Most sensors need physical touch to tap the patient’s vitals, be it heart rate, blood pressure etc. But with the new technology, patients will be able to ingest the sensors in the form of a pill and once the work is done, the pill will dissolve. The aim behind an ingestible capsule is that make the operation of tapping vitals, a simple task without the need of wearing a band or a device.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a swallow able sensor that can measure vital health signs from inside the body. On similar lines, Barton Health, a Lake Tahoe, CA-based non-profit, rural health system has become the first US healthcare provider to prescribe patients ingestible sensors using the company’s Proteus Discover solution, specifically for hypertension.
These pills were first tested on pigs and it was found that this could give the exact and precise information on heart rate, breathing etc., even when food was being digested. This new digital medicine has an ingestible sensor, which gets activated when it comes in contact with the stomach acid. This will capture details on the patient’s heart rate, BP, pill taking time, exercise and meal timings
The smart capsule places itself inside the gastrointestinal tract to get its readings, but remains for only a day or two. Beyond that, a person would have to pop another pill to get additional readings.
This pill could be of great use for trauma patients or burn victims for which a skin touching sensor can be difficult. Although, this technology will be of great help and will also take HealthIT to another level, it still needs approval by FDA to successfully be used commercially.
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