A non-invasive method for gastrointestinal parameter monitoring.
OBJECTIVE
To propose a new, non-invasive method for monitoring 24-h pressure, temperature and pH value in gastrointestinal tract.


METHODS
The authors developed a miniature, multi-functional gastrointestinal monitoring system, which comprises a set of indigestible biotelemetry capsules and a data recorder. The capsule, after ingested by patients, could measure pressure, temperature and pH value in the gastrointestinal tract and transmit the data to the data recorder outside the body through a 434 MHz radio frequency data link. After the capsule passed out from the body, the data saved in the recorder were downloaded to a workstation via a special software for further analysis and comparison.


RESULTS
Clinical experiments showed that the biotelemetry capsules could be swallowed by volunteers without any difficulties. The data recorder could receive the radio frequency signals transmitted by the biotelemetry in the body. The biotelemetry capsule could pass out from the body without difficulties. No discomfort was reported by any volunteer during the experiment. In vivo pressure and temperature data were acquired.


CONCLUSIONS
A non-invasive method for monitoring 24-h gastrointestinal parameters was proposed and tested by the authors. The feasibility and functionality of this method are verified by laboratory tests and clinical experiments.
Wang
Wen-Xing
WX
Institute of Precision Engineering and Intelligent Microsystem, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China.
Yan
Guo-Zheng
GZ
Sun
Fang
F
Jiang
Ping-Ping
PP
Zhang
Wen-Qiang
WQ
Zhang
Gen-Fu
GF
D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D002214:Capsules; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011312:Pressure; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods
D002214:Capsules