A new study has found that a smart pill could help doctors identify digestive problems.
An ingestible sensor that can be monitored while moving through the digestive tract can help diagnose digestive disorders. These include conditions such as constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (when acid passes from the stomach into the esophagus), and gastroparesis (when food passes through the stomach more slowly than it should).
These conditions are called gastrointestinal motility problems.
A small sensor works by detecting the magnetic field generated by an electromagnetic coil located outside the body.
The field strength varies with distance from the pulley, so the position of the sensor can be calculated from its measurement of the magnetic field.
In a new study, engineers at MIT and Caltech used a sensor to track its movement through the digestive system of pigs.
They say such a device could provide an alternative to more invasive procedures in humans, such as endoscopy, currently being used to diagnose movement disorders.
The researchers hope the ingestible pills will be used by patients at home and used instead of more invasive surgical procedures.
Giovanni Traverso, Associate Professor of Career Development in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, said: “Many people around the world suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders or poor gastrointestinal motility and lack the ability to control gastrointestinal motility. -intestinal tract. Without having to go to the hospital, it is important to understand what is really happening with the patient.”
Gastrointestinal motility disorders can occur in any part of the digestive system and lead to impaired movement of food in the digestive system.
X-rays, imaging, or catheters are commonly used to diagnose conditions.
The study, in collaboration with NYU Tandon, is published in Nature Electronics.
Source: Independent
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