A novel biomagnetic approach to study caecocolonic motility in humans

Abstract

Motility patterns play a major role in human colonic functions; however, its physiological significance is poorly understood. Several studies have been introducing the Alternating Current Biosusceptometry (ACB) as a valuable tool in gastroenterology and pharmaceutical research. Using gold standard techniques, great effort has been made to validate ACB as a method for measuring gastrointestinal motility in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate caecocolonic motility and its response to a meal in healthy volunteers. The results showed a dominant frequency of 3.17 ± 0.13 cycles per minute (mean ± SD) that remained unchanged even after a standardized meal (P > 0.01). The colonic response to a meal was recorded as a considerable increase in amplitude, reflected by motility index (P < 0.01) and was observed for all the volunteers. The caecocolonic motility could be assessed by the ACB providing new insights into physiological patterns of motility. Moreover, the method is non-invasive, radiation-free, cost-effective and independent of bowel preparation.

Validation of ACB in vitro and in vivo as a biomagnetic method for measuring stomach contraction

“…On the other hand, the signal intensity increases when material arrives to the cecum and it allows evaluating the orocecal transit time. A multisensor ACB system has been already successfully used in humans, 10,24 but its size is not adequate to be employed in rats. Thus, a new system has been developed with mini‐sensors optimized for use in laboratory animals (coils of small diameter, optimization of number of turns and its relationship between the numbers of sensors) and it is possible to recognize the GI segment by means of frequency of contractions.…”

Alternate current biosusceptometry for the assessment of gastric motility after proximal gastrectomy in rats: a feasibility study

“…The ACB system can be adjusted to different subjects sizes, as demonstrated by studies in rats, dogs, pigs (not published data), and man . Another possible setup is the use of a multisensor system for larger regions imaging, such as intragastric distribution assessment and disintegration of tablets .…”

“…The ability to measure both parameters is an important aspect to be considered when selecting appropriate methods . The alternate current biosusceptometry (ACB) system is a biomagnetic device that has already been validated for the evaluation of gastrointestinal motility in different animal models and humans . The ACB system provides a non‐invasive approach to assess sequentially GC, GE, and OCT in the same animal.…”

AC Biosusceptometry Technique to Evaluate the Gastrointestinal Transit of Pellets under Influence of Prandial State

“…Alternate Current Biosusceptometry (ACB) technique has been becoming a promising method for pharmaceutical research. AC Biosusceptometry technique was originally proposed to investigate the gastrointestinal motility in humans15–17 and in animals,18, 19 regarding several aspects on physiology and clinical researches. Continuous improvements allowed enhancing the spatial resolution and the sensitivity of the device for pharmaceutical applications 20.…”