Abstract: A device for delivering a substance in situ in a body comprising at least one permeable expandable container having a first dimension and a second dimension and having contained therein the substance to be delivered; and at least one expandable particle comprising a swellable material contained within the container and capable of expanding when contacted with a fluid; whereby when the device is positioned in situ, bodily fluid permeates the container causing the at least one expandable particle contained therein to swell and the container to expand from the first dimension to the second dimension so that the device remains in situ for a period of time sufficient to achieve the desired delivery of the substance is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an orally administrable implement comprising expandable material designed specifically to swell in a targeted gastrointestinal (Gl) organ of a mammal, including human to form a pseudobezoar, so that upon swelling it touches the walls of the targeted organ. In one design, the swollen pseudobezoar provides sponge-like cleansing of the targeted Gl organ to prepare the said organ for further examination. In another design the expandable material scrapes the walls of the targeted Gl organ by creating a sufficient friction tension between its permeable wails and the mucosa of the Gl organ walls to collect enough adequate tissue samples, occult blood, or both, for the purpose of tissue sample analysis, DNA analysis, occult blood analysis, or a combination thereof. Safety mechanisms for the controlled disintegration of the pseudobezoars in cases of possible obstruction are also described.

Abstract: A device for delivering a substance in situ in a body comprising at least one permeable expandable container having a first dimension and a second dimension and having contained therein the substance to be delivered; and at least one expandable particle comprising a swellable material contained within the container and capable of expanding when contacted with a fluid; whereby when the device is positioned in situ, bodily fluid permeates the container causing the at least one expandable particle contained therein to swell and the container to expand from the first dimension to the second dimension so that the device remains in situ for a period of time sufficient to achieve the desired delivery of the substance is provided.

Abstract: An orally administrable implement for expanding in a stomach of an animal, including a mammal, to fill a space in the stomach, is provided for weight control. The implement includes: a fluid-permeable expandable container having a first dimension and a second dimension; and a plurality of clusters comprising a swellable material contained within the container and capable of swelling when contacted with a fluid; whereby when the implement is ingested, the fluid in the stomach enters the container causing the clusters therein to swell and the container to expand from the first dimension to the second dimension.

Abstract: An orally administrable implement for expanding in a stomach of an animal, including a mammal, to fill a space in the stomach, is provided for weight control. The implement includes: a fluid-permeable expandable container having a first dimension and a second dimension; and a plurality of clusters comprising a swellable material contained within the container and capable of swelling when contacted with a fluid; whereby when the implement is ingested, the fluid in the stomach enters the container causing the clusters therein to swell and the container to expand from the first dimension to the second dimension.