Swallowable expandable fibrous capsules for nonendoscopic sampling of esophageal cells

This study introduces a swallowable, mechanically expanding fibrous capsule designed to noninvasively sample esophageal epithelial cells as an alternative to endoscopic biopsies. The device uses an ultralight polycaprolactone (PCL) fibrous mesh fabricated via solution blow spinning onto a dissolvable sugar-core scaffold. After oral ingestion, moisture dissolves the core and deploys the PCL mesh into a large, flower-like collector that can be retrieved using a tether. Structural and biochemical analyses (SEM, FTIR, DSC) verified polymer integrity, while in vivo porcine studies demonstrated atraumatic deployment, retrieval, and high-efficiency cellular capture across the esophageal lumen. Histology, flow cytometry, and cytokeratin staining confirmed diagnostic-quality epithelial sampling suitable for detecting metaplasia or early-stage neoplasia. Mechanical and thermal assessments further validated the device’s robustness, supporting its clinical potential as a low-cost, low-invasiveness screening tool for esophageal disease.