Researchers have engineered a sensor-embedded pill that can detect the location of disease, relaying data to a computer for analysis by artificial intelligence (AI).
The research, conducted by the Khan Lab at the University of Southern California's (USC) Viterbi School of Engineering, led by Associate Professor Yasser Khan, was published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science. The smart pill is being hailed as a breakthrough in disease detection, targeting specific locations and enabling early detection.
Inductive Coil Locates Sensor
Khan's team, along with the Institute for Medical and Translational Science (IMTS) at USC's Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience, placed a wearable coil that generates a magnetic field over a shirt. Simultaneously, a capsule containing the sensor is ingested. The coil's function is to determine the location of the pill.
The capsule contains microscopic biosensors tailored to detect specific predetermined diseases. It is coated with a "gas-selective optical sensor membrane," a material composed of electrons that alter their behavior in the presence of ammonia gas.
Ammonia Gas Marks Disease Presence
Inside the body, ammonia gas is a byproduct of the gut bacteria H. pylori. Elevated levels of the gas can indicate the presence of gastric ulcers, stomach cancer, or irritable bowel syndrome. "This gas is like a proxy for the gut and can be used as a mechanism to detect disease early on," explains Khan.
The sensor material was tested for biocompatibility in the gut environment, initially in liquids and later in a bovine intestine. With the coil, doctors can pinpoint the precise location of the disease. The collected data is transmitted to a computer, where AI analyzes and provides a diagnosis.
GPS-Like System for the Body
"It's like a GPS system for the inside of your body," said Khan. "The ingestible biosensor, combined with the small, wearable coil, provides a clear path toward personalized medicine."
While the pill has not yet been tested in humans, the team hopes to extend its capabilities beyond early detection of gastric ulcers, inflammation, and cancer, targeting brain health monitoring. "This could provide a non-invasive approach for detecting neurotransmitters related to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease," added Khan.
Summary:
Researchers at USC have developed an AI-enabled pill that can detect the location of disease in the body. The pill contains sensors that relay data to a computer, where AI analyzes it and provides a diagnosis. The pill's innovative design targets specific diseases and allows for early detection. The team aims to expand its use for monitoring brain health, offering a non-invasive approach to disease detection.