A wireless semi-wearable sensor for assessment of gut function in low-resource settings
File(s)
Author(s)
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is a subclinical disorder of intestinal function common in tropical countries and settings of poverty and economic disadvantage. EED manifests during infancy and is associated with undernutrition, poor sanitation, and gut infections. EED is characterised by inflammation, reduced absorptive capacity, and reduced barrier function (i.e., increased permeability) in the small intestine. The precise mechanisms underlying changes in gut barrier function (and other aspects of intestinal function) in EED remain elusive. Furthermore, current diagnostic methods to assess gut permeability (e.g., endoscopic biopsies or permeability assays such as the Lactulose:Mannitol test) are invasive, unreliable and/or challenging to perform in infants and patients with other coexisting urological conditions. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop diagnostic technologies that can non-invasively and affordably monitor intestinal permeability in low-resource settings where EED is prevalent.
To address this need, we present a prototype semi-wearable, wireless sensor for non-invasive assessment of intestinal permeability via transcutaneous fluorescence spectroscopy. The approach relies on the ingestion of a fluorescent contrast agent (fluorescein) and the subsequent detection of its permeation from the gut into the bloodstream using a wearable probe. We outline the development of the semi-wearable sensor and report preliminary in vivo deployment. This showcases the potential of transcutaneous fluorescence spectroscopy as a wearable and non-invasive diagnostic tool for assessing gut function in low-resource settings.
To address this need, we present a prototype semi-wearable, wireless sensor for non-invasive assessment of intestinal permeability via transcutaneous fluorescence spectroscopy. The approach relies on the ingestion of a fluorescent contrast agent (fluorescein) and the subsequent detection of its permeation from the gut into the bloodstream using a wearable probe. We outline the development of the semi-wearable sensor and report preliminary in vivo deployment. This showcases the potential of transcutaneous fluorescence spectroscopy as a wearable and non-invasive diagnostic tool for assessing gut function in low-resource settings.
Editor(s)
Levitz, David
Ozcan, Aydogan
Date Issued
2024-03-13
Date Acceptance
2024-01-27
Citation
Optics and Biophotonics in Low-Resource Settings X, 2024, 12832
Publisher
SPIE
Journal / Book Title
Optics and Biophotonics in Low-Resource Settings X
Volume
12832
Copyright Statement
© 2024 SPIE Mandal, Nilanjan, et al. "A wireless semi-wearable sensor for assessment of gut function in low-resource settings." Optics and Biophotonics in Low-Resource Settings X. Vol. 12832. SPIE, 2024.
Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.3002394
Source
Optics and Biophotonics in Low-Resource Settings X
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2024-01-27
Finish Date
2024-02-01
Coverage Spatial
San Francisco, California, United States
Date Publish Online
2024-03-12