Philips Develops Intelligent Pill

AMSTERDAM(Reuters) – Dutch group Philips has developed an "intelligent pill"that contains a microprocessor, battery, wireless radio, pump and adrug reservoir to release medication in a specific area in the body.

Philips, one of the world’s biggest hospital equipment makers, saidTuesday that the "iPill" capsule, measures acidity with a sensor todetermine its location in the gut, and can then release drugs wherethey are needed.

Delivering drugs to treat digestive tract disorders such as Crohn’sdisease directly to the location of the disease means doses can belower, reducing side effects, Philips said.

While capsules containing miniature cameras are already used asdiagnostic tools, those lack the ability to deliver drugs, Philips said.

The "iPill" can also measure the local temperature and report it wirelessly to an external receiver.

The company plans to present the "iPill" at the annual meeting ofthe American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) in Atlantathis month.

The iPill is a prototype but suitable for serial manufacturing, Philips said.

(Reporting by Niclas Mika; Editing by Greg Mahlich)