Gastric Fluids Could Help Power Ingestible Devices
|
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 21 Feb 2017 |
|
Image: A new study suggests a novel bio-galvanic cell could power ingestible devices (Photo courtesy of BWH).
A new study suggests that electrolytes in gastric acid could provide a sufficiently potent energy source to power ingestible electronics.
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other institutions have developed a prototype ingestible capsule body temperature monitor that is powered by an energy-harvesting galvanic cell, based on a redox couple formed by a dissolving metallic anode that undergoes galvanic oxidation, and an inert cathode that returns electrons to the gastrointestinal (GI) fluids that form the electrolyte.
The bio-galvanic cell delivered an average power of 0.23 μW mm−2 of electrode area for an average of 6.1 days of temperature measurements in the GI tract of pigs, with measurements taken every 12 seconds, on average, and sent wirelessly to a remote device. In addition, the researchers showed that prototype devices could activate the release of fluids contained within the device using the harvested power, illustrating potential therapeutic applications for drug delivery. The study was published on February 6, 2017, in Nature Biomedical Engineering.
“Because of the GI tract's unique position in the body - adjacent to the heart, lungs, and liver - there is a growing interest in devices that can also monitor and potentially treat a variety of organ systems and conditions,” said senior author gastroenterologist and biomedical engineer C. Giovanni Traverso, MD, PhD, of the BWH division of gastroenterology. “The future of ingestible devices could look dramatically different from what we have today. Ingestible electronics have an expanding role in the evaluation of patients.”
“The potential of applying electronics or electrical signals for treatment is being explored and the potential for long-term monitoring and treatment is being realized through the development of systems with the capacity for safe, extended gastrointestinal residence,” concluded Dr. Traverso and colleagues. “Energy alternatives for GI systems are needed to enable broad applicability, especially given size and biocompatibility constraints coupled with the need for long-term power sources and low-cost systems.”
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other institutions have developed a prototype ingestible capsule body temperature monitor that is powered by an energy-harvesting galvanic cell, based on a redox couple formed by a dissolving metallic anode that undergoes galvanic oxidation, and an inert cathode that returns electrons to the gastrointestinal (GI) fluids that form the electrolyte.
The bio-galvanic cell delivered an average power of 0.23 μW mm−2 of electrode area for an average of 6.1 days of temperature measurements in the GI tract of pigs, with measurements taken every 12 seconds, on average, and sent wirelessly to a remote device. In addition, the researchers showed that prototype devices could activate the release of fluids contained within the device using the harvested power, illustrating potential therapeutic applications for drug delivery. The study was published on February 6, 2017, in Nature Biomedical Engineering.
“Because of the GI tract's unique position in the body - adjacent to the heart, lungs, and liver - there is a growing interest in devices that can also monitor and potentially treat a variety of organ systems and conditions,” said senior author gastroenterologist and biomedical engineer C. Giovanni Traverso, MD, PhD, of the BWH division of gastroenterology. “The future of ingestible devices could look dramatically different from what we have today. Ingestible electronics have an expanding role in the evaluation of patients.”
“The potential of applying electronics or electrical signals for treatment is being explored and the potential for long-term monitoring and treatment is being realized through the development of systems with the capacity for safe, extended gastrointestinal residence,” concluded Dr. Traverso and colleagues. “Energy alternatives for GI systems are needed to enable broad applicability, especially given size and biocompatibility constraints coupled with the need for long-term power sources and low-cost systems.”
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
New
Patient Preoperative Skin Preparation
BD ChloraPrep
New
Multi-Chamber Washer-Disinfector
WD 390
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channel
Machine Learning Approach Enhances Liver Cancer Risk Stratification
Hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer, is often detected late despite targeted surveillance programs. Current screening guidelines emphasize patients with known cirrhosis,... Read more
New AI Approach Monitors Brain Health Using Passive Wearable Data
Brain health spans cognitive and emotional functions and can fluctuate even in adults without diagnosed disease. Detecting early changes remains difficult in routine care and burdens specialty services... Read more
Critical Care
view channel
Automated IV Labeling Solution Improves Infusion Safety and Efficiency
Medication administration in high-acuity settings is often complicated by multiple concurrent infusions, making accurate line identification essential. In a 10-hospital intensive care unit study, 60% of... Read more
First-Of-Its-Kind AI Tool Detects Pulmonary Hypertension from Standard ECGs
Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive, life‑threatening disease that is frequently missed early because symptoms such as dyspnea are nonspecific and diagnostic delays can exceed two years.... Read more
Surgical Techniques
view channel
Continuous Monitoring with Wearables Enhances Postoperative Patient Safety
Postoperative hypoxemia on general surgical wards is common and often missed by intermittent vital sign checks. Undetected low oxygen levels can delay recovery and raise the risk of complications that... Read more
New Approach Enables Customized Muscle Tissue Without Biomaterial Scaffolds
Volumetric muscle loss is a traumatic loss of skeletal muscle that often leads to permanent functional impairment and limited reconstructive options. Current experimental strategies struggle to deliver... Read more
Patient Care
view channel
Wearable Sleep Data Predict Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung disorder that makes breathing difficult and often disturbs sleep, reducing energy for daily activities. Limited engagement in pulmonary... Read more
Revolutionary Automatic IV-Line Flushing Device to Enhance Infusion Care
More than 80% of in-hospital patients receive intravenous (IV) therapy. Every dose of IV medicine delivered in a small volume (<250 mL) infusion bag should be followed by subsequent flushing to ensure... Read more
Business
view channel
GE HealthCare Leads Major European Initiative to Advance Cardio-Oncology Care
Cardiovascular complications are increasingly recognized among people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment, driven by pre‑existing disease and the cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy,... Read more
