In their proof-of-concept study, the pill correctly detected gut inflammation about 78% of the time. The researchers estimate the device would cost less than 50 cents to make, making it a promising option for widespread, regular at-home use. Their findings are published in Device.

Currently, monitoring gut inflammation often requires unpleasant or expensive procedures like colonoscopies or sending stool samples to a lab—steps that can be difficult or cumbersome for many patients to do regularly.

“Millions of people around the world live with IBD, and many struggle with the burden of frequent, invasive monitoring,” said co-senior author Yuhan Lee, Ph.D., an investigator in the Innovative Biomaterials Lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), a founding member of the Mass General Brigham health care system.

“This paper introduces a simple and affordable solution: an ingestible ‘biosensor pill’ that could be swallowed, like any other pill. With further development and testing in humans, this swallowable sensor could help patients and doctors catch flare-ups earlier, adjust treatments more effectively, and ultimately improve quality of life without the hassle of stool handling or hospital visits.”