Screw-Based Pill for Intelligent Robotic Extraction of Viscous Fluids in Medical Applications

Abstract

Smart capsules are promising tools for minimally invasive sampling. However, existing designs rely on passive diffusion, which is ineffective for viscous samples such as mucus. To address this limitation, we present screw-based pill for intelligent robotic extraction (S-PIRE), designed for active sampling of viscous materials. S-PIRE features a motorized 3D-printed hydrodynamic screw, remotely activated via a Bluetooth microcontroller. Its magnetic actuation system ensures controlled positioning, while its integrated 3-axis Hall Effect magnetic sensor provides spatial localization. S-PIRE is magnetically guided for collecting viscous samples in vitro to demonstrate its sampling mechanism. Samples are securely stored in a detachable, disposable chamber for analysis. This proof of concept demonstrates S-PIRE potential for in vivo applications, offering a precise, minimally invasive approach for future targeted mucus sampling from difficult-to-reach regions of the body like the gastrointestinal tract, which could aid in early disease detection and biomarker discovery.