Development and Testing of a Magnetically Actuated Capsule Endoscopy for Obesity Treatment

Abstract

Intra-gastric balloons (IGB) have become an efficient and less invasive method for obesity treatment. The use of traditional IGBs require complex insertion tools and flexible endoscopes to place and remove the balloon inside the patient’s stomach, which may cause discomfort and complications to the patient. This paper introduces a new ingestible weight-loss capsule with a magnetically remote-controlled inflatable and deflatable balloon. To inflate the balloon, biocompatible effervescent chemicals are used. As the source of the actuation is provided via external magnetic fields, the magnetic capsule size can be significantly reduced compared to current weight-loss capsules in the literature. In addition, there are no limitations on the power supply. To lose weight, the obese subject needs only to swallow the magnetic capsule with a glass of water. Once the magnetic capsule has reached the patient’s stomach, the balloon will be wirelessly inflated to occupy gastric space and give the feeling of satiety. The balloon can be wirelessly deflated at any time to allow the magnetic capsule to travel down the intestine and exit the body via normal peristalsis. The optimal ratio between the acid and base to provide the desired gas volume is experimentally evaluated and presented. A prototype capsule (9.6mm x 27mm) is developed and experimentally validated in ex-vivo experiments. The unique ease of delivery and expulsion of the proposed magnetic capsule is slated to make this development a good treatment option for people seeking to lose excess weight.

A Magnetic Soft Endoscopic Capsule-Inflated Intragastric Balloon for Weight Management

“…The detailed descriptions for selecting biocompatible acid and base as well as their optimal ratios were given in ref. 24. There are four main stages for the capsule usage as shown in Fig.…”

“…In our previous approach24, the capsule was designed with two internal magnetic mechanisms for the inflation and deflation phases. In addition, the capsule shell is not chemical resistant in acidic environment and rigid.…”

“…The CO 2 gas which is generated by a reaction between citric acid 60% and potassium bicarbonate is used to inflate the outer balloon24. To create the chemical reaction, the inflation valve 11 must be opened.…”

“…Using remote magnetic control actuation, magnetically-driven micro devices, capsules, and drug delivery devices have been widely studied in the literature151617181920212223. Do et al 2425…”

Magnetically guided capsule endoscopy

“…176,178 Another therapeutic capsule for obesity and weight loss management was reported in Ref. 179. The authors propose the use of a magnetically triggered release of an intra-gastric balloon from the capsule to combat obesity in patients.…”