Medicine: Internal inspectors

A SWALLOWABLE capsule to detect gut disease from the inside could be on the menu soon, thanks to research at the Tyndall National…

A SWALLOWABLE capsule to detect gut disease from the inside could be on the menu soon, thanks to research at the Tyndall National Institute. The device is being developed to pick up signs of inflammatory bowel disease as it travels through the intestine, then transmit the results wirelessly to a receiver, explains Dr Karen Twomey from the molecular microsystems group. A research prototype has been made with hopes to move it towards the clinic within five years.

Claire O'Connell

Claire O'Connell

Claire O'Connell is a contributor to The Irish Times who writes about health, science and innovation