Intelligent Pill Dispensing Internal Medication

Precise drug delivery technology research is a method to deliver a specific amount of medication or drugs, localized area within the human body. This type of drug delivery system has advantages compared to intravenously or by mouth taking medication: Tactically less medication is required otherwise more is needed to be administered orally or by injection to reach the objective problem. When a lower dose of medication can be directly infused into a specific area of the body, minimizes the potential or harmful side effects, including the risk of permanently damaging healthy tissue or organs, taking a larger dose. Increasing number of crohn's disease, colitis and colon cancer are more frequently diagnosis, and treated with drugs such as steroids, which cause adverse or unpleasant side effects. However, precise drug delivery technology would prove more effective, since traumatized side effects would be less. 1

Royal Philips Electronics a Dutch (Netherlands) electronic company (Diversified Health and well - being company) in 2001, received Food and Drug Administration approval for the first diagnostic camera pill 1: Capsulated pill that records (by video) observations of abnormalities traveling through the intestines, especially helpfully to pinpoint locations of internal bleeding. 3 In November 2008, researchers at Philips presented the next generation of the camera pill, called the "intelligent pill" (iPill), swallowed with food or water. 1: "The multivitamin-size "intelligent pill" also has a microprocessor in it and is designed to release its cargo of medicine at the specific spot in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract where it will do the most good, sparing the rest of the body from unnecessary exposure to the drug." 2 Besides "Intelligent pill' can release medication progressively over a longer period of time or multiple locations. 8The prototype 'Intelligent pill" invented by electric engineer Dr. Wael Badawy made from stomach acid - resistant plastic. 5

Philips Intelligent capsulated pill measures 11 x 26 mm, incorporates a microprocessor battery operated (Provide power for up to four hours.5), RF wireless transceiver (controlled unit outside the body),

ph sensor (Feeds information to the microprocessor which is programmed to discharged an electrical current to the pump, forcing medication down to a channel and dispensed out of the pill. 5), temperature sensor, drug reservoir (hold up to one ml (milliliter or 20 drops 4)) and fluid pump. 1 Duration of time the intelligent pill remains in the bod within one to three days and eliminated through bowl movement. 5

Intelligent Pill dispenses medication according to the amount of acidity or 'pH' level (measurement) within the intestinal tract, programmed within the microprocessor. The medication would not be released within the stomach because the cavity is highly acidic. Once the Intelligent pill passes through the stomach into the upper and lower intestines, ph level sharply decreases. When the acid level or 'pH' level falls to certain level, the 'iPill' releases medicine from its drug reservoir via a microprocessor controlled pump. Otherwise the medication from the 'Intelligent pill" can be released more accurately to a specific location by remote control determined by visual medical imaging devices such as endoscopy, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scans. "The accuracy of the amount of drug dispensed versus time was measured and found to be better than 0.8%. In addition, the capsule is designed measure local temperature, and report measurements wirelessly to an external receiver unit. " 1

When accurate amount of medication is dispensed by the "Intelligent Pill" prevent overdose of medication administered orally or intravenously which can damage the kidneys and liver.5 Intelligent Pill system has been verified through in-vitro testing ("which means some lucky folks have already swallowed them." 8) Philips is currently in discussion with drug makers, using it's pill on colon cancer and bowel inflammation patients. 2 Dr. Badawy expects within five years the "Intelligent pill" will be approved for human use. 5 Future development of the "Intelligent pill' will expand its operating capabilities between twelve to twenty-four hours. 5 Also, if thousands of "Intelligent pills" are produced, cost per pill could substantially be reduced to about $10 compared to as much as $1,000 a pill currently. 2

In November 2008, during the annual meeting (At the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA .7) of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Philips company will present information regarding the "Intelligent pill". 6

References:

1.) Philips' intelligent pill targets drug development and treatment for digestive tract disease - http://www.physorg.com/news145640874.html

2.) 'Intelligent pill' prototype delivers drugs where needed - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/12/BU59142KNB.DTL&feed=rss.business

3.) A doctors's new prescription: Swallow one camera-in-a-pill and call me in the morning - http://www.uihealthcare.com/news/pacemaker/2004/summer/camerainapill.html

4.) Ask a Scientist - Drops in ml - http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem00/chem00578.htm

5.) 'Intelligent pill' could be on sale within five years - http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem00/chem00578.htm

6.) Philip Develops Intelligent Pill - http://www.baselinemag.com/c/a/Infrastructure/Philips-Develops-Intelligent-Pill/

7.) SCOLR Pharma, Inc to Attend American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists - AAPS - Annual Meeting and Exposition - http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/11-12-2008/0004923840&EDATE=

8.) Philips' iPil Has CPU, Can Dispense Drug - http://news.digitaltrends.com/news-article/18389/philips-ipill-has-cpu-can-dispense-drugs