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Researchers at Smartpill Corporation say their GI Monitoring device, version 2.0 will allow physicians to diagnose and treat patients suspected of suffering from delayed gastro paresis, or delayed stomach emptying, and chronic constipation more efficiently with the help of real-time monitoring and a wireless capsule not much larger than a multi-vitamin.

The process begins when the capsule is swallowed and then switched on using a powerful magnetic system, which can transmit data on GI processes remotely through a receiver worn by the patient. Pressure, pH and temperature are monitored as the device passes through the GI tract, in addition to time elapse for gastric emptying, and periods of transit for the whole gut, and small and large bowels.

President and CEO David Barthel tells DOTmed News he hopes the innovation will help patients who have struggled for years with dietary restrictions and GI testing without a diagnosis. "It will provide answers," says Barthel, "It (the device) deals with motility disorder, which is difficult to diagnose, and it will provide direction therapy. It may or may not involve changing eating. Most patients have already done so before they come for treatment."

The single-use capsule makes its way through the intestines using the normal rhythm of the intestinal muscles. It is capable of transmitting data for up to five days, although it is usually excreted by patients within one to two days. Once the capsule has passed through the body, the data receiver, which can be worn clipped to a patient's belt, or a lanyard around the neck, is returned to the physician for downloading and further analysis.

The development also allows flexibility for physicians, who are able to download findings within 10 minutes and analyze results with or without the patient present. According to researchers, the capsule also has the capacity to one day replace current procedures used to treat GI disorders, including gastric emptying scintigraphy, commonly used to track how food is ingested and moved through the body. Scintigraphy typically takes four hours once it is started, and Barthel is optimistic the time-saving monitoring system will catch on. "Well you hope so," he says, "there are four to five million patients that suffer from chronic constipation per year."

Barthel says the next step will be clinical trials to support findings that the monitoring system can aid the diagnosis of other GI disorders. He notes, "Irritable bowel syndrome also affects 20 to 30 percent of Americans, and has no known diagnostic markers or treatment today."

The monitoring system will be available to physicians, private practices, university hospitals, research centers and private industry in the U.S. in January 2010.