Title :
A Smart Capsule With GI-Tract-Location-Specific Payload Release
Author :
Wuyang Yu ; Rahimi, Rahim ; Ochoa, Manuel ; Pinal, Rodolfo ; Ziaie, Babak
Author_Institution :
Birck Nanotechnol. Center, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN, USA
Abstract :
In this paper, we present a smart capsule for location-specific drug release in the gastrointestinal tract. Once activated through a magnetic proximity fuse, the capsule opens up and releases its powdered payload in a location specified by an implanted miniature magnetic marker or an externally worn larger magnet. The capsule (9 mm × 26 mm) comprises of two compartments: one contains a charged capacitor and a reed switch, while the second one houses the drug reservoir capped by a taut nylon thread intertwined with a nichrome wire. The nichrome wire is connected to the capacitor through the reed switch. The capacitor is charged to 2.7 V before ingestion and once within the proximity of the permanent magnet; the reed switch closes, discharging the capacitor through the nichrome wire, melting the nylon thread, detaching the cap, and emptying the drug reservoir.
Keywords :
biomedical equipment; capacitors; drug delivery systems; drugs; intelligent actuators; magnetic actuators; permanent magnets; GI-tract-location-specific payload release; charged capacitor; drug reservoir; externally worn larger magnet; gastrointestinal tract; implanted miniature magnetic marker; location-specific drug release; magnetic proximity fuse; nichrome wire; permanent magnet; powdered payload; reed switch; smart capsule; taut nylon thread; Capacitors; Drugs; Intestines; Magnetic separation; Reservoirs; Switches; Wires; Drug absorption study; Drug delivery; Magnetic actuation; Smart capsule; drug delivery; magnetic actuation; smart capsule;
Journal_Title :
Biomedical Engineering, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TBME.2015.2418340