Swallowable Biosensor Pill Offers Non-Invasive Monitoring for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A novel ingestible biosensor pill offers a less invasive method for monitoring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This innovative device, known as PRIM (Pill for ROS-responsive Inflammation Monitoring), was developed through a collaboration between Mass General Brigham and the University of Toronto. The tiny capsule is coated with a special polymer that reacts to increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a chemical indicator of inflammation. When activated by elevated ROS, the capsule releases a blue dye visible in stool samples, signaling the presence of intestinal inflammation. Designed for stability in normal gut conditions, PRIM activates only during inflammatory episodes, providing a simple, cost-effective, and non-invasive alternative to traditional procedures like colonoscopies and stool sample analyses. The estimated production cost is approximately $0.38 per pill, supporting potential widespread home use. Preclinical trials involving laboratory tests and rat models of colitis demonstrated that PRIM accurately detected inflammation with 78% sensitivity and 72% specificity. The dye produced a clear signal in stool samples from inflamed rats, while healthy subjects ...