Smart Capsule for non-invasive targeted sampling and delivery in the gut

我们已经开发出一种原型磁致驱动胶囊，它可以根据需要从胃肠道内无线采集样本。这个胶囊有一个样品室，使用安全的低强度磁场无线激活。这种机器人胶囊内窥镜的操作比其他机器人胶囊内窥镜更简单，而且不依赖于复杂的控制系统或机制，而是使用体外的永久磁铁来激活胶囊。摄入后，胶囊的位置被跟踪，一旦它到达小肠内感兴趣的位置，就会用磁场短暂地打开它以收集样本。电场移除后，胶囊自然闭合并紧密密封，排出体外用于采集和样本分析。我们已经证明这种胶囊具有坚固的密封性和可靠的取样激活，我们已经在实验室和体内现场条件下进行了测试。在最初的动物试验中，我们已经证明该设备可以在活猪的胃中无线激活。在这个为期一年的I期项目中，我们的目标是在这些发现的基础上解决我们设备成功商业化的两个关键挑战。1)我们将完善我们的方案，并进行两组活狗试验（每组3只狗），以证明胶囊可以用于在胃肠道内的任何地方取样/递送。2)开发具有本地化能力的下一代胶囊。对于许多用例，在激活之前必须知道胶囊的位置。虽然医学成像（超声，x射线透视）可以观察胶囊，但我们已经开发了一种原型磁定位方法，利用已经集成在胶囊中的磁铁。患者将穿着一件磁性传感器背心，该背心将用于计算胶囊在体内的位置，精度小于2厘米。

We have developed a prototype magnetically-actuated capsule which can take samples wirelessly on demand from within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This capsule has a sample chamber and is activated wirelessly using a safe low-strength magnetic field. The operation is simpler than other robotic capsule endoscopes and does not rely on complex control systems or mechanisms but instead has a simple operation using a permanent magnet outside the body to activate the capsule. Following ingestion, the capsule position is tracked and once it reaches the location of interest within the small intestine, it is briefly opened using the magnetic field to collect a sample. After the field is removed, the capsule naturally closes and seals tightly, to be excreted for collection and sample analysis.We have shown that this capsule has robust sealing and reliable sampling activation, which we have tested in both laboratory and in-vivo field conditions. In initial animal trials, we have shown the device can be wirelessly activated within the stomach of live pigs. In this one-year I2I Phase I project, we aim to build on these discoveries to address two key challenges to the successful commercialization of our device. 1) We will refine our protocol and conduct two sets of live dog trials (each with 3 dogs) to prove the capsule can be used to sample/delivery anywhere within the GI tract. 2) Developing Next Generation Capsule with Localization Capability. For many use cases, the location of the capsule must be known prior to activation. While medical imaging (ultrasound, X-Ray fluoroscopy) can observe the capsule, we have developed a prototype magnetic localization method which takes advantage of the magnets already integrated into the capsule. The patient would wear a vest of magnetic sensors which will be used to calculate the position of the capsule within the body to an accuracy of less than 2 cm.