Patent ID: 7717862

Claim:
A sampling method for obtaining samples of internal body substances in a digestive tract of a patient, wherein an elongated capsule ( 2 ) having rounded end-portions is swallowed by the patient and the capsule ( 2 ) is opened in a predetermined position of the digestive tract following contact with a body substance to be collected, the method comprising: a) opening an inlet opening ( 18 ) provided in an end-portion of the capsule ( 2 ) and having the inlet opening extending in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the elongated capsule to initiate collection of a sample of the body substance by dissolving a plug member ( 20 ) within the inlet opening ( 18 ) in the capsule wall ( 3 ) following contact with the body substance to be collected; b) opening a flexible, self-sealing blocking member ( 12 ) comprised of a singular body, disposed inside the capsule ( 2 ), by flexible movement of the blocking member ( 12 ) in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the elongated capsule to collect the sample of the body fluid by the force of vacuum or substantial under-pressure in the capsule ( 2 ) when the plug member ( 20 ) has been dissolved; and c) blocking the inlet opening ( 18 ) with the flexible blocking member ( 12 ) by flexible movement of the flexible blocking member in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the elongated capsule, caused by internal resilience of the blocking member from the inside of the capsule ( 2 ) when the vacuum or substantial under-pressure in the capsule has been equalised.