Photo: ZN
Scientists from Belgium and the Netherlands have developed a tiny diagnostic capsule called GISMO, roughly the size of a Tic Tac mint, that could transform how intestinal diseases are detected. After being swallowed, the device travels through the digestive tract, analyzing the gut’s chemical environment every 20 seconds and transmitting data to a small receiver worn by the patient.
According to The Economist, the technology could help doctors identify health problems long before symptoms appear. In the future, similar capsules may even be able to deliver medication directly to affected areas of the body.
The human gut contains trillions of bacteria, and the substances they produce can reveal important information about a person’s health. However, obtaining such data has traditionally been difficult. While endoscopy and colonoscopy allow doctors to examine the digestive system, these procedures are invasive, uncomfortable, and often delayed by patients.
Earlier capsule-based devices such as PillCam revolutionized gastrointestinal imaging, but they are limited to capturing pictures. Many diseases, however, first appear through chemical changes rather than visible abnormalities. Variations in acidity, gas composition, or inflammatory biomarkers can signal disease before physical damage becomes apparent.
GISMO addresses this challenge by continuously monitoring chemical processes inside the intestines. Researchers believe it could detect inflammation, colorectal cancer, and other serious conditions at much earlier stages.
The capsule is currently being tested in patients with colorectal cancer and ulcerative colitis. The procedure is simple: patients swallow the capsule before breakfast, and it naturally exits the body a few days later.
The development builds on years of research into so-called “smart pills.” Previous experimental devices have measured gases such as oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, helping researchers better understand gut bacteria and their connection to diseases including stomach ulcers and cancer.
Scientists are now working toward an even more ambitious goal: capsules that can both diagnose and treat disease. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have already developed an experimental capsule capable of injecting drugs directly into intestinal tissue. The project has received significant support from the U.S. health research agency ARPA-H to explore future applications, including mRNA therapies and bioelectronic treatments.
One of the remaining challenges is power supply. Most current capsules rely on conventional batteries, which are not ideal for long-term monitoring. Researchers in Italy have begun developing fully edible electronic components, including batteries made from vitamin B2, plant compounds, seaweed, beeswax, and food-grade gold. They have also demonstrated edible transistors built from materials already used in products such as toothpaste.
Although significant engineering and regulatory hurdles remain, experts believe smart ingestible devices could eventually make gastrointestinal diagnostics faster, less invasive, and far more effective than many current procedures.
