An untethered remotely triggered device for collecting fluids and cells from the intestinal lumen

In this project the research team will develop an ingestible pill-like capsule that can be used to collect liquid samples from inside the gut. The idea for the capsule came from the need to evaluate the small intestinal immune responses to infections and vaccinations. The specimen collected by the capsule will also be useful for diagnosis of gut-related infections, illnesses, and disorders. Endoscopes and gastroscopes that doctors usually use to retrieve specimens from the gut have limited reach into the small intestinal system. More specialized equipment and procedures exists for collecting specimens from deep within the 6 meter long small intestine, but these procedures are very invasive and usually not done unless deemed necessary. To collect a specimen by using the capsule, on the other hand, will be a simple, low-cost, and relatively non-invasive procedure. After the capsule has been ingested, the body will naturally transport the capsule through the gut, and a remote control can be used to trigger the sample collection. The capsule will be pre-filled with buffer salts that mix with the specimen and limit the degradation of collected cells and molecules such as proteins, DNA, and RNA. Once the capsule has been retrieved, the specimen can be extracted and use for further diagnostic testing. The remote control will be designed so that multiple capsules can be ingested and triggered separately, allowing for collecting specimens from multiple different regions of the gut at the same time. Similar capsules already on the market include the PillCam®, which is used to collect pictures from the inside of the gut as it travels through digestive system, but none of these devices are capable of collecting specimens.