FDA Approves Swallowable, Stomach-Acid Powered  Sensors

The Proteus ingestible sensor can be integrated into an inert pill or other ingested products, such as pharmaceuticals.

Once the ingestible sensor reaches the stomach, it is powered by contact with stomach fluid and communicates a unique signal that determines identity and timing of ingestion.

This information is transferred through the user’s body tissue to a patch worn on the skin that detects the signal and marks the precise time an ingestible sensor has been taken. Additional physiologic and behavioral metrics collected by the patch include heart rate, body position and activity.

The patch relays information to a mobile phone application. With the patient’s consent, the information is accessible by caregivers and clinicians, helping individuals to develop and sustain healthy habits, families to make better health choices, and clinicians to provide more effective, data-driven care.

(via FDA OK’s ingestible sensor chip | KurzweilAI)