Overview
- Developed by researchers at Mass General Brigham and MIT, the ingestible device uses pH-activated luciferase to illuminate intestinal tissue and gauge perfusion.
- In nine pig studies, the capsule achieved 98% sensitivity and 85% specificity for acute mesenteric ischemia, yielding 90% overall accuracy.
- The system wirelessly transmits luminance data to an external device, offering a potential noninvasive triage tool for emergency settings.
- Acute mesenteric ischemia is uncommon in abdominal pain presentations but carries an estimated 55% mortality, partly due to delayed diagnosis.
- Authors note the technology remains preclinical and will require human safety and efficacy trials as well as regulatory review before clinical use.