Ultrasound pill project receives £5million grant

The University of Dundee-led project aims to develop a capsule that can be easily swallowed and pass through the gastrointestinal tract, relaying images which clinicians can use to diagnose any problems. "The principal current method of examining problems within the gastrointestinal tract is endoscopy, which is very uncomfortable and requires a high level of clinical skill," said Professor Sandy Cochran, of the university's Institute for Medical Science and Technology. "So called 'pillcams' are a developing area of medical technology which have already benefitted more than one million patients. What we want to do is develop that technology further to include ultrasound, for the first time seeing beyond the surface of the gastrointestinal tract into the tissue itself. This will bring significant diagnostic benefits for patients. We also want to explore treatment with such pills." The 'Sonopill' project includes collaborators at Heriot Watt University and the University of Glasgow. The grant is being announced as part of a £47m investment in leading engineering research projects.