Tiny Sensors May Soon Monitor Seniors’ Medicines From Inside

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PracticeManagement/InformationTechnology/49151?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2014-12-17&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines&utm_source=ST&eun=g578717d0r&

Managing real and potential medication conflicts and confusions is more pressing as 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day, and 90% suffer at least one chronic illness. Many boomers are now swallowing a cocktail of medications prescribed by various specialists: pain medicines for aching backs, antidepressants, proton pump inhibitors to control gastric distress, vitamins, and other over-the-counter supplements.

With families sometimes far away and many older people unable to afford personal caregivers, companies have searched for a technological solution to monitoring medicine.

Forget armband monitors like Fitbit; the newest body monitors are as tiny as BBs. These so-called nanomeds, miniscule sensors embedded in a placebo pill that you swallow, set up shop in your gut. As they slowly work their way through your system, these “ingestibles” — which are actually not digested — are switched on by contact with saliva and/or gastric juices. The signal is picked up by another sensor which looks like a Band-Aid and is worn on your chest.

This system records medicine intake as well as other measures such as heart rate. The information shows up on your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth and can automatically go to your doctors, family members, or caregivers, with your permission.

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