A robotic drug capsule can deliver drugs to the gut, according to a new study. The capsule, which is about the size of a pea, contains a small pump that is controlled by a computer. The pump is activated when the capsule reaches the stomach, and the computer then delivers the drug to the intestines.
The capsule is equipped with sensors that detect when it has reached the stomach, and the pump is only activated when the capsule is in the stomach. This ensures that the drug is only delivered to the intestines, and not to the stomach or esophagus.
The capsule is made of biodegradable materials, so it will eventually dissolve in the stomach.
The study was conducted on rats, and the results were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
The developers of the capsule say that it could be used to deliver drugs to the gut for a variety of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease.
The capsule is still in the early stages of development, and it will likely be several years before it is available for use in humans.
Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have designed a robotic capsule that can travel through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to deliver drugs directly to the gut. The capsule is made from biocompatible materials and is approximately the size of a pea. It is equipped with a tiny motor that propels it through the GI tract and a control system that allows it to navigate to specific locations within the gut.
The researchers envision that the capsule could be used to treat a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, the capsule could be used to deliver drugs that are poorly absorbed when taken orally, such as certain antibiotics.
The capsule is currently being tested in pigs. The researchers hope to begin clinical trials in humans within the next few years.
This new robotic capsule represents a potentially major advance in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. If proven safe and effective in humans, this capsule could dramatically improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people who suffer from these conditions.
