An ingestible, battery-free, tissue-adhering robotic interface for non-invasive and chronic electrostimulation of the gut

Kewang Nan (), Kiwan Wong, Dengfeng Li, Binbin Ying, James C. McRae, Vivian R. Feig, Shubing Wang, Ningjie Du, Yuelong Liang, Qijiang Mao, Enjie Zhou, Yonglin Chen, Lei Sang, Kuanming Yao, Jingkun Zhou, Jian Li, Joshua Jenkins, Keiko Ishida, Johannes Kuosmanen, Wiam Abdalla Mohammed Madani, Alison Hayward, Khalil B. Ramadi, Xinge Yu () and Giovanni Traverso ()
Additional contact information
Kewang Nan: Zhejiang University
Kiwan Wong: Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Dengfeng Li: City University of Hong Kong
Binbin Ying: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
James C. McRae: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Vivian R. Feig: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Shubing Wang: Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Ningjie Du: Zhejiang University
Yuelong Liang: Zhejiang University
Qijiang Mao: Zhejiang University
Enjie Zhou: Zhejiang University
Yonglin Chen: Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Lei Sang: Hefei University of Technology
Kuanming Yao: City University of Hong Kong
Jingkun Zhou: City University of Hong Kong
Jian Li: City University of Hong Kong
Joshua Jenkins: Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Keiko Ishida: Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Johannes Kuosmanen: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Wiam Abdalla Mohammed Madani: Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Alison Hayward: Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Khalil B. Ramadi: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Xinge Yu: City University of Hong Kong
Giovanni Traverso: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Ingestible electronics have the capacity to transform our ability to effectively diagnose and potentially treat a broad set of conditions. Current applications could be significantly enhanced by addressing poor electrode-tissue contact, lack of navigation, short dwell time, and limited battery life. Here we report the development of an ingestible, battery-free, and tissue-adhering robotic interface (IngRI) for non-invasive and chronic electrostimulation of the gut, which addresses challenges associated with contact, navigation, retention, and powering (C-N-R-P) faced by existing ingestibles. We show that near-field inductive coupling operating near 13.56 MHz was sufficient to power and modulate the IngRI to deliver therapeutically relevant electrostimulation, which can be further enhanced by a bio-inspired, hydrogel-enabled adhesive interface. In swine models, we demonstrated the electrical interaction of IngRI with the gastric mucosa by recording conductive signaling from the subcutaneous space. We further observed changes in plasma ghrelin levels, the “hunger hormone,” while IngRI was activated in vivo, demonstrating its clinical potential in regulating appetite and treating other endocrine conditions. The results of this study suggest that concepts inspired by soft and wireless skin-interfacing electronic devices can be applied to ingestible electronics with potential clinical applications for evaluating and treating gastrointestinal conditions.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51102-5

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