MIT Engineers Develop Tiny Ingestible Pill for Internal Temperature

Detecting variations as minute as 0.01 degrees Celsius, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed an ingestible pill set to revolutionize body temperature measurement. This tiny device, described by its creators as "blueberry-sized," continuously transmits core body temperature updates directly from the gastrointestinal tract, addressing limitations of traditional thermometers.

The device's extreme miniaturization is one of its most striking features. Measuring just 6 millimeters in diameter and 4 millimeters in height, this sphere is significantly smaller than existing ingestible sensors, which are typically the size of a multivitamin. This reduction in size is critical for patient safety, drastically lowering the risk of intestinal obstructions.

"We want something so small that the risk of any blockage is completely mitigated," explained Giovanni Traverso, an MIT professor of mechanical engineering and a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Achieving this record-breaking size required the MIT team to completely redesign the internal components. They developed a custom circuit on a silicon chip measuring just 1 square millimeter. Powering this miniature system is a 1.55-volt button battery, similar to those found in watches, yet it boasts an incredibly low energy consumption of only 10 nanowatts.

The key to its efficient operation and communication lies in a clever "backscattering" strategy. Instead of the sensor expending energy to send powerful signals, an external antenna positioned near the patient emits radio waves. The sensor then modulates these waves, reflecting them back with the thermal information, enabling a temperature reading every second.

The potential applications for this micro-thermometer are extensive, particularly in clinical settings. MIT researchers envision its use in immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, for early detection of infections. It could also prove invaluable for individuals under anesthesia, who often lose the ability to regulate their body temperature and face a risk of hypothermia.

Beyond the hospital, the device's utility expands significantly. The sensor could identify subtle thermal changes linked to ovulation, providing a precise tool for fertility monitoring. Furthermore, it could help manage thermal stress in extreme conditions, like during a 2026 World Cup match, or offer continuous, non-invasive fever monitoring for children.

The device has already undergone successful testing in animals, demonstrating accuracy both at rest and during movement. The next challenge for the team, led by Saransh Sharma and Giovanni Traverso, involves integrating additional sensors to measure other vital signs, such as heart rate, before commencing human clinical trials "in the coming years."

Giovanni Traverso of MIT remains optimistic about the future of this technology. He believes this development has the potential to replace all current thermometers by providing the most accurate internal data. "If we have miniature systems that can be easily swallowed and offer superior data, this will be of great help in many aspects," the expert concluded.