IIT Delhi–AIIMS Develops Swallowable Microdevice for Direct Small Intestine Sampling

The study marks a significant advance in digestive disease research, where direct access to the small intestine has remained challenging.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi have developed and successfully tested a swallowable microdevice capable of collecting microbiome samples directly from the small intestine, addressing a long-standing limitation in gut health diagnostics.

The pill-sized device, designed to be swallowed like a capsule, enables site-specific sampling of the upper gastrointestinal tract without the need for invasive procedures such as endoscopy.

The study marks a significant advance in digestive disease research, where direct access to the small intestine has remained challenging.

Current diagnostic approaches rely heavily on stool samples, which offer only indirect insights into the microbiome of the upper gut, or invasive procedures that are resource-intensive and uncomfortable for patients. The newly developed microdevice is designed to overcome these constraints by autonomously collecting intestinal samples as it passes through the digestive system.

The ICMR-funded device was tested in Sprague–Dawley rats, where it demonstrated consistent performance. After being swallowed, the capsule travels through the stomach and into the intestine, where it collects fluid samples before exiting the body naturally. The process does not require surgery and causes no tissue injury.

Measuring 7 mm by 2.7 mm, approximately the size of a grain of rice, the device is encased in an enteric-coated gelatin shell that protects it from stomach acid. Once it reaches the intestine, the higher pH environment dissolves the coating, allowing intestinal fluid to enter the device. A specialized hydrogel then expands to seal the inlet, preventing contamination as the capsule moves through the lower gastrointestinal tract.

Researchers reported successful retrieval of sufficient genetic material for microbial analysis in four out of five test subjects. Using nanopore sequencing, the team was able to identify gut microbes down to the species level, demonstrating the device’s ability to support high-resolution microbiome analysis.

In addition to microbial DNA, the microdevice also detected intestinal alkaline phosphatase, a biochemical marker associated with gut health. This dual capability allows simultaneous assessment of microbial composition and chemical biomarkers within the small intestine.

According to the researchers, direct sampling from the small intestine could support earlier detection of gastrointestinal disorders and enable more targeted therapeutic approaches. While the findings are currently limited to animal studies, the results establish a proof of concept for future human clinical trials.

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