03.05.2024

Researchers from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Birmingham, along with colleagues from the University of Edinburgh, have introduced an ingestible capsule equipped with sensors to monitor gut movement, potentially improving gastrointestinal diagnostics and treatment.

This development, featured in the academic journal Device, promises to offer unprecedented insights into digestive tract dynamics and could lead to more effective detection and management of gastrointestinal diseases.

Image: A close-up picture of a capsule; Copyright: Gerard Cummins, University of Birmingham

The ingestible capsule dotted with sensors can detect pressure in a patient’s guts and detect points of failure.

Products and exhibitors related to this topic

Exhibitors and products related to this topic can be found in the database of MEDICA:

Enhanced gastrointestinal monitoring

Traditional diagnostic methods like endoscopy and capsule endoscopies offer limited insights into gut movement. The new ingestible system employs pressure sensors to detect intestinal contractions and identify areas of inactivity. Prof. Marc Desmulliez highlights the innovation's potential to transform gastrointestinal disease detection and monitoring.

Cutting-edge sensor technology

The swallowable capsule contains up to five thin sensors, each measuring the thickness of one or two human hairs.
These sensors accurately measure gut movement and activity along the entire gastrointestinal tract, providing comprehensive diagnostic data.

Dr Gerard Cummins, an assistant professor at the University of Birmingham, said: “The device is extremely resilient due to the number of sensors and their flexibility: it will continue to work even if it’s damaged.

Technological advancements

The research, funded by UK Research and Innovation's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UKRI-EPSRC), also explores the use of ultrasound for detecting subcutaneous gut pathologies. The device's sustainable design and cost-effectiveness make it viable for widespread adoption in healthcare settings. Dr. Cummins underscores the importance of affordability and scalability in medical technology development to ensure accessibility for patients.

A spinout company is being established to further develop the innovation, with a pending patent. Clinical testing is estimated to take at least five more years before the product is ready for market introduction. Heriot-Watt University's global research institute in health and care technologies aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions in patient care, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and healthcare providers.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Heriot-Watt University

More about Heriot-Watt University at: www.hw.ac.uk