FDA Approves Ingestible Monitors For Patients

Again, one of the new evolving technologies is the use of digestible sensors that can report medication adherence and vital signs.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the approval of a device marketed by Proteus Digital Health, Inc. – an Ingestion Event Marker (IEM).  The device transmits information directly from the patient to computers which monitor such areas as medication adherence and then, provides medical professionals with assistance in customizing care.  These devices are also not “huge pills”.  Rather, they are about the size of a grain of sand and can actually be put inside of a pill or other consumable item.  Powering the device comes from the body’s own natural stomach fluids which provide the energy for powering the device.  Incredible!  It’s the wave of the future.  Over the next decade, the use of similar implantable or ingestable devices is going to explode in healthcare delivery.