The startup Endiatx is about to revolutionize medicine by offering a pill that images the inside of the human body in real time. Last Wednesday (26), engineer Alex Luebke demonstrated how the technology works live, swallowing the pill, called Pillbot, at a public event.
Using a PlayStation 5 controller, the company's co-founder, medical professor Vivek Kumbhari, guided the device inside Luebke's body, showing images of the esophagus and stomach.
The idea behind Pillbot is to provide an inside view of the human body without the need for surgical procedures. According to Luebke, despite improvements in technologies like X-rays and MRIs over the past 150 years, there has not yet been a practical, non-invasive way to see inside the human body.
Pillbot: A “Swallowable” Product to See the Human Body
The startup went through several development stages until it reached its current form. Initially, the prototype was the size of an American football.
Later, with studies and technological advancements, engineers were able to reduce the size of the device to a size that can be easily taken. According to reports, the pill does not cause pain or discomfort when taken, thanks to its small propellers that allow it to move through water without any problems.
The next step for Pillbot involves incorporating artificial intelligence, which will enable more efficient self-control. In other words, the pill will be able to map the entire inner surface of the stomach independently.
Endiatx intends to use this advanced technology to improve diagnosis and treatments of the digestive system, and revolutionize medical care using miniature robots in the human body.
Could it be a “theorization of the future”?
Endoscopy is a medical procedure used to view the inside of the human body and diagnose diseases. Therefore, there are several types of endoscopy, each adapted to a specific part of the body. For example, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, which helps diagnose problems such as ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux.
Colonoscopy, another common type of endoscopy, allows viewing of the large intestine and is essential for the prevention and diagnosis of colon cancer.
Bronchoscopy is used to examine the bronchi and lungs, being essential in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases. To explore the abdominal cavity, laparoscopy is used, which allows not only diagnosis but also to perform less invasive surgical procedures.
These traditional endoscopic procedures are very effective, but Belbot promises to be an addition to the medical arsenal, offering a less invasive and more comfortable alternative for patients.
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