The invention of devices and sensors that can be ingested to carry out a variety of medical treatments has significantly advanced the field of medical technology over recent years.

These “ingestible sensors” are small enough to be ingested like a tablet and are used in medicine to monitor vital signs, diagnose diseases, and deliver medications to particular areas of the body.

Below are some medical techniques that can be done by ingesting a device or sensor.

Ingestible Sensor Uses

Endoscopy

With the help of a small camera attached to a long, flexible tube, doctors can examine the digestive system during an endoscopy.

Without the need for an invasive operation, ingestible endoscopic tools can capture detailed images of the digestive system.

Monitoring Vital Signs

Vital indicators such as temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate can also be monitored using ingestible sensors.

As the sensor passes through the digestive system, it gathers data and sends it wirelessly to a device outside the body.

Diagnosing Diseases

Medical issues can be detected with ingestible sensors.

A sensor that detects blood in the digestive tract, for example, can be used to diagnose colon cancer, whereas a sensor that monitors pH levels can identify acid reflux.

Drug Delivery

Drugs can also be administered to particular bodily areas using ingestible sensors.

These sensors can be set to release medication at fixed times, ensuring that the medication reaches its destination.

Conclusion

There are still problems that need to be addressed even if ingestible sensors show significant potential in the healthcare industry.

Making sure the sensors are secure and do not harm the patient is one of the main challenges. There are also problems with the cost and accessibility of these devices.

Besides these difficulties, ingestible sensor research has the potential to completely change how we approach medical procedures.

Conventional invasive procedures might soon be a thing of the past thanks to continued research and development.