PsYcH3d

Intelligent pill, ‘iPill’, gets good gut reaction

From The Times
November 12, 2008

New YorkAn “intelligent pill” that can be targeted to release drugs in a specific area of the body has been developed by scientists. Containing a microprocessor, battery, wireless radio, pump and a reservoir for medication, the inch-long capsule is designed to treat digestive tract disorders such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Developed by Philips, the “iPill” measures acidity to determine its location in the gut and can release drugs exactly where they are needed, so doses can be lower and the risk of side-effects reduced. It can also record temperatures and report to an outside receiver.

Ulcerative colitis, or inflammation of the bowel, affects about 95,000 patients in Britain a year, and Crohn’s disease affects approximately 60,000 people.