Wireless, Miniaturized Sensing Platforms for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

­LUNU 2023-223

INVENTORS
John Rogers* 
Arun Sharma*
Surabhi Madhvapathy
Matthew Bury

SHORT DESCRIPTION
Miniaturized, implantable temperature sensors for real-time, minimally invasive monitoring of inflammatory bowel diseases.

BACKGROUND
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affects over 10 million people worldwide, with incidence rates increasing globally. In the U.S. alone, approximately 3.1 million adults suffer from IBD, necessitating ongoing monitoring to optimize disease management and prevent complications. Current diagnostic and monitoring options include serology, biopsies, endoscopy, and imaging. These intermittent tests cannot quickly identify sudden onsets and severe flare-ups, which require early intervention for the prevention of irreversible tissue damage. Consequently, about 70% of patients with Crohn’s disease require surgical intestinal resections in their lifetime. There is a need for continuous, real-time monitoring to improve IBD management and reduce patient morbidity.

ABSTRACT
Investigators at Lurie Children’s and Northwestern University have developed wireless, implantable sensors designed for continuous monitoring of intestinal inflammation. The device is comprised of a miniaturized temperature sensor, a microcontroller for data transmission, and an elastomeric encapsulation for biocompatibility. It is implanted intraperitoneally and held in place against abdominal muscular tissue via sutures. Validated in an ileitis mouse model, these sensors detected thermal ultradian rhythms that correlated with fluctuations in stress hormones and inflammatory cytokines. The sensors provide non-invasive, real-time monitoring that enables early detection and mitigation of chronic disease progression. Overall, this technology introduces a significant advancement in the management of IBD.

APPLICATIONS

• Diagnosis, monitoring, early intervention, and overall management of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
• Personalized medicine and tailored treatment strategies based on continuous monitoring data.
• Integration into telehealth services for long-term disease management and remote patient monitoring.
• Studies and trials focused on chronic intestinal inflammation and related conditions.

 ADVANTAGES

• Continuous monitoring can identify IBD flare-ups and progressions in real time and prevent irreversible tissue damage that requires surgical resections.
• High accuracy and sensitivity in detecting temperature variations associated with inflammatory changes.
• Could replace the frequent intermittent tests that are inconvenient and costly for the patient.

PUBLICATION
John Rogers, et al. (2024). Nature Biomedical Engineering, 1-13. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-024-01183-w

IP STATUS 
A PCT patent application has been filed.