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Ingestible gastric-resident electronic metamaterials architecture (iGEM) for the treatment of obesity

Award Number: R01EB032959
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2026

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Ingestible gastric-resident electronic metamaterials architecture (iGEM) for the treatment of obesity - Project Summary Obesity affects more than 1.4 billion adults worldwide and is a significant risk factor for chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Present non-operative treatment options of obesity are woefully inadequate. Bariatric surgery is effective but invasive, costly, and associated with significant morbidity. Intragastric balloons (IGB) have been demonstrated to be effective in enabling temporary weight loss (~25-30% of excess body weight), allowing the improvement of metabolic parameters. However, IGB is a passive mechanical construct that cannot be monitored or controlled upon insertion and require endoscopy delivery. These fundamental attributes limit the reach of IGB to very selected patients as a temporary treatment or as a bridging intervention to bariatric surgery despite its effectiveness. The proposed research will overcome the fundamental limitations of IGB by creating an ingestible gastric-resident electronic-enhanced metamaterial architecture (iGEM). In stark contrast to the current strategies, iGEM can transform obesity treatment with a digital-based personalized and dynamic treatment strategy. iGEM allows the dynamic tuning of gastric restrictive effect, which can be optimized based on safety consideration, patient’s treatment goals, and the quality of life desired. For example, feedback-based control of the device distension can prevent excessive pressure point or over-inflation that may lead to ulcer formation; or to avoid intestinal obstruction due to premature disintegration. The ability to adjust gastric restrictive pressure can enhance treatment effectiveness to account for gastric accommodation. The ability to acquire sensing data can help elucidate the complex relationship between the restrictive effect of intragastric devices and treatment effectiveness. This research leverages Kong’s expertise in creating entirely 3D printable electronics and ingestible electronics, (2) Wang’s (Ph.D.) expertise in meta- materials design, and (3) Fang’s (M.D.) extensive clinical and clinical research experience in IGB usage and intragastric devices. Specifically, we will (1) develop wireless resonant-enhanced 3D printable gastric pressure sensors with a hybrid core-shell printing methodology that allow the integration of pressure sensors on a wide range of intragastric systems; (2) develop wirelessly triggered transformable active metamaterials architecture that is capable of achieving wirelessly triggered reversible structural reconfiguration, allowing the oral ingestion of the device, dynamic control of expansion to tailor gastric restriction effect and the safe excretion of the device without risk of intestinal obstruction; (3) develop and evaluate iGEM longitudinal wireless pressure sensing and triggerable volume control capability that can sustain the complex and dynamic gastric environment for a prolonged period of time (30 days). Upon completion of the proposed research, the foundation established by this proposed work is also applicable to include a wide range of inductance/capacitance-based sensors (temperature, biochemical, bacterial), as well as various ingestible or implantable systems such as stents, enabling multivariate longitudinal sensing and unprecedented control.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $330,802 )
2025	2025	WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY	6100 MAIN ST	HOUSTON	TX	77005	HARRIS	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	005	5	5/27/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$336,898
2025	2024	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 PRESIDENTS CIR	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	003	3	2/24/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$1
2025	2024	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 PRESIDENTS CIR	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	11/29/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$335,952
2025	2024	WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY	6100 MAIN ST	HOUSTON	TX	77005	HARRIS	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	4	11/29/2024	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$329,856
2025	2024	WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY	6100 MAIN ST	HOUSTON	TX	77005	HARRIS	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	004	4	2/24/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$122,053
2025	2023	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 PRESIDENTS CIR	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	002	2	2/24/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$122,052
														Subtotal = $330,802

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $335,953 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 PRESIDENTS CIR	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	6/6/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$335,953
														Subtotal = $335,953

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $342,835 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 PRESIDENTS CIR	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	2	6/7/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$342,835
														Subtotal = $342,835

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $342,120 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, THE	201 PRESIDENTS CIR	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	8/22/2022	NEW	$342,120
														Subtotal = $342,120

Grand Total All Awards = $1,351,710

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Ingestible gastric-resident electronic metamaterials architecture (iGEM) for the treatment of obesity

Award Number: R01EB032959

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2026

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