A New Type of Pill

Intelligent pill doesn’t dissolve—it examines is the title of an article appearing at R&D. As the title indicates this is no ordinary pill. Rather than the contents dissolving and being absorbed by the body, this pill will pass through the digestive tract and during its passage release controlled amounts of drugs at predetermined locations. The pill has a pH sensor which enables a determination of where it is in the digestive tract. Different areas of the digestive tract have different levels of acidity. Acid levels are highest in the stomach but steadily decline as the pill navigates its way through the intestines.

The pill, developed by Philips Research and dubbed iPill, has a reservior capacity for storing drugs. It also has a fluid pump for dispensing the drugs and a microprocessor which directs the drug release process. Dosing can occur at multiple release points. In addition the iPill has a battery, temperature sensor and RF wireless transceiver. The temperature sensor gathers local temperature information and transmits it via its wireless transceiver to an external receiver unit.

Intelligent pills can also be used for diagnostic purposes. This can be accomplished with the inclusion of a miniature camara. When more precise imagery is required more conventional techniques like endoscopy, MRI and CT scans can supplement. The combination of site specific treatment and diagnostic capabilities offers new medical benefits that could help treat disorders like Crohn's disease, colitis and colon cancer.