SensNews Nov 2017

19 Sensor100 November 2017 Ingestible Biosensor forTracking Opioid Use Following Acute Injury Opioids, such as oxycodone, are routinely prescribed for short-term pain management following pain-inducing injuries. However, their use is associated with the develop- ment of tolerance and addiction, due in part to dosage mismanagement by patients. Recently, the FDA approved the use of the first digital pill administered in combination with a prescription drug. Digital pills, which contain a biosensor plus a prescribed drug encapsulated in gelatin, can be ingested together to help track drug use patterns. Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston have reported, for the first time, the application of this novel technology to track oxycodone use in patients with acute fracture pain. The pilot study describes the outcome of 15 acute fracture patients who were prescribed oxycodone digital pills for pain management on an as-needed basis, and tracked for opioid ingestion over time. The ID-Cap digital pill system from eTectRx, a Newberry, Florida firm was used, which comprises a radiofrequency emit- ter and a gelatin capsule containing oxycodone. Release of the oxycodone from the capsule triggers activation of the emitter, which relays information to an external patch located on the patient’s abdomen, and subsequently to a reader that stores drug inges- tion data. Reported by: medGadget N ovember 28