Image

“Smart” Capsule Could Deliver Drugs to the Large Intestine

Sept. 3, 2015
Purdue researchers developed and received a provisional U.S. patent on a capsule that delivers drugs into the GI tract when activated by an external magnet worn by the patient.
Purdue researchers developed and received a provisional U.S. patent on a capsule that delivers drugs into the GI tract when activated by an external magnet worn by the patient.

When a patient takes medicine, it is usually absorbed in the stomach and small intestine before making it into the large intestine. This makes it difficult to treat illnesses originating in the large intestine, such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowels syndrome. To deliver drugs to the large intestine, researchers at Purdue University developed a “smart” capsule roughly the size of a 000-size gel capsule.

The capsule contains two sealed compartments, one that holds powdered drugs and one that contains electronic controls. A capacitor inside the capsule powers the electronics and gets charged before the capsule is given to the patient. As the capsule makes its way to the large intestines, a 12-hour trip, it comes close to the patient’s waist as well as a magnet worn on the patient’s belt. The magnet activates a switch that releases a spring-loaded door and the drug is released. If the timing is right, the drug should be released just before the capsule reaches the ileocecal valve, where the small and large intestines meet.

To test the prototype, engineers sent it through a fluidic model that mimics the gastrointestinal tract. The model recreates the GI tract’s changing acidity and peristalsis, the constriction and relaxation of the intestine's muscles that create wavelike movements and push things along.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 27, 2025
Ensure workplace safety and compliance with our comprehensive Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Safety Training course. Learn critical procedures to prevent serious injuries.
June 27, 2025
Join our expert webinar to discover essential safety control measures and best practices for engineering a truly safe and compliant industrial environment.
June 25, 2025
An innovative aircraft with electric drives combines the best of both worlds. The cross between drone and helicopter could mean significantly faster and more efficient air emergency...
June 25, 2025
Effective when other materials fail, ceramics are particularly suitable for applications requiring wear and chemical resistance, sliding characteristics or biocompatibility. Discover...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!