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Liu W, Choi SJ, George D, Li L, Zhong Z, Zhang R, Choi SY, Selaru FM, Gracias DH. Untethered shape-changing devices in the gastrointestinal tract. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2023; 20:1801-1822. [PMID: 38044866 PMCID: PMC10872387 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2023.2291450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Advances in microfabrication, automation, and computer engineering seek to revolutionize small-scale devices and machines. Emerging trends in medicine point to smart devices that emulate the motility, biosensing abilities, and intelligence of cells and pathogens that inhabit the human body. Two important characteristics of smart medical devices are the capability to be deployed in small conduits, which necessitates being untethered, and the capacity to perform mechanized functions, which requires autonomous shape-changing. AREAS COVERED We motivate the need for untethered shape-changing devices in the gastrointestinal tract for drug delivery, diagnosis, and targeted treatment. We survey existing structures and devices designed and utilized across length scales from the macro to the sub-millimeter. These devices range from triggerable pre-stressed thin film microgrippers and spring-loaded devices to shape-memory and differentially swelling structures. EXPERT OPINION Recent studies demonstrate that when fully enabled, tether-free and shape-changing devices, especially at sub-mm scales, could significantly advance the diagnosis and treatment of GI diseases ranging from cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by improving treatment efficacy, reducing costs, and increasing medication compliance. We discuss the challenges and possibilities associated with ensuring safe, reliable, and autonomous operation of these smart devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangqu Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Soo Jin Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Derosh George
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Ling Li
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Zijian Zhong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Ruili Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Si Young Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Florin M. Selaru
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - David H. Gracias
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics (LCSR), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for MicroPhysiological Systems (MPS), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Sarker S, Wankum B, Perey T, Mau MM, Shimizu J, Jones R, Terry B. A Novel Capsule-Delivered Enteric Drug-Injection Device for Delivery of Systemic Biologics: A Pilot Study in a Porcine Model. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 69:1870-1879. [PMID: 34807818 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2021.3129653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Innovative swallowable capsule technologies such as drug-loaded, dissolvable microneedles, mucoadhesive patches, and various microdevices present unique drug-carrying capabilities to overcome challenges regarding oral delivery of biologics. Here, we report a swallowable capsule for intestinal drug delivery (SCIDD) with the potential of directly injecting biological therapeutics into the insensate small intestine wall. The design, optimization, and validation of the SCIDD's primary subsystems were performed both ex-vivo and in-vivo. The assembled capsule was further tested in vivo to validate the actuation sequence and showed a 70% (n=17) success rate in an animal model. Additionally, a drug delivery study indicated systemic uptake of adalimumab via SCIDD compared with luminal delivery in the small intestine. The pilot study presented here establishes that the novel platform could be used to orally deliver systemic biologics.
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Eleftheriadis GK, Genina N, Boetker J, Rantanen J. Modular design principle based on compartmental drug delivery systems. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 178:113921. [PMID: 34390776 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The current manufacturing solutions for oral solid dosage forms are fundamentally based on technologies from the 19th century. This approach is well suited for mass production of one-size-fits-all products; however, it does not allow for a straight-forward personalization and mass customization of the pharmaceutical end-product. In order to provide better therapies to the patients, a need for innovative manufacturing concepts and product design principles has been rising. Additive manufacturing opens up a possibility for compartmentalization of drug products, including design of spatially separated multidrug and functional excipient compartments. This compartmentalized solution can be further expanded to modular design thinking. Modular design is referring to combination of building blocks containing a given amount of drug compound(s) and related functional excipients into a larger final product. Implementation of modular design principles is paving the way for implementing the emerging personalization potential within health sciences by designing compartmental and reactive product structures that can be manufactured based on the individual needs of each patient. This review will introduce the existing compartmentalized product design principles and discuss the integration of these into edible electronics allowing for innovative control of drug release.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalja Genina
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johan Boetker
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jukka Rantanen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Smart pills for gastrointestinal diagnostics and therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 177:113931. [PMID: 34416311 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ingestible smart pills have the potential to be a powerful clinical tool in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disease. Though examples of this technology, such as capsule endoscopy, have been successfully translated from the lab into clinically used products, there are still numerous challenges that need to be overcome. This review gives an overview of the research being done in the area of ingestible smart pills and reports on the technical challenges in this field.
