Abstract:
Systems, kits and methods are provided, which analyze the large intestine content and utilize acoustic signals detected during delivery of water into the large intestine and drained large intestine contents to derive large intestine characteristics such as microbiotal analysis. Systems may include a water delivery unit including a water supply and a nozzle connected thereto, configured to introduce water controllably into a patient's large intestine, and an analysis unit that provides information about the drained contents using optical examination or biological assays. The information may be related to acoustic analysis of signals from acoustic sensors that are attachable to a patient's abdomen. A variety of sensor configurations, positioning options, analysis strategies and large intestine characteristics are presented.
Abstract:
Sampling systems and methods for non-invasive analysis and sampling of inner-colonic microbiome and its potential derivatives are provided. Methods may relate portions of the drained contents to respective sections of the large intestine (including the ascending portion), during and/or after the draining and according to the time of drainage of the portions and optically-monitored (and possibly spectrally analyzed) characteristics of the drained content, and derive microbiome characteristics of the large intestine sections by analyzing the corresponding portions of the drained contents. An electromechanical sampling device may comprise a collection unit configured to collect s ample (s) from the contents, and an electromechanical robotic unit configured to move the collection unit to and from a sampling position and to manipulate the collection unit into a respective casing, to deposit the sample(s).