THE JOURNEY WITHIN

Follow the capsule

One capsule. A connected journey. Scroll to follow what happens next.

Mouth & throat

First steps

The capsule is swallowed and travels through the oesophagus towards the stomach. Coordinated muscle contractions help it along.

Stomach

Through the stomach

The capsule is shown intact as it passes through the stomach. This stage illustrates the protective role of its shell during the journey.

Intestinal release

A new chapter begins

Watch the capsule open and release its bacteria into the intestine.

The release point is illustrative. Its actual location and timing depend on the capsule formulation.

Small intestine

Following the bacteria

We now follow the released bacteria through the small intestine. The capsule shell is no longer the focus of the journey.

Large intestine

Further along

The journey continues into the large intestine, home to a diverse community of microbes.

Rectum & exit

The final stage

Intestinal contents reach the rectum and can leave the body through the anus in the stool. This illustrated journey does not imply that the bacteria settle permanently.

Follow the capsule through a connected digestive tract A simplified cutaway of a head and body. The mouth connects to the oesophagus and stomach, then to the small intestine inside the surrounding large intestine, ending at the rectum and anus. Scrolling moves an intact capsule through the upper tract. It opens in the illustrated intestinal stage, after which bacteria continue along the route.

Illustrative journey. Anatomy, movement and release point are simplified; scrolling does not represent transit time.