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Sarker S, Wankum B, Shimizu J, Jones R, Terry B. A Factorial Approach for Optimizing the Design Parameters of a Tissue Attachment Mechanism for Drug Delivery. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 69:32-41. [PMID: 34097601 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2021.3086975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Biological macromolecule drugs or biologics are not suited for commonly preferred oral delivery due to their intrinsic instability and physical, chemical, or immunological barriers to the gastrointestinal tract. Ingestible capsule robots (ICR) have become a versatile platform, including use for drug delivery applications for various gastrointestinal pathologies with future potential for systemic drug delivery. In this work, a tissue attachment mechanism (TAM) for a drug delivery ICR is introduced that can facilitate a non-invasive systemic delivery of unaltered biologics via direct injection through the insensate layers of the small intestine. The main prerequisite for achieving systemic drug delivery via this device is to have strong tissue attachment of the TAM. This study aimed to optimize the attachment success rate for drug delivery and characterize attachment duration in vivo. A fractional factorial approach was used in vivo to identify and optimize factors that most influence attachment of the TAM to maximize attachment rate. Multiple in vivo optimization levels were performed using the small intestine of anesthetized pigs, and an attachment success rate of 92% was achieved. Optimal TAMs were surgically placed in vivo to determine the duration of attachment following anesthetization and surgery recovery. The average in vivo attachment duration was 32.29.4 hours. This work establishes a device for consistent and reliable attachment duration, making the TAM a suitable candidate for a 24-hour systemic drug delivery platform.
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Nittas V, Mütsch M, Braun J, Puhan MA. Self-Monitoring App Preferences for Sun Protection: Discrete Choice Experiment Survey Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e18889. [PMID: 33245282 PMCID: PMC7732707 DOI: 10.2196/18889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The availability and use of health apps continues to increase, revolutionizing the way mobile health interventions are delivered. Apps are increasingly used to prevent disease, improve well-being, and promote healthy behavior. On a similar rise is the incidence of skin cancers. Much of the underlying risk can be prevented through behavior change and adequate sun protection. Self-monitoring apps have the potential to facilitate prevention by measuring risk (eg, sun intensity) and encouraging protective behavior (eg, seeking shade). Objective Our aim was to assess health care consumer preferences for sun protection with a self-monitoring app that tracks the duration and intensity of sun exposure and provides feedback on when and how to protect the skin. Methods We conducted an unlabeled discrete choice experiment with 8 unique choice tasks, in which participants chose among 2 app alternatives, consisting of 5 preidentified 2-level attributes (self-monitoring method, privacy control, data sharing with health care provides, reminder customizability, and costs) that were the result of a multistep and multistakeholder qualitative approach. Participant preferences, and thus, the relative importance of attributes and their levels were estimated using conditional logit modeling. Analyses consisted of 200 usable surveys, yielding 3196 observations. Results Our respondents strongly preferred automatic over manually operated self-monitoring (odds ratio [OR] 2.37, 95% CI 2.06-2.72) and no cost over a single payment of 3 Swiss francs (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.49-1.99). They also preferred having over not having the option of sharing their data with a health care provider of their choice (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.40-1.97), repeated over single user consents, whenever app data are shared with commercial thirds (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.31-1.88), and customizable over noncustomizable reminders (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09-1.54). While most participants favored thorough privacy infrastructures, the attribute of privacy control was a relatively weak driver of app choice. The attribute of self-monitoring method significantly interacted with gender and perceived personal usefulness of health apps, suggesting that female gender and lower perceived usefulness are associated with relatively weaker preferences for automatic self-monitoring. Conclusions Based on the preferences of our respondents, we found that the utility of a self-monitoring sun protection app can be increased if the app is simple and adjustable; requires minimal effort, time, or expense; and has an interoperable design and thorough privacy infrastructure. Similar features might be desirable for preventive health apps in other areas, paving the way for future discrete choice experiments. Nonetheless, to fully understand these preference dynamics, further qualitative or mixed method research on mobile self-monitoring-based sun protection and broader preventive mobile self-monitoring is required. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/16087
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasileios Nittas
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Margot Mütsch
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Braun
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Milo Alan Puhan
