An innovative ingestible pill has shown promising results in its ability to monitor vital signs from within the body, according to a recent study. Published in the journal Device, the study reveals that this mini sensor pill could potentially replace bulky wearable sensors in sleep studies.
Developed by Celero Systems, the VM pill was tested by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in patients undergoing sleep studies. The tiny pill utilizes sensor technology within its circuit boards to detect vibrations in the body and wirelessly transmit data signals to a computer for analysis.
During the study, the pill, which is roughly the size of a vitamin capsule, was placed in the stomachs of ten patients at the West Virginia University Sleep Evaluation Centre. Over 57 hours of data was collected and analyzed.
The results were impressive, with the sensor pill demonstrating an accuracy rate of 92.7% in monitoring respiration rate and 96.2% in monitoring heart rate, when compared to standard wearable monitoring devices. This level of accuracy suggests that the pill could be a non-intrusive alternative for collecting accurate sleep data.
Traditionally, diagnosing sleep disorders required patients to spend the night in a sleep lab, attached to multiple sensors and machines. This new technology could potentially revolutionize the process by providing a less intrusive and more convenient way to gather important data.
FAQ
How does the sensor pill work?
The sensor pill, developed by Celero Systems, is ingested by the patient. It contains sensor technology in its circuit boards that can detect vibrations in the body. It wirelessly transmits the collected data to a computer for analysis.
How accurate is the sensor pill in monitoring vital signs?
According to the study, the sensor pill demonstrated an accuracy rate of 92.7% in monitoring respiration rate and 96.2% in monitoring heart rate when compared to standard wearable monitoring devices.
What are the potential benefits of using the sensor pill in sleep studies?
The sensor pill could provide a less intrusive and more convenient way to collect accurate sleep data. Patients would not need to stay overnight in a sleep lab or be attached to multiple sensors and machines, potentially making the process more accessible and comfortable.
What are the implications of this technology for diagnosing sleep disorders?
This technology has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of sleep disorders by offering a non-intrusive and efficient method of gathering important data. It could make sleep studies more accessible to a wider range of patients and streamline the diagnosis process.