Innovation
Ingestible Smart Pills Will Deliver Drugs and Perform Biopsies From Inside the Body
Engineers are developing a new generation of electronic capsules that can navigate the gastrointestinal tract, release drugs at precise locations, and even collect tissue samples for diagnosis. The technology promises to replace invasive procedures with a pill you simply swallow.
Key Takeaways
- Smart pills can now deliver drugs at precise GI locations using micro-needles and sensor-triggered release
- Biopsy-capable capsules collect tissue samples from hard-to-reach areas of the small intestine
- Real-time sensors monitor pH, temperature, and biomarkers as the pill transits the gut
- First therapeutic smart pills could reach the market within five to ten years
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