From wearables to ‘ingestibles’

20th November 2015

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Joe Bush

0 0

Ways in which we measure our health and well-being have become increasingly portable in recent years, with significant advances in wearable technology such as heart monitors, fitness trackers, smartwatches and other related gadgets. The release of technology such as the Fitbit, the Jawbone, Samsung Gear, the Garmin Forerunner 620, and the Apple Watch have all helped put personal data at our fingertips.

Lesser-known devices have also enabled us to measure such things as stress levels through sweat and electro-dermal activity, to real time brain activity to aid the mindfulness of employees.

The use of wearables in the healthcare sector is perhaps just as significant as other ground-breaking moments in the history of medicine such as the discovery of penicillin. Through the use of wearable technology healthcare information is becoming more granular, and it’s being employed with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

However, a recent development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may have taken this technology to the next level. Researchers have developed an ingestible sensor that monitors a patient’s heart rate from within the gut.

The patient ingests a small pill containing a microphone. The sensor then travels to the gut where it wirelessly relays vital signs information to a computer that allows researchers to detect the sounds of the individual’s pulse and respiratory rate.

The institute has completed a successful trial on pigs and is now in the process of developing a human-friendly test version. Although the initial use of the ingestible sensor will be within hospital environments, the aim is to develop the device for use in monitoring athletes and military personnel.

Back in July, Proteus Digital Health announced that the The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the Indications for Use statement for the latest generation of its Ingestible Sensor technology, enabling the device to be used as an aid in the measurement of medication adherence, which will help reduce healthcare costs due to unnecessary escalation of treatment.

A battery powered ‘ingestible’ camera pill has also been developed that takes high speed photos of the intestinal tract – potentially eliminating the need for invasive colonoscopy procedures.

With this in mind ‘ingestibles’ could well be set to revolutionise the healthcare market, addressing issues surrounding chronic disease management and eliminating the need for endless physical check-ups.