Philips' intelligent pill has battery, CPU, radio
updated 04:25 pm EST, Tue November 11, 2008
Philips intros iPill
Electronics maker Philips, which is also one of the world's biggest hospital equipment providers, has announced the development of an intelligent pill that uses a tiny microprocessor, battery and wireless radio to control the also built-in medication reservoir, according to a Tuesday report. The purpose of the pill is to release the drug in a specific area of the body, with a sensor that gauges acidity in the stomach to determine its exact location.
This innovation will reduce side effects associated with too big of a drug dose, Philips said, making it efficient when treating digestive tract disorders such as Crohn's Disease. Bringing the medication closer to the source of the infection or virus means doses can be reduced. The Philips pill is also capable of measuring local temperature and report it wirelessly.
According to the company, the pill is ready for serial manufacturing despite being demonstrated just as a prototype. Philips will officially debut its intelligent pill example later this month at the annual American Assoctaion of Pharmaceutical Scientists meeting.
