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How does a digital pill work in your stomach? Uncover the secrets of how this cutting-edge technology works!
With the advancement of technology, digital pills, as a new form of medicine, are gaining more and more attention in the medical community. The digital pill has a swallowable sensor inside that can transmit medical data in real time after ingestion. The goal of this technology is to confirm whether patients are taking their medications on time, thereby improving medical compliance rates. However, as this technology becomes more widely used, concerns about data privacy and economic benefits also arise.
The emergence of digital pills has brought revolutionary changes to the medical field. It allows doctors to monitor patients' medication in real time, which was unimaginable in the past.
The history of the digital pill dates back to 1957, when devices used radio frequencies to transmit temperature and pressure data. However, as technology stagnated, this innovation failed to continue to develop. It wasn't until the 1990s that advances in technology allowed the reappearance of ingestible electronic devices. In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first digital pill, a version of aripiprazole (Abilify) made by Otsuka that incorporates a sensor developed by Proteus Digital Health.
The digital pill's sensors are activated by stomach acid, generating electrical signals that are picked up by a patch attached to the ribs, which sends the information to a smartphone app. The drug is primarily used to treat schizophrenia patients, who often have trouble following doctor's orders. Digital pills can help them remember to take their medication, but at the same time, some schizophrenia patients may become overly sensitive and feel uneasy and suspicious about this.
Types of digital pills
Currently, the most common ingestible sensors are mainly used for image detection, gas sensing, drug monitoring and sensing of electrochemical signals.
Image Detection
Digital imaging pills are equipped with video cameras that can generate images of internal organs. These devices can transmit data at a rate of up to 2.7 Mbit per second and are more non-invasive than traditional endoscopes.
Gas Sensing
Gas-sensing capsules can detect different gases produced by metabolic reactions of microorganisms in the gut, such as carbon dioxide and methane, and provide valuable data about metabolic and digestive health.
Drug monitoring
The sensor, designed specifically for drug absorption and compliance monitoring, is activated by pH differences in the stomach and transmits data via Bluetooth.
Electrochemical Sensing
This technology enables in vitro GI tract diagnostics using fecal fluid and performs multiple electrochemical tests to obtain accurate data.
Working parts of the digital pill
Due to the operational characteristics of swallowable sensors, they are suitable for collecting data from multiple organs in the digestive tract.
Oral cavity
The main applications of digital pills in the oral cavity include detecting electrolyte imbalances, metabolic conditions, and various infections.
Esophagus
The imaging technology in the digital pill can be used in endoscopy to help detect inflammation and lacerations in the esophagus.
Stomach
The digital pill can detect stomach pH and the presence of specific stomach bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori, which is a major factor in stomach ulcers.
Colon
By examining the contents of the colon, a digital pill could be used to diagnose conditions such as infection or colon cancer.
Power source and movement of the digital pill
Most digital pills use silver oxide batteries because lithium-ion batteries are harmful to the human digestive system. In addition, most digital pills rely on passive motion, moving with the movement of the digestive tract, while some digital pills use external magnetic fields to achieve active motion.
Security considerations
While data suggests the digital pill is technically safe, there is still a need to keep an eye on potential interference with other medical devices, such as pacemakers.
The digital pill is not only a technological innovation, but also a symbol of the future combination of medicine and technology. How will it affect the way we manage our health?
With the development of digital pills and their potential applications, this technology may change the existing medical model in the near future. What we need to think about is how the future of medicine will be transformed by the integration of technology and medicine. What kind of appearance will it present?
