Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Philips Develops Intelligent Pill

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch group Philips has developed an "intelligent pill" that contains a microprocessor, battery, wireless radio, pump and a drug reservoir to release medication in a specific area in the body.

Philips, one of the world's biggest hospital equipment makers, said Tuesday that the "iPill" capsule, measures acidity with a sensor to determine its location in the gut, and can then release drugs where they are needed.

Delivering drugs to treat digestive tract disorders such as Crohn's disease directly to the location of the disease means doses can be lower, reducing side effects, Philips said.

While capsules containing miniature cameras are already used as diagnostic tools, those lack the ability to deliver drugs, Philips said.

The "iPill" can also measure the local temperature and report it wirelessly to an external receiver.

The company plans to present the "iPill" at the annual meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) in Atlanta this month.

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My contacts were dry when I first saw the title, and I saw "intelligence" pill.  I thought that all of our societal problems were over!  But alas, it's only an "iPill" that plays music in your gut or something.  Still kinda cool.

11 comments:

  1. Sorry to those who tried to view the failed post and commented on it.

    I tried to fix it multiple times and each time I only made it worse. Too bad the damn "iPill" isn't an intelligent pill! I'd sign up for the clinical trials.

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  2. If you stick it up your butt does it suck your brains out?

    And what happens when someone overdoses on them and discovers the universal theory of everything. All researchers will be out of a job.

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  3. I suppose that would depend on where your brains are.

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  4. I can barely manage my iPhone and iPod. Now I have to worry about an iPill.

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  5. I thought this post was gonna be about nootropics. ='(


    check out the *-ractem family of compounds, i.e. Piracetam.

    Secret to my success =)

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  6. So if I have a crappy insurance plan, does that mean I only get one and have to "recycle" it?

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  7. I was tired when I read the title and was pretty sure it said something about Dr. Phil and intelligent - then I knew I had to read it again. I may have to leave my reading glasses by the computer.

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  8. Don't want to sound like a know-it-all, but we've had pills that'll play music in your guts for years. They're called "Refried Beans".

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  9. Jack, I was gonna respond to your post about nootropics last night, but I forgot.

    As to the secret of your success...I thought it was propping up a box on a stick, tying a string to the stick, stuffing cash under the box, and then hiding behind a tree. Once one of us greedy doctors came along and dove under the box to grab the cash, you simply pulled the string and trapped us. Of course none of would ever consider letting go of the cash long enough to push the box off and run!

    But what you're REALLY saying is that you take drugs that allow you to outsmart us!?! I've dealt with enough recruiters that I've long suspected as much. ;)

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  10. Can we put the intelligence pills in the water supply in order to eliminate the Democrats?

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  11. Er85,



    ...... wanna make up to $300/hr?


    *Hides behind tree*

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