the SensoPellet, which is a sensor based device moulded into the shape of a faecal pellet. This device will be used to understand the process of normal defecation. The device will consist of carbon composite electrodes encased in a cavity moulded into the shape of a faecal pellet. This device will be characterised for its suitability for conducting stable biological recordings in colonic tissue. Biological recordings will allow the means to simultaneously monitor serotonin levels and image the motion of the pellet to understand the process of terminal bowel motility. The ability of the device to help us elucidate the process of normal defecation is important to understand what changes occur during the onset of age related disorders or how colonic motility is altered by various therapeutic agents utilised at present.