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Banis GE, Beardslee LA, Stine JM, Sathyam RM, Ghodssi R. Capacitive sensing of triglyceride film reactions: a proof-of-concept demonstration for sensing in simulated duodenal contents with gastrointestinal targeting capsule system. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:2020-2032. [PMID: 32391526 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc00133c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ingestible capsule systems continue to evolve to overcome drawbacks associated with traditional gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic and therapeutic processes, such as limitations on which sections of the GI tract can be accessed or the inability to measure local biomarker concentrations. We report an integrated capsule sensing system, utilizing a hybrid packaging scheme coupled with triglyceride film-coated capacitive sensors, for measuring biochemical species present in the duodenum, such as pancreatic lipase and bile acids. The system uses microfabricated capacitive sensors interfaced with a Bluetooth low-energy (BLE)-microcontroller, allowing wireless connectivity to a mobile app. The triglyceride films insulate the sensor surface and react either with 0.01-1 mM lipase via hydrolysis or 0.07-7% w/v bile acids via emulsification in simulated fluids, leading to measurable changes in capacitance. Cross reactivity of the triglyceride films is evaluated in both phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as well as pancreatic trypsin solutions. The film morphology is observed after exposure to each stimulus to better understand how these changes alter the sensor capacitance. The capsule utilizes a 3D-printed package coated with polymers that remain intact in acid solution (mimicking gastric conditions), then dissolve at a duodenum-mimicking neutral pH for triggered opening of the sensing chamber from which we can subsequently detect the presence of pancreatic lipase. This device strategy represents a significant step towards using embedded packaging and triglyceride-based materials to target specific regions of the GI tract and sensing biochemical contents for evaluating gastrointestinal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- George E Banis
- Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, USA. and Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, USA
| | | | - Justin M Stine
- Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, USA. and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Rajendra Mayavan Sathyam
- Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, USA. and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Reza Ghodssi
- Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, USA. and Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, USA and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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Beardslee LA, Banis GE, Chu S, Liu S, Chapin AA, Stine JM, Pasricha PJ, Ghodssi R. Ingestible Sensors and Sensing Systems for Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Monitoring: The Next Frontier in Minimally Invasive Screening. ACS Sens 2020; 5:891-910. [PMID: 32157868 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.9b02263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ingestible electronic systems that are capable of embedded sensing, particularly within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and its accessory organs, have the potential to screen for diseases that are difficult if not impossible to detect at an early stage using other means. Furthermore, these devices have the potential to (1) reduce labor and facility costs for a variety of procedures, (2) promote research for discovering new biomarker targets for associated pathologies, (3) promote the development of autonomous or semiautonomous diagnostic aids for consumers, and (4) provide a foundation for epithelially targeted therapeutic interventions. These technological advances have the potential to make disease surveillance and treatment far more effective for a variety of conditions, allowing patients to lead longer and more productive lives. This review will examine the conventional techniques, as well as ingestible sensors and sensing systems that are currently under development for use in disease screening and diagnosis for GI disorders. Design considerations, fabrication, and applications will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A. Beardslee
- Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - George E. Banis
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Sangwook Chu
- Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Sanwei Liu
- Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Ashley A. Chapin
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Justin M. Stine
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Pankaj Jay Pasricha
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Reza Ghodssi
- Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
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Bettinger CJ. Materialien und Strukturen für schluckbare elektromechanische medizinische Funktionseinheiten. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201806470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Bettinger
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering Carnegie Mellon University 5000 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890 USA
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Bettinger CJ. Advances in Materials and Structures for Ingestible Electromechanical Medical Devices. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:16946-16958. [PMID: 29999578 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201806470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ingestible biomedical devices that diagnose, prevent, or treat diseases has been a dream of engineers and clinicians for decades. The increasing apparent importance of gut health on overall well-being and the prevalence of many gastrointestinal diseases have renewed focus on this emerging class of medical devices. Several prominent examples of commercially successful ingestible medical devices exist. However, many technical challenges remain before ingestible medical devices can achieve their full clinical potential. This Minireview summarizes recent discoveries in this interdisciplinary topic including novel materials, advanced materials processing techniques, and select examples of integrated ingestible electromechanical systems. After a brief historical perspective, these topics will be reviewed with a dedicated focus on advanced functional materials and fabrication strategies in the context of clinical translation and potential regulatory considerations. Future perspectives, challenges, and opportunities related to ingestible medical devices will also be summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Bettinger
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-3890, USA
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