Researchers at MIT have reported that they are testing out a new digestible sensor that will lodge itself in the GI tract of the patient and help doctors monitor vital stats such as heart rate and breathing patterns. There is also a belief that this sensor can help detect breathing anomalies and other complications before they can become more complicated. This update was provided by Giovanni Traverso, an associate professor in the mechanical engineering department at MIT, who also added that there is work being done creating a series of sensors that will aid in sleep analysis among other applications.
When it comes to sleep study, the patient is conventionally hooked on to a number of sensors across the body, including the scalp, temples, chest and lungs with wires. All of this makes it rather awkward for the patient to sleep and as a result, the studies do not produce the most reliable results. With the ingestible sensor, all of this wiring will be eliminated, allowing the patient to enjoy proper sleep, while the sensor does the rest.
The trial is employing capsules manufactured by Celero Systems, a startup that was founded by MIT and Harvard Researchers. It consists of two batteries an antenna to transmit the data. Sized similar to an ordinary vitamin tablet, the capsule passes through the gastrointestinal tracts of the patient and records and transmits vital data of the patient, which is logged and used to study and even diagnose conditions that would otherwise require multiple sensors and equipment.
As things stand, the current capsule stays within the body of the patient for two days before naturally passing out. The intention now, is to try and extend that duration of stay to at least 7 days. As far as the test patients are concerned, the sample set who received these capsules did not report any pain or discomfort and also said that sleeping with the capsule in their bodies was much easier that sleeping with the whole sensor setup wired to them.
The team working on this project are increasingly optimistic about the possibilities of this innovation and some even suggest that this capsule system could be used to administer drugs internally. This way, if there is a certain drug that must be administered at regular intervals, the quantity can be loaded into the capsule and the device can be coded to administer the required amount at the desired interval.
While this will require immense testing before being introduced into the mainstream hospitals, we are very excited to see how this eventually pans out.
Do you think smart capsules are the future, or would you like to stick to traditional treatment methods? Comment below!!
