An apparatus comprises a diffuser, a connection tube section forming a tubular fluid passage, a first indicating element section that indicates a measurement related to a body fluid disposed between a distal end and the connection tube section, a second indicating element section that indicates that the first indicating element section is suitable for use, and a housing having a generally tubular body. The diffuser is at least partially disposed in the generally tubular body. A fluid chamber adapted to receive fluid is cooperatively defined by the housing and the diffuser. The first indicating element section is visibly disposed in a first section of the housing. The second indicating element section is disposed within the fluid chamber. A micro-needle collector to draw the fluid from a source to the distal end is attachable to the distal end.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a liquid collector that collects liquid, the liquid collector including: a flow passage member including a flow passage that connects one end and other end of the flow passage member; a contact member that is disposed at the one end of the flow passage member, that includes an elastic material, and that is configured to come into contact with a target from which liquid is to be collected; and a container that receives the liquid discharged from the flow passage at the other end of the flow passage member.

The present disclosure relates to methods of collecting and testing bacteria containing samples from within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject. The methods may include disposing an ingestible device in the GI tract, collecting a bacteria-containing sample from the GI tract, selectively lysing eukaryotic cells in the sample by combining the sample with a dried reagent, exposing bacteria in the sample to resazurin in the ingestible device to produce resorufin, emitting light from the ingestible device, the emitted light being filtered through an optical filter to control for scatter so that the light interacts with the resorufin to produce fluorescence, and measuring a total fluorescence from the resorufin; or a rate of change of fluorescence from the resorufin as a function of time within the GI tract of the subject; and correlating the measured parameter to a number of viable bacterial cells in the sample.

Provided herein are methods and a device for collecting biological samples. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a device designed to specifically capture samples within the target areas of a patient for specific cell collection for particular diagnosis.

Provided herein are methods and a device for collecting biological samples from a subject. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a device designed to specifically capture samples within the target areas of a patient for specific cell collection for particular diagnosis.

Passive devices for non-invasive gastrointestinal (GI) sampling are disclosed. In some embodiments, a device includes a capsule housing containing an absorbent sampling hydrogel. The capsule may be ingested by a patient and subsequently travel through the GI tract. Once the capsule reaches a desired location in the GI tract, GI fluid may flow into the capsule through a sampling aperture of the capsule. The fluid may be absorbed by and stored within the sampling hydrogel for subsequent analysis, and the absorption of the fluid may cause the sampling hydrogel to expand within the capsule. The capsule may further include a sealing member positioned between the sampling hydrogel and the sampling aperture, and the expansion of the sampling hydrogel may press the sealing member against the sampling aperture to seal the capsule.

A catheter for isolating a region in a hollow organ of a mammal, having an elongate body designed to be inserted into a lumen of a mammal hollow organ and equipped with two balloons, the balloons being configured to be inflated to isolate an interior of the hollow organ therebetween; wherein a functional channel extending in the body has a functional opening provided in the body between the balloons; and wherein the functional channel is designed to allow a negative pressure to be produced in the isolated interior to take a biological fluid or biological gaseous medium therefrom or to allow a liquid or gaseous medium to be supplied to the isolated interior; and wherein another channel extending in the body is provided at opposite ends with an inlet and an outlet provided both in the body outside of the body part defined by the balloons.

This disclosure features methods and compositions for treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with an IL-12/IL-23 inhibitor.

This disclosure features methods and compositions for treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with IL-10 or an IL-10 agonist.

An ingestible apparatus for collecting samples from a target area of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject and/or for delivering a health-related substance thereto. An example ingestible apparatus includes a housing defining a sample compartment, a stopper configured to seal an access port, and an actuation assembly connected to the stopper. The actuation assembly is movable between a first working position where the access port is open and a second working position where the access port is sealed with the stopper. The apparatus also includes a dissolvable block configured to prevent the actuation assembly from moving between the first and second working positions until the apparatus is within a target area of the GI tract. The actuation assembly is configured, in the second working position, to apply a linear force at an interface between the stopper and a sealing surface to seal the access port with the stopper.