New Pill To Diagnose Medical Conditions Upon Ingestion

The VM Pill’s development shows the growing trend in mHealth technologies and their expanding applications. The Marcus Autism Center, a subsidiary of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, recently developed a tablet-based diagnostic tool for autism spectrum disorder. This tool uses a portable tablet to monitor children’s “looking behavior” as they watch videos of social interactions, providing clinicians with a personalized report and visualizations from the test. Similarly, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the ALS Therapy Development Institute have utilized wearable sensors to remotely measure motor functions in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). These sensors, worn on the wrists and ankles, provide data that is analyzed to create composite measures of motor impairment.

Future development plans for the VM Pill include the incorporation of technology to allow the device to remain in the stomach for a week and the creation of closed-loop systems capable of detecting apneic episodes and providing on-demand drug release. Such advancements could automate the detection and reversal of an opioid overdose. The VM Pill’s ability to monitor vital signs accurately in a non-intrusive manner has significant implications for conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and opioid overdoses, particularly given that many overdose incidents occur outside medical facilities where vital signs cannot be continuously monitored.

The collaboration behind the VM Pill involves significant commercial and research interests. Celero Systems has been imperative in developing and aiming to commercialize ingestible electronic devices like the VM Pill. Members of the research team, including Giovanni Traverso of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and MIT, are founders and board members of Celero Systems. This partnership is an excellent example of the correct combination of academic research and commercial application, with Mass General Brigham’s discoveries leading to numerous new companies that have driven scientific innovation and economic growth.