A team of scientists over at MIT have come up with a truly innovative way to tackle the global scourge of obesity in the form of a high-tech vibrating pill that is designed to be able to trick patients' stomachs into thinking they are full.
The Vibrating Ingestible BioElectronic Stimulator pill, or 'VIBES' for short, is essentially a capsule that is embedded with a special battery-powered motor. When the pill is swallowed and finds its way into the stomach, stomach acids work on a special membrane in order to activate the circuit and begin the vibration process, which lasts for around half an hour. The effect of vibrations on muscles results in the body being tricked into thinking the stomach muscles have stretched more than they actually have, which could help create the illusion of a full stomach and curb eating desires.
Appetite-Curbing Vibrating Pills
This Pill Stimulates the Stomach's Stretch-Sensitive Receptors
Trend Themes
1. Smart Ingestible Devices - Emerging trend of using technological advancements in ingestible devices to tackle health issues.
2. Obesity Management - Increasing focus on developing innovative solutions to address the global obesity problem.
3. Bioelectronic Medicine - Growing trend of using electronic devices to stimulate and interact with the body's natural processes.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare Technology - The healthcare technology industry can explore opportunities in developing smart ingestible devices for various medical applications.
2. Pharmaceuticals - Pharmaceutical companies could potentially tap into the market for innovative obesity management solutions, including vibrating pills.
3. Medical Research - Medical researchers can investigate the potential of bioelectronic medicine to develop groundbreaking treatments and interventions.