Innovative Coral-Inspired Capsule Enables Noninvasive Sampling of Small Intestine Bacteria

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking ingestible device inspired by marine coral structures to sample bacteria from the small intestine, an area typically inaccessible using traditional methods. This novel capsule, called CORAL (Cellularly Organized Repeating Lattice), draws upon the intricate, porous patterns found in natural coral formations, which host diverse microbial communities. The device is designed to passively traverse the digestive tract, trapping bacteria along its maze-like channels created through advanced 3D printing techniques using Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS). Unlike conventional sampling tools that rely on electronics or magnetic components, CORAL operates without batteries or moving parts, ensuring a simple, scalable, and safe application.

The capsule begins sampling once it reaches the small intestine, protected by a coating that withstands stomach acid. In animal studies, CORAL successfully captured distinct bacterial populations characteristic of the upper gut, including beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus, different from those found in fecal samples. This approach provides a more accurate representation of the small intestine’s microbiome, which plays a vital role in immune function, metabolism, and disease development.

Understanding the microbial communities in the small intestine could revolutionize diagnostics and treatments for various conditions such as immune disorders, metabolic diseases, and mental health issues, which studies increasingly link to gut health. The researchers believe that this technology offers a new, noninvasive window into the microbiome, addressing the limitations of stool-based analyses that mainly reflect bacteria from the large intestine.

Future steps include scaling the capsule for human use, developing retrieval methods, and conducting safety testing before clinical trials. The team envisions this innovation as part of a broader movement toward personalized, microbiome-targeted therapies, leveraging the natural structures found in marine life to solve complex biological challenges.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-coral-capsule-samples-hidden-bacteria.html