Ingestable module for the functional exploration of the digestive tract

The present invention relates to the field of medical accessories for the exploration of certain organs, especially the digestive tract, and provides a functional exploration unmanageable module gut.

Currently, the functional exploration of the digestive tract is generally effected by means of a probe inserted into the intestine through the patient's mouth through the stomach and the pylorus or the anus. This known drill mode causes, however, a significant discomfort for the patient during the duration of the investigation, and further it does not allow to ensure the exploration of the entire length of the intestine. Finally, this known scan mode does not allow to place correctly the position of the tip of the probe at a given time. A functional exploration unmanageable module gut in the form of an elongated capsule of small diameter and having a source of electrical energy is known of the "Electronics, vol. 9, no. 10, 1976 Telemeter samples intestinal liquids ".

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

It has in fact relates to a functional exploration unmanageable module digestive tract in the form of an elongate capsule of small diameter and having a source of electrical energy, characterized in that it comprises a measuring means displacement delivering displacement pulses to an electronic emitter circuit for transmitting data to an external receiver party and the electrical power source providing power to the circuit.

The invention will be better understood from the following description which relates to preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: <ul><li>Figure 1 is a side elevational view in section of a module according to a preferable embodiment of the invention,</li><li>Figure 2 is a plan view and partially in section of Figure 1;</li><li>FIG 3 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 to a larger scale of an alternative embodiment of the invention, and</li><li>FIG 4 is a similar view to that of Figure 1 of a third variant embodiment of the invention.</li></ul>

According to the invention, and as shown more particularly by way of example, Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the functional exploration of the digestive tract unmanageable modulus is in the form of an elongated capsule 1 low diameter having means 2 for measuring the displacement delivering displacement pulses to an electronic emitter circuit 3 which transmits data to a corresponding external receiver, this circuit 3 is powered by a power source 4.

Means 2 for measuring the displacement is advantageously constituted by a toothed wheel 5 freely rotatably mounted in the body 1 of the capsule, projecting on one side on the contour of the body of the capsule 1, and provided with a axis 6, of polygonal cross section (Figure 2), preferably of triangular cross-section, that wheel 5 is mounted in the capsule 1 in fixed or retractable position in the capsule 1 against the action of a spring, a flexure 7 fitted at one end in the body of the capsule 1 and bearing at its other end on the axis 6, the plane of the lamella 7 passing through the axis of rotation of the wheel 5, and by a strain gauge stuck 8 on the slide 7.

The electronic transmitter circuit 3 for transmitting data to a corresponding external receiver is a known type of miniaturized electronic circuit, which is connected on the one hand, to the strain gauge 8 and, secondly, to the source of power 4 which advantageously consists of known batteries.

Depending on the direction of rotation of the toothed wheel 5, the axis 6 raises or lowers the end of the slat 7, and this at the rate of three times per wheel revolution, in the case of the axis according to Figure 1. deflections thus produced cause a decrease or an increase in resistance of the strain gauge 8 traversed by a mild electrical current, creating a voltage variation measured and transmitted by the transmitting circuit 3 to the external receiver. The latter, which is advantageously connected, in known manner, to a chart recorder, allows to make a graph showing the bending of the slat 7, the décriptage of these deflections for deriving the number of revolutions of the wheel 5 and its direction of rotation, the distance traveled by the module and the rate or the variation in the growth rate.

After powering up the transmitter circuit 3 through the source 4, the module is placed in the patient's stomach via a tube or swallowed and crossed the pylorus after a period of time. The crossing of the pylorus is detectable by monitoring the rotation of the gear 5, which, after being disorderly, become consistent and show an increase of the module into the intestinal lumen. For example, the recording of signals from the circuit 3 may be performed for about ten hours, and the module is recovered in the faeces after a few days. This module is reusable after total cleaning and replacement of the source 4.

Exploration through the module according to Figures 1 and 2 allows to know, firstly, the terms of the progression of the module in the digestive tract in normal and pathological cases and to better identify motor problems of the intestine, on the other hand, the length of the gut, short gut that could be responsible for a number of physiological disorders, and finally the drug effect on intestinal motility.

