Ingestible Device Takes Vitals For Remote Analysis

May the doctors of the future be able to take your vital signs remotely? That is the suggestion made by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) ingestible electronic device.

This device is intended to take readings like heart rate, breathing rate and core temperature via a device about the size of an almond. The device is made from all FDA approved materials and is safe for ingestion.

After identifying components that could be ingested, researchers designed the device using tiny microphones. These listening devices are similar to the ones used in cell phones. They allow medical professionals to extract heart and breathing data without ever touching the patient.

Taking vitals remotely can help be helpful for patients whom touching would not be ideal, such as, patients with burns covering much of their body.

In the above video, from MIT news, Albert Swiston and Giovanni Traverso discuss the device and its development.

Sources: MIT News