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Fecobionics: A Novel Bionics Device for Studying Defecation

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Abstract

During defecation, solid, semisolid or liquid stools are eliminated via the anus in a complex physiological process. Up to 25% of the population are affected by anorectal disorders that are poorly recognized and treated. We developed a new bionics device, a simulated stool named Fecobionics, to replace several current tests of anorectal function. Fecobionics was developed to simulate the defecation process that depends on rectal forces, the anorectal size angle, and anorectal size and sensitivity. Fecobionics provided axial pressure signatures, measurement of bending (anorectal angle) and geometric mapping in a single examination. It had the consistency and shape of normal stool. The device had a soft core with embedded electronics and a bag for distension. The paper describes the device development and validation. Furthermore, data were obtained in preliminary experiments in pigs, healthy human subjects and patients with focus on four important features of the system, i.e. measurements of pressure signatures, bending characteristics, impedance measurements and data transmission. Accurate pressure and orientation data as well as geometric profiles were successfully obtained on the bench as well as in vivo in pigs and human subjects during defecation. Fecobionics is a novel technology imitating defecation. The clinical future ultimately depends on its ability to impact on daily treatment of anorectal disorders. A potential long-term clinical application is use of the device for biofeedback training for dyssynergic defecation.

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Acknowledgments

The work was supported by a CUHK Start Up Grant, RCG Grant # 14106717, Karen Elise Jensens Foundation, and a NIH SBIR Phase 1 Grant. Simon Ng, Kaori Futaba, Tony Mak, Abbey Chen, Cherry Wong and Wing Wa are thanked for providing the data from patients. The authors had full access to all of the data, devices and materials used in the study and take complete responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis and interpretation of outcomes.

Conflict of interest

Hans Gregersen has filed applications for patents on the technology.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Communication Engineering, Chongqing University, Shapingba, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Daming Sun & Zhiyong Huang

  2. GIOME, Department of Surgery Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong

    Zhuoli Zhuang, Zhiyao Ma & Hans Gregersen

  3. GIOME DB, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Lo Kar Man

  4. GIOME Academia, Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark

    Donghua Liao

  5. California Medical Innovations Institute, San Diego, CA, 92122, USA

    Hans Gregersen

Authors
  1. Daming Sun
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  2. Zhiyong Huang
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  3. Zhuoli Zhuang
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  4. Zhiyao Ma
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  5. Lo Kar Man
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  6. Donghua Liao
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  7. Hans Gregersen
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Zhiyong Huang or Hans Gregersen.

Additional information

Associate Editor Ender A. Finol oversaw the review of this article.

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Sun, D., Huang, Z., Zhuang, Z. et al. Fecobionics: A Novel Bionics Device for Studying Defecation. Ann Biomed Eng 47, 576–589 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-018-02149-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-018-02149-1

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