evo4ata
25-03-2009, 02:13 PM
http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/files/articles/iPill.jpg
An ingestible electronic device kills cancer while sparing healthy tissue, doctors say that the iPill would be a welcome improvement for treating ailments such as colitis, Crohn’s disease and colon cancer, which afflict a combined 1.5 million Americans every year !
Inside the iPill
Drug supply
One third of the capsule is taken up by a reservoir that stores the drugs.
Fluid pump
A stepper motor drives a piston in the reservoir to dispense drugs through a tiny hole. Air or fluid in the surrounding intestine vents into the reservoir to keep the drugs flowing smoothly.
pH sensor
The pH sensor on the surface of the pill tells doctors where it is. The stomach has a pH of 1 or 2; the small intestine 5 or 6, decreasing along its length; and the colon about 4.
Thermometer
The thermometer records when the iPill enters the body—and when it leaves, 24 hours later.
Brains
Doctors program a microprocessor with the exact location, pH conditions and transit time at which the pill should release the drug.
Communication
A radio transmitter and antenna relay the pH and temperature data to an external computer so a doctor can monitor the pill’s progress and take control of drug delivery if anything goes wrong.
http://www.popsci.com/node/32791
An ingestible electronic device kills cancer while sparing healthy tissue, doctors say that the iPill would be a welcome improvement for treating ailments such as colitis, Crohn’s disease and colon cancer, which afflict a combined 1.5 million Americans every year !
Inside the iPill
Drug supply
One third of the capsule is taken up by a reservoir that stores the drugs.
Fluid pump
A stepper motor drives a piston in the reservoir to dispense drugs through a tiny hole. Air or fluid in the surrounding intestine vents into the reservoir to keep the drugs flowing smoothly.
pH sensor
The pH sensor on the surface of the pill tells doctors where it is. The stomach has a pH of 1 or 2; the small intestine 5 or 6, decreasing along its length; and the colon about 4.
Thermometer
The thermometer records when the iPill enters the body—and when it leaves, 24 hours later.
Brains
Doctors program a microprocessor with the exact location, pH conditions and transit time at which the pill should release the drug.
Communication
A radio transmitter and antenna relay the pH and temperature data to an external computer so a doctor can monitor the pill’s progress and take control of drug delivery if anything goes wrong.
http://www.popsci.com/node/32791