Ingestible Smart Pills Revolutionize the Prevention and Diagnosis of Gut Disorders

Highlights

Gastrointestinal disorders are undiagnosed in around 30% of the patients.
Ingestible smart capsules may have the potential of revolutionizing the prevention and diagnosis of gut disorders and diseases.

The phase one human trials of ingestible capsules may have the potential of revolutionizing the prevention and diagnosis of gut disorders and diseases, finds a recent research from the University in Melbourne, Australia.//

Kourosh Kalantar-Zadeh, co-inventor and distinguished professor, along with his research team, tested the ingestible smart capsules and measured the gas levels in the gastrointestinal levels.

How Gut Microbes Protect Against Infections
Mice that had been bred at their facility had a greater number of immune cells in the gut than mice purchased from an outside vendor.

‘The newly designed ingestible smart pills could revolutionize the prevention and diagnosis of gut disorders.’

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One out of five people may suffer from a gastrointestinal disorder in their lifetime. And around 30% of the patients may remain undiagnosed.

Ingestible Technology
The new technology has been found to demonstrate more sensitivity to gut gases than other alternative techniques.

Kalantar-Zadeh said, "Currently, one of the only methods for diagnosing gut disorders, such as mal-absorption of carbohydrates, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammable bowel disease, is to measure hydrogen concentrations in the breath."

However, the hydrogen breath tests lack sensitivity and specificity and are unable to provide the necessary gold standard for diagnosis.

Dr. Kyle Berean, said, "Ingestible sensors also offer a reliable diagnostic tool for colon cancer, meaning that people won't have to undergo colonoscopies in future."

Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Inflammatory bowel disease involves chronic inflammation of the colon and small intestine. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain and weight loss.

Is the New Technology Safe?
The ingestible smart pills are harmless and have no risk of capsule retention. Another added advantage is that the capsules could be synced along with smartphones so that the results are easily accessible to the users and doctors online.

Potential Application
Kalantar-Zadeh, said, "The sensors allow us to measure all the fluids and gases in the gut giving us a multidimensional picture of the human body."

Gut Microbes Could Treat Autoimmune Disorder
The microorganisms found in the gut were found to alleviate symptoms of autoimmune disorder IPEX syndrome, providing a possible cure for the condition.

"Gas sensing is just the beginning."

The human trials were conducted along with colleagues from Monash University. Kalantar-Zadeh.

"We have been lucky to have Monash medical academics helping us on this journey," he said. "Without their input we would not be able to proceed."

References

Kourosh Kalantar-zadeh, Nam Ha, Jian Zhen Ou, Kyle J. Berean. Ingestible Sensors. ACS Sensors, 2017;DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.7b00045

Source-Medindia