An "ingestible sensor" doesn't sound like the tastiest of snacks, but soon it might be just what the doctor ordered. A tiny microchip which activates upon contact with stomach acid has recently been given the green light by health regulatory agencies in the US and Europe. When the sensor is swallowed, an external patch picks up its signal and shoots a message over to whoever it's supposed to. The technology is aimed at tackling an issue known in the healthcare biz as compliance -- or, following instructions. Correct timing and dose are important for many drugs, and lax schedules can be responsible for treatment failures or the development of nasty drug-resistant bugs. Although the necessary trials used placebo pills, one pharmaceutical heavyweight has already bagged a license to the technology for real-world applications. If the thought of passing microchips is troubling you more than the thought of eating them, no need to worry -- the kamikaze sensors dissolve in your stomach shortly after completing their mission.
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