Advanced ingestibles for probing the nexus between gastrointestinal functions and physical/mental well-being in animals and humans

Introduction

Expanding on the “eHONESTY” ERC project about the link between body and moral decisions, the DeepDive PoC proposal aims to explore the neglected role of deep-body signals in modulating physical and mental health in humans and animals through the radically new approach of using ingestibles for mapping gastrointestinal (GI) physiology.

Market Gap

Crucially, although the market of ingestible devices is burgeoning, none of the existing products has the features needed for probing the link between GI dysfunctions and physical/mental well-being in humans and animals.

Project Objectives

To fill this outstanding gap, the DeepDive project aims to:

1. Develop and test a class of ingestibles that can capture physiological signals from different tracts of the GI system (e.g., stomach, small/large intestine).
2. Measure signals like endoluminal pH, pressure, and temperature with unprecedented accuracy and precision.
3. Add causation to correlation by recording the GI neurons' activity before and after their electrical perturbation.

Ingestible Design

The inert capsules will be produced by:

• Assembling specific components created using 3D printing.
• Integrating a number of microscopic components ranging from solid-state pH, temperature, and pressure sensors to A/D–D/A Microconverter and RF Radio 2.4 GHz, in a sub-centimetric space.

Testing Methodology

GI functions at rest and in conditions of social stress will be tested in piglets using the new ingestible and in humans using commercial pills.

Regulatory Steps

All the steps towards patenting and obtaining permission for use in humans of the novel ingestible will be taken, and existing contacts with industrial partners and biomedical devices approval offices will be strengthened.

Expected Benefits

Given the link of gastroenterology with physical/mental dysfunctions and human/animal well-being, the project will have significant benefits at:

• Neuroscientific levels
• Medical levels
• Societal levels

Economic Implications

Moreover, since the global market of ingestible sensors is expected to exceed $14 billion by 2026, DeepDive will likely have key economic implications.