Imaging and collection device and related systems and methods

1. A swallowable capsule comprising:

(a) a core component;

(b) a plurality of deployment structures operably coupled to the core component, wherein the deployment structures are configured to move between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration;

(c) at least one collection structure coupled to each of the plurality of deployment structures;

(d) an expansion component disposed within the core component, wherein expansion of the expansion component urges the plurality of deployment structures toward the deployed configuration;

(e) an outer casing comprising a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of deployment structures, wherein the plurality of openings are configured to receive the at least one collection structures when the deployment structures are disposed in the deployed configuration such that the at least one collection structures protrude out of the openings; and

(f) an imaging component disposed on the capsule.

2. The swallowable capsule of claim 1 , wherein the deployment structures are deployment struts or deployment rods.

3. The swallowable capsule of claim 1 , wherein the at least one collection structure is coupled to each of the plurality of deployment structures such that the at least one collection structure extends radially outward from the deployment structure.

4. The swallowable capsule of claim 1 , wherein the expansion component is an inflatable balloon.

5. The swallowable capsule of claim 1 , further comprising a transparent shell disposed at a distal end of the capsule, wherein the imaging component is disposed therein.

6. The swallowable capsule of claim 1 , wherein the at least one collection structure comprises a brush or a collection member comprising an opening.

7. The swallowable capsule of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of deployment structures is coupled at a proximal end to the core component.

8. The swallowable capsule of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of deployment structures is coupled at each end to the core component.

9. A swallowable capsule comprising:

(a) a capsule body comprising an outer casing;

(b) a plurality of deployment structures disposed within the body, wherein the deployment structures are configured to move between an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration;

(c) at least one collection structure coupled to each of the plurality of deployment structures;

(d) a plurality of openings defined in the outer casing, wherein the plurality of openings correspond to the plurality of deployment structures, wherein the plurality of openings are configured to receive the at least one collection structures when the deployment structures are disposed in the deployed configuration such that the at least one collection structures protrude out of the openings;

(e) an expansion component disposed within the capsule body adjacent to the plurality of deployment structures, wherein expansion of the expansion component causes the plurality of deployment structures to move toward the deployed configuration; and

(f) an imaging component disposed on the capsule body.

10. The swallowable capsule of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of deployment structures is coupled at a proximal end to an interior portion of the capsule body.

11. The swallowable capsule of claim 10 , wherein the at least one collection structure is disposed at a distal end of each of the plurality of deployment structures.

12. The swallowable capsule of claim 9 , wherein the at least one collection structure comprises a blade.

13. The swallowable capsule of claim 9 , further comprising at least one porous insert positioned adjacent to the at least one collection structure.

14. The swallowable capsule of claim 9 , wherein the at least one collection structure is coupled to each of the plurality of deployment structures such that the at least one collection structure extends radially outward from the deployment structure.

15. The swallowable capsule of claim 9 , wherein the expansion component is an inflatable balloon.

16. A method of diagnosing a condition of the esophagus or the stomach of a patient, comprising:

positioning a swallowable capsule in the esophagus or stomach of the patient, the swallowable capsule comprising:

(a) a capsule body comprising an outer casing;

(b) a plurality of deployment structures disposed within the body;

(c) at least one collection structure coupled to each of the plurality of deployment structures;

(d) a plurality of openings defined in the outer casing, wherein the plurality of openings correspond to the plurality of deployment structures;

(e) an expansion component disposed within the capsule body adjacent to the plurality of deployment structures; and

(f) an imaging component disposed on the capsule body

collecting cells with the swallowable capsule by expanding the expansion component and thereby urge the plurality of deployment structures into a deployed configuration such that each of the at least one collection structure protrudes through one of the plurality of openings and contacts a target tissue; and

removing the swallowable capsule from the patient.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising testing the cells to detect the condition after removing the swallowable capsule from the patient.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising retracting the at least one collection structure by causing the expansion structure to contract and thereby causing the plurality of deployment structures to retract after collecting cells.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one collection structure comprises a brush, a collection member comprising an opening, or a collection member comprising a blade.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising capturing images with the imaging component.