EndoPil: A Magnetically Actuated Swallowable Capsule for Weight Management: Development and Trials.

EndoPil: A Magnetically Actuated Swallowable Capsule for Weight Management: Development and Trials. Ann Biomed Eng. 2020 Nov 19;: Authors: Phan PT, Tiong AMH, Miyasaka M, Cao L, Kaan HL, Ho KY, Phee SJ Abstract Intragastric balloons (IGBs), by occupying the stomach space and prolonging satiety, is a promising method to treat obesity and consequently improves its associated comorbidities, e.g. coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. However, existing IGBs are often tethered with tubes for gas or liquid delivery or require endoscopic assistance for device delivery or removal, which are usually uncomfortable, costly, and may cause complications. This paper presents a novel tetherless, magnetically actuated capsule (EndoPil) which can deploy an IGB inside the stomach after being swallowed and being activated by an external magnet. The external magnet attracts a small magnet inside the EndoPil to open a valve, triggering the chemical reaction of citric acid and potassium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide gas, which inflates a biocompatible balloon (around 120 mL). A prototype, 13 mm in diameter and 35 mm in length, was developed. Simulations and bench-top tests were conducted to test the force capability of the magnetic actuation mechanism, the required force to activate the valve, and the repeatability of balloon inflation. Experiments on animal and human were successfully conducted to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of ...
Source: Annals of Biomedical Engineering - Category: Biomedical Engineering Authors: Tags: Ann Biomed Eng Source Type: research