Pop quiz: Which is longer, your small intestine or your large intestine?
Yup, it’s a trick question – although your large intestine is WIDER in diameter, it’s only about 5 feet long. The small intestine, on the other hand, is about 10 times your height!
So, what’s going on in there?
Actually, the truth is… we don’t really know!
Your intestines have long been a mystery to health professionals. Their incredible length makes it impossible to actually SEE inside… let alone perform medical work.
We’ve tried probing with cameras and using oral contrast liquids, but those techniques leave much to be desired – not to mention leaving your tummy grumbling. Not fun.
This was clearly a field starving for innovation – and now, thanks to the burgeoning mobile wireless health revolution, we have a much safer and more effective way to monitor our insides: ingestible sensors!
What are ingestible sensors?
Ingestible sensors (or “smart pills”) are tiny pills with microscopic electronics inside that you swallow. They move through your body and feed information about what’s happening from the inside.
Even cooler, the sensors are connected to your smartphone – allowing patients to get personalized information about their body in real time, or your doctor to monitor your health over longer periods.
How do ingestible sensors work?
Each sensor system is different, but in most cases, the pills themselves are about 1 square millimeter. Most are coated in copper and magnesium – which aren’t dangerous (they’re also found in your diet and most multi-vitamins).
The sensor is then activated by electrolytes within the body after you swallow it.
Once activated, the pill sends signals to a little patch on the user’s torso. This data is then sent to a caregiver’s or family member’s smartphone (using the power of Bluetooth).
Of course, there are many versions of this exciting new tech. Some even have cameras and microchips!
What are ingestible sensors used for?
Wireless patient monitoring and diagnostic imaging are the most common uses, but there are many applications for ingestible sensors… especially in regards to their ability to monitor our gut health.
Imagine getting a text on your phone saying your mother has forgotten to take her medication – or even that her medications are being administered at the wrong dose.
Right now the technology is still in its early phases, so we expect to see some incredible breakthroughs in the near future. Some argue that this will be a “tough pill for consumers to swallow” – but we think the benefits (and safety) far outweigh the fact that it is indeed a strange concept.
(Now, there’s just one last thing to ask… does the saying “You are what you eat” apply here?)
Reginald Hannen says
I think this is amazing
GiddyUp says
We agree! Thanks for sharing Reginald.
Robert F Purcell says
Modern technology is increasingly improving more at a rapid speed; than God for all our scientist.
mike emslie says
excellent idea
GiddyUp says
Agreed Mike!
Bill Orr says
This of course is the future rather than having an invasive colonoscopy which is necessary for every man and women over 40 years of age. Very hard to convince people that this is a necessary evil in the fight against colon cancer. One disease that is curable if caught early enough. It was once considered to be for men only but, we all eat the same food, some of us drink alcohol and some people smoke. In essence, it was decided by the medical profession that all women over the age of 40 should have the same procedure.
It is unfortunate that it will take a few more years for this incredible little pill to be available on the market. I would imagine that it will be quite expensive once it is available world wide. In the meantime I urge everyone to have a colonoscopy as early detection of polyps will save your life. Most people have one or two and if left unattended then they could become cancerous and eat through the wall of your intestines. Please discuss with your doctor next visit. Information is available on several websites.
Your life will become more enjoyable by cutting out alcohol and smoking and food will become that more enjoyable. Think of the money you will save in a year by doing so. I don’t mean to preach, I have been there and done that and it saved my life by quitting both. Good health and happiness to all.
Bill Orr
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
GiddyUp says
Thanks for sharing this with our community Bill!
paul smitherman says
So What happens when it eventually gets flushed down the loo ,Does it continue to transmit info from under ground
GiddyUp says
that’s a great question Paul – will have to look into that!
Rodney Smith says
My wife suffers with bloating and various tummy problems , This would help resolve some of these issues. Rod Smith.
GiddyUp says
Absolutely, Rod. It’s great to see science being invested here – so many people stand to benefit. Thanks for sharing.
John Morris says
isn’t this rather quickly eliminated through bowel movements? How long does it stay in your digestive system?
Hannah Boulton says
My question exactly, on average how long does it stay in the gut?
Would it be prescribed by and MD?
How much would it cost?
Will the camera part be clouded by fecal material?
Nana Boulton
Trevor Peisley says
These camera capsules have been around for a few years here in Australia.
About two years ago my gastro got me to swallow one for a full video of inside of me on its way through my body.
It exited the following day, I returned it to my Doctor and wow, a full video to look at.
Only condition was I couldn’t go any more than 10 kms away so they could monitor it.
The comment about the poop on the lens, once again, not a problem.
It cost over $3500 at the time which the doctor charged me $1000 as it was fairly new on the market.
Beats colonoscopy and Endoscopy same day.
Trevor- Australia
Linda McKee says
Wow, Trevor, that is tres cool!!! HURRAH! for Australia for being DECADES AHEAD of the rest of us medically in this area!!! Hearing this is fantastic! I am looking forward to the procedure myself now! Thank you for your input! 🙂
KERRY TAKAHASHI says
No need for tracings when you have this they have you for the rest of your life
Alison says
I “suffer” from bloating and flatulence so I try NOT to be around others. I would seriously like to try this “pill”.
L CARMAN says
This sounds great. I suffer from bloating and flatulence and worry about being in public all the time.