What is the new smart pill developed by IIT Delhi?

It's a swallowable pill designed to collect microbiome samples directly from the human intestine without invasive procedures.

When will the smart pill undergo human trials?

Human trials for the smart pill are scheduled to begin soon.

How does the smart pill identify gut microbes?

The pill uses advanced nanopore sequencing technology for precise identification of gut microbes down to the species level.

Home / Health / Smart Pill Explores Human Gut Without Probes

Smart Pill Explores Human Gut Without Probes

14 Jan

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Summary

A swallowable smart pill collects microbiome samples directly from the intestine.
Human trials for the pill are scheduled to begin soon.
The pill uses nanopore sequencing for precise microbe identification.

Smart Pill Explores Human Gut Without Probes

A groundbreaking swallowable 'smart pill' is set to transform the study of the human gut microbiome. Developed by researchers at IIT Delhi and AIIMS New Delhi, this device can collect biological samples directly from the intestine without invasive procedures like endoscopy. This innovation is poised to offer a more accurate understanding of the gut ecosystem, which profoundly influences digestion, immunity, metabolism, and mental health. The pill has successfully undergone experiments in rats and is preparing for human trials.

The smart pill, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is designed to travel naturally through the digestive system. It autonomously collects site-specific samples from the intestine, including the challenging-to-access small bowel, and is then naturally expelled. Researchers demonstrated that this process causes no injury and requires no external guidance, marking a significant leap in minimally invasive diagnostic technology. Findings were published in the Wiley Online Library.