Seminar III: Microelectronic Pill

Presented By:
Debraj Sadhukhan Stream: E.C.E (3rd year) Class Roll: 39 University Reg: 092590110008 University Roll: 09259003040

Brief Discussion:

Introduction: Our Body is a sensitive system. Many times even doctors are not able to interpret the disease. Thus
it becomes too late to cure it. To remove these problem scientists discovered electronic capsule in 1972. Use of discrete and relatively large components, poor reliability, short lifetimes & low sensitivity makes it outdated. To overcome all these problems Professor Jon Cooper and Dr Erik Johanessen from Glasgow University, U.K has led to the development of a modern microelectronic pill. When Microelectronic pill is swallowed, then it will travel through the Gastro Intestinal Tract & simultaneously perform multi-parameter in situ physiological analysis. It records parameters like temperature, pH, Conductivity, & Dissolved Oxygen in real time. After completing its mission it will come out of the body by normal bowel movement. The pill is 16mm in diameter & 55mm long weighing around 5 gram.

Technical Description: A Microelectronic capsule consists of: 1.Control chip 2.Radio Transmitter 3. 2 Silver
Oxide Cells and 4.Biocompatible Capsule Encasing Micro-sensor. The Micro-sensor includes: 1.Silicon diode 2. 3 Electrodes Electrochemical Cell 3. Direct Contact Gold Electrode and 4. Ion Selective Field Effect Transistor (ISFET). The Control Chip is the control unit that connects together other components of the micro-system. The radio transmitter sends the signal to a nearby receiver from within the body. The Silver Oxide Batteries provides the power needed for the operation of various parts. The Silicon Diode measures the body core temperature. The three electrode electrochemical cell detects the level of dissolved oxygen in solution in the GI tract. Direct Contact Gold Electrodes measures conductivity in the GI tract. The ISFET measures pH. It can reveal pathological conditions associated with abnormal pH levels.

Conclusion: It is being beneficially used for disease detection & abnormalities in human body. Therefore it is
also called as MAGIC PILL FOR HEALTH CARE. Micro Electronic Pill utilizes a programmable Standby Mode; So Power consumption is very less. Very small size, high sensitivity, good reliability and life time along with zero noise interference has made it very much suitable for practical applications. But, Microelectronic Pills are expensive & are not available in many countries. Still its size is not digestible to small babies. Further researches are being carried out to remove its draw backs.