3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the module is further provided, a suction cap 9 detachably attached on one of its ends by means of a 10-wire secured at its ends with the body of the capsule 1 one end of wire 10 therethrough, further comprising a breaking device of the wire 10, mechanical or chemical or a microfurnace connected to the source 11 4 and actuated by a magnetic contactor 12 whose control is effected by means of an external magnetic field.

The suction capsule 9 is in the form of a cylindrical body or ogive provided with a movable jacket 9 and a fixed base 14, the housing 9 being displaceable under the load of a spring 15 mounted in the capsule or envelope 9, the fixed head 14 having an annular gap 13 with the capsule shell 9 ensuring the filling of the latter by suction, the internal diameter of this capsule 9 being such that it fits onto the capsule 1 by compression the spring 15 from the bottom 14 for fastening through the wire 10. Thus, after ingestion, when the module has reached the desired area, just create a magnetic field to close the contactor 12 that puts the power microfurnace 11 , the latter causing the breakage of the wire 10 by fusion. 9 The capsule is then automatically dropped as a result of the thrust of the spring 15 on the fixed bottom 14, this push simultaneously causing a suction effect through the annular gap 13 of the fixed bottom 14, the arrival at the end of race 9 capsule from the bottom 14 hermetically sealing the capsule 9 and preventing leakage of the liquid collected. The latter can then be subjected to enzymatic studies or other analyzes.

In accordance with one of the invention embodiment, the capsule 9 is provided with a filling orifice provided with a nonreturn valve or a sealing device of said orifice, the fixed base being guided with sealing in the capsule 9.

According to another characteristic of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawing, the module may be provided in the capsule 1 one or more compartments each provided with a valve which control the opening and closing is effected by remote control, or mechanically by means of independent, preset time delay circuits or by means of pistons opening and closing filling ports or evacuation. Such embodiment also allows for sampling for analysis, but also to file, if necessary, a pharmaceutical drug or another drug in a specific point of the digestive tract.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the module may be provided, in addition, temperature sensors, pH, pressure, and electrodes or other detectors electrically connected to the circuit 3. Such sensors allow recording continuously a number of variables at different levels of the digestive tract, in particular intraluminal pressure, the electrical activity of intestinal muscles, circular contractions, or any other parameter.

According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, and as shown in Figure 4, the capsule 1 may advantageously be constituted by subassemblies assembled detachably at their ends, each sub-assembly containing some of the constituent elements a module to know the means 2, the circuit 3 the power source 4, and others, the electrical connection between the sub-assemblies being made by means of contact pads.

According to a feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the releasable connection between the sub-assemblies forming the capsule 1 is produced by means of resorbable wire holding the sub-assemblies together. Thus, it is possible to achieve an unmanageable module whose aggressiveness to the digestive tract after saving settings, is lessened, particularly the risk of blockage.

The module according to the invention, allows to simultaneously provide more information on the gastrointestinal tract, ie, besides the length of the small intestine, the rate of progression of a strong and terms of progression thereof. So it has been demonstrated, conclusively anti-peristaltic intestinal movements, which are especially common in the jejunum and ileum, this in particular thanks to the precision of the direction of rotation of the wheel 5 of the module.

It has also shown that the administration of certain tranquilizers may slow very significantly the hail transit, while other substances cause rapid progression of the module with very high acceleration. The invention is therefore particularly advantageous in the pharmaceutical industry for drug efficacy testing.

In addition, the use of the suction capsule 9 provide for the taking of digestive juice at specific levels, for example the jejunum or the ileum, allows the study of the action of these juices on a particular nutrient.

Finally, the module of the invention to administer drugs in a more scientific way, that is to say taking into account both biological rhythms and interference on the digestive plan a number of factors, such as pH or enzymatic phenomena. Thus, a drug can be released at a definite level of the small intestine where its action will be most favorable.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, especially from the viewpoint of the constitution of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of the invention.