Miguel A Jimenez

US Patent:

20220378363, Dec 1, 2022

Filed:

Apr 26, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/730075

Inventors:

- Cambridge MA, US
- Boston MA, US
Jenna Ahn - Stanford CA, US
Maria Eugenia Inda - Cambridge MA, US
Miguel Jimenez - Malden MA, US
Qijun Liu - Allston MA, US
Phillip Nadeau - Cambridge MA, US
Christoph Winfried Johannes Steiger - Berlin, DE
Adam Wentworth - East Boston MA, US

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA
Trustees of Boston University - Boston MA
The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. - Boston MA

International Classification:

A61B 5/00
C12Q 1/6897
A61B 5/145
A61B 5/1459

Abstract:

Transient molecules in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, such as nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide, are important signals and mediators of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because these molecules may be short-lived in the body, they are difficult to detect. To track these reactive molecules in the GI tract, a miniaturized device has been developed that integrates genetically engineered probiotic biosensors with a custom-designed photodetector and readout chip. Leveraging the molecular specificity of living sensors, bacteria were genetically encoded to respond to IBD-associated molecules by luminescing. Low-power electronic readout circuits (e.g., using nanowatt power) integrated into the device convert the light from just 1 μL of bacterial culture into a wireless signal. Biosensor monitoring was demonstrated in the GI tract of small and large animal models and integration of all components into a sub-1.4 cmingestible form factor capable of supporting wireless communication. The wireless detection of short-lived, disease-associated molecules may support earlier diagnosis of disease than is currently possible, more accurate tracking of disease progression, and more timely communication between patient and their care team supporting remote personalized care.