WAGENINGEN (Netherlands), MAY 19, 2025 — At its annual ITF World conference, where imec showcases cutting-edge advances in semiconductor technology, imec will present a live demonstration of an ingestible sensor prototype. Developed at OnePlanet Research Center, the sensor is three times smaller than current capsule endoscopes and is the first to measure redox balance, offering potential insights into intestinal inflammation and the gut microbiome. These findings mark a significant step toward non-invasive gut health monitoring, potentially reducing the need for uncomfortable endoscopic procedures.
The digestive tract plays a vital role in our overall health: it absorbs nutrients, supports immune function, and defends against harmful substances. Yet, its inaccessibility and complexity make continuous health monitoring extremely challenging.
Traditional diagnostic methods like endoscopy and colonoscopy are unpleasant and provide only snapshots in time. A more effective way to gather data from the gastrointestinal system is by letting a sensor follow the same path as food. This approach is already used in so-called video capsule endoscopy. These camera pills help physicians diagnose conditions like Crohn’s disease. However, they still require unpleasant preparations such as special diets and laxatives, and they lack the ability to measure the gut’s chemical environment.
At ITF World, imec will demonstrate a highly miniaturized sensor pill, measuring just 2.1 cm in length and 0.75 cm in width – three times smaller than current capsule endoscopes. Researcher Aniek Even from imec will swallow the pill live, with real-time data on redox balance, pH levels, and temperature displayed on a screen as the capsule travels through the gastrointestinal tract. Depending on the individual’s gut motility, the capsule performs measurements every 20 seconds. These data can reveal signs of oxidative stress, a possible indicator of inflammation, and the technology may also provide novel insights into the gut microbiome and its role in overall health.
The prototype is the result of years of research at imec into developing the building blocks of such a smart capsule: three stacked microchip sensors, a reference electrode, and an energy-efficient radio transmitter and antenna capable of sending data wirelessly through the body. All of this is integrated into an ultra-compact form to ensure the pill is easy to swallow.
Aniek Even: “Our ingestible sensor technology has been successfully evaluated in a study with healthy volunteers in collaboration with Wageningen University & Research. We are the first to carry out redox measurements in the human gut, a possible marker for local inflammation. After this study, I’m even more convinced that this small and user-friendly device could revolutionize how we diagnose and monitor gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel conditions and cancers.”
