Ingestible biosensor marks future of medicine
Belgian Imec researchers have presented a prototype of an ingestible sensor for long-term gut health monitoring that is able to measure acidifidation that is linked to gut inflammation.
Leuven-based nanoelectronics hub Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (Imec) will present a highly miniaturised ingestible sensor, live on 20 May at ITF World 2025. The sensor prototype, developed at OnePlanet Research Center, is three times smaller than current capsule endoscopies and the first to provide redox balance measurements. This can provide insights into intestinal inflammation, the gut microbiome, and overall health, representing a significant leap forward in the non-invasive monitoring of gut health and management of gastrointestinal diseases.
The gastrointestinal (GI) barrier function plays a vital role in nutrient absorption, immune function, and the prevention of harmful substances from entering the body. However, monitoring gut health has been challenging due to the complexity and inaccessibility of the GI tract. Traditional methods, such as endoscopy and colonoscopy, cannot provide a comprehensive view of the entire GI tract and are inherently unpleasant procedures. Capsule endoscopies, on the other hand, while currently used for diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease through visual inspection, also require unpleasant bowel preparation. Moreover, current solutions lack sensors to measure the chemical environment.
As a solution, Imec is set to present a highly miniaturized ingestible sensor, offering a comprehensive and non-invasive solution for in vivo gut health monitoring. The sensor, only 2.1cm in length and 0.75cm in diameter and thus three times smaller than existing capsule endoscopies, is designed to measure redox balance, pH, and temperature along the entire gastrointestinal tract. During the demonstration, Aniek Even, a researcher at imec, will swallow the ingestible sensor, after which real-time measurements are shown on a screen, highlighting its ease of use and practical application.
“Our ingestible sensor technology was successfully evaluated in healthy volunteers in a study conducted with Wageningen University & Research, providing the first-in-human measurements of redox balance along the gut,” she says. “By providing real-time data on redox balance, the sensor can help identify oxidative stress, a marker for inflammation, and offer new insights into the gut microbiome and its role in overall health. Our small and easy-to-use device could revolutionize the way we diagnose and manage gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancers.” The sensor can take measurements every 20 seconds over a period ranging from 24 hours to a week, depending on the individual’s gut motility.
Looking ahead, the researchers aim to evaluate the sensor in patient populations, with follow-up trials in collaboration with Radboud University Medical Center focusing on patients with cancer or chronic inflammation, as well as trials with other universities and clinical centers. The team welcomes opportunities from other institutions to incorporate the ingestible into diverse clinical trials, further advancing innovation in healthcare.
