Swallowable capsule for obtaining a fluid sample from the GI tract of a subject

A swallowable capsule configured to obtain fluid samples from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject comprising:

• an outer shell enclosing an interior space;
• the outer shell having a shell opening serving as an inlet port that allows a fluid sample to enter into the swallowable capsule;
• a sampling chamber which may hold one or more samples obtained from the GI tract;
• a piston which is moveably arranged in the interior space in a forward direction;
• a pressure generating device operably disposed on one side of the piston, the pressure generating device configured to build up pressure on one side of the piston to propel the piston in the interior space at least from an open position allowing fluid from outside the swallowable capsule to enter into the swallowable capsule to a closed position, in which fluid exterior to the swallowable capsule is prevented from entering into the swallowable capsule;
• the piston including a main body and an extension extending away from the main body, the extension providing at least a first seal portion and a piston opening defined therein,
• wherein the first seal portion is configured to close the shell opening in a first position of the piston thereby preventing fluid exterior to the swallowable capsule from entering into the capsule,
• wherein the piston opening is configured to align with the shell opening in a second position of the piston thereby allowing fluid from outside the swallowable capsule to enter into the capsule,
• the piston further including a second seal portion configured to close the shell opening in a third position of the piston thereby preventing fluid exterior to the swallowable capsule from entering into the capsule;
• and
• a control unit configured to control the pressure generating device so as to move the piston in the forward direction from the first position to the second position and then from the second position to the third position.