What is SmartPillŪ Gastrointestinal (GI) Monitoring System and does it have any role in IBS?
Dr. Farhadi: The SmartPillŪ Gastrointestinal (GI) Monitoring System is an ingestible capsule which measures pressure, acidity and temperature as it travels through gastrointestinal tract. This information is transferred through wireless technology to a data receiver outside of the body and the data is recorded for evaluation by doctors. This information could be used to assess the gastric and intestinal motility, status of pH and temperature. This capsule is a single-use device and is excreted naturally from the body, usually within a day or two. The data receiver should be worn on a belt clip or a lanyard around patients neck. In addition, the data receiver may be removed for sleeping or bathing but should be kept within 5 feet of the patient. Currently the SmartPillŪ GI monitoring system has been only approved for evaluation of disturbed stomach motility (gastroparesis). However, the information obtained from this device may make it feasible to be used for evaluation of motility problem of other parts of the GI tract and particularly IBS. 2007-11-06 10:57:54