Electronic Drug-delivery Pill

This small electronic device can be used to dispense any drug that requires frequent dosing or ones that are better absorbed in the small and large intestines. The smart capsule-sized device has an electrical compartment and one or multiple drug compartments, coated with a polymer that withstands the gastrointestinal tract's acidic conditions.

For one-time dosage, the pill can be activated by a magnetic belt worn by the patient, positioned on the correct section of the gastrointestinal tract. For multiple doses, drug molecules are loaded into the device's arms, which are made of a rigid polymer. Each arm is attached to a rubber-like core, releasing doses individually, allowing patients to take a whole treatment in one pill, and the whole pill is designed to break down. Another model is coated with tiny needles that can inject drugs directly into the lining of the stomach after the capsule is swallowed, potentially substituting injections, such as insulin. After the treatment is done, any remaining part of the pill is excreted.

The pill is also equipped with sensors that make sure the drug is released at the correct time. This information is then sent to a patch or a wearable device, along with other vital signs data.