In vitro models to evaluate ingestible devices: Present status and current trends

Orally ingestible medical devices offer significant opportunity in the diagnosis and treatment of gastroin-testinal conditions. Their development necessitates the use of models that simulate the gastrointestinal environment on both a macro and micro scale. An evolution in scientific technology has enabled a wide range of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models to be developed that replicate the gastrointestinal tract. This review describes the landscape of the existing range of in vitro tools that are available to characterize ingestible devices. Models are presented with details on their benefits and limitations with regards to the evaluation of ingestible devices and examples of their use in the evaluation of such devices is pre-sented where available. The multitude of models available provides a suite of tools that can be used in the evaluation of ingestible devices that should be selected on the functionality of the device and the mechanism of its function. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The development of orally ingestible medical devices requires the use of models that simulate the gastrointestinal environment on both a macro and micro scale. Various in vitro tools are available for characterizing these devices, each with its own benefits and limitations. The selection of models for evaluation should be based on the functionality and mechanism of the device.