The Rise of Ingestible Sensors: Transforming the Future of Healthcare

Abstract

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving with new innovations and technologies being introduced every day. One such technology that is gaining popularity and attention is smart pills. A smart pill is a complex product with several components working together to monitor the oral administration of a drug. Digital pills can significantly improve disease diagnoses, enable real-time monitoring, improve targeted drug delivery, and promote patient compliance. The healthcare sector is undergoing a transformation with the advent of ingestible sensors, which offer promising opportunities to advance gastroenterology research. These ingestible sensors can travel through the gastrointestinal tract and aid in the diagnosis of various diseases. The global market for digital pills and ingestible sensors is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the need for remote health monitoring, and advancements in technology, with projections reaching USD 3.29 billion by 2033. So, smart pills are expected to become increasingly prevalent in the future, with ongoing research and development focused on improving their accuracy, safety, and accessibility. This breakthrough opens the door to personalised and preventative treatment by offering vital information into gastrointestinal health, medication adherence, and disease diagnosis. This Review presents a comprehensive overview of the current and emerging smart pills.