Ingestible transiently anchoring electronics for microstimulation and conductive signaling.

Alex Abramson,Robert Langer,Niclas Roxhed,Giovanni Traverso,Jianlin Zhou,Rebecca Mcmanus,David Dellal,Joy Collins,Brian Jensen,Morten Revsgaard Frederiksen,Yuan Gao,Jacob Wainer,Siddartha Tamang,Jorrit J Water,Alison Hayward,Yong Lin Kong

doi:10.1126/sciadv.aaz0127

Abstract

Ingestible electronic devices enable noninvasive evaluation and diagnosis of pathologies in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract but generally cannot therapeutically interact with the tissue wall. Here, we report the development of an orally administered electrical stimulation device characterized in ex vivo human tissue and in in vivo swine models, which transiently anchored itself to the stomach by autonomously inserting electrically conductive, hooked probes. The probes provided stimulation to the tissue via timed electrical pulses that could be used as a treatment for gastric motility disorders. To demonstrate interaction with stomach muscle tissue, we used the electrical stimulation to induce acute muscular contractions. Pulses conductively signaled the probes' successful anchoring and detachment events to a parenterally placed device. The ability to anchor into and electrically interact with targeted GI tissues controlled by the enteric nervous system introduces opportunities to treat a multitude of associated pathologies.

Highlights

Neural circuits present in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract directly connect with vagal and spinal neurons [1, 2], and the enteric nervous system is increasingly being recognized for its role in a broad set of pathologies
In vivo swine studies demonstrated that devices inserted an array of hooked 32-gauge needles into the gastric submucosa, resisted gastric forces in the fasted state, provided electrical stimulation pulses to the tissue, and allowed the devices to remain attached to the tissue for several hours
The STIMS system generally landed in the lower curvature of the stomach due to gravitational forces, the same location at which the gastric pacemaker leads are implanted

Summary

Introduction

Neural circuits present in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract directly connect with vagal and spinal neurons [1, 2], and the enteric nervous system is increasingly being recognized for its role in a broad set of pathologies. These go well beyond GI disorders [3], including links to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Hirschsprung’s, and Parkinson’s [4,5,6]. Electrical impulse treatments have traditionally required invasive procedures to accurately implant devices and direct current to precise locations. Presents cost barriers and safety implications not present with orally administered therapies

Methods

Results

Conclusion