Sensors News

Philips' sensor-filled iPill aims to treat digestive track diseases

Eight years after the first camera pill was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for diagnostic applications, Philips Research has developed and tested the iPill, an intelligent pill technology targeted at assisting drug development and enabling new therapies for debilitating and life-threatening digestive tract disorders such as Crohn's disease, colitis, and colon cancer.

The iPill is a 11 x 26 mm capsule (the same size as a camera pill) that has been designed to be swallowed and to pass through the digestive track naturally. It can be electronically programmed to control the delivery of medicine according to a pre-defined drug release profile.

Philips Research’s intelligent pill (iPill) for electronically controlled drug delivery is an 11 x 26 mm capsule that incorporates a microprocessor, battery, pH sensor, temperature sensor, RF wireless transceiver, fluid pump, and drug reservoir.

The iPill determines its location in the intestinal tract by measuring the local acidity of its environment. Distinct areas of the intestinal tract have distinct pH (a measure of acidity) profiles: the stomach is highly acidic, and upon exiting the stomach the acidity of the gut sharply decreases and then becomes progressively less acidic from the upper intestine onwards. Armed with this pH information and data about capsule transit times, the location in the gut can be determined with good accuracy. The iPill releases medicine from its drug reservoir via a microprocessor controlled pump, allowing accurate programmable drug delivery. In addition, the capsule is designed to measure local temperature and report measurements wirelessly to an external receiver unit.

The combination of navigational feedback, electronically controlled drug delivery, and monitoring of the intestinal tract promises to make iPill technology a valuable research tool for drug development. Examples of possible delivery profiles include a burst, progressive release, or a multi-location dosing.

“We foresee that technologies like the iPill, that combine electronics with diagnostic and therapeutic properties, will open up the possibility of targeting almost any kind of drug to a specific location in the intestinal tract,” says Henk van Houten, senior vice president of Philips Research and head of the Healthcare research program.

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Philips Research, a division of Philips Electronics

Sensors Products

Convert any conventional load cell into a digital USB load cell!

The new DI-1000 Digital Load Cell Interface from Loadstar Sensors provides an easy, convenient method to convert the millivolt output from a load cell into a PC-friendly digital USB output. Simply plug your load cell into one end of the DI-1000 and plug the other end into a PC. The DI-1000 is designed to work seamlessly with conventional resistive load cells and provides many key features to simplify the process of building a PC-friendly load measurement system:

Compatible with any PC running Windows XP or Vista
Calibrated output in simple ASCII format
View loads on-demand or in streaming mode
Command set for software integration
Optional wireless: Bluetooth or Zigbee
Optional LoadVUE software allows user to log and plot data

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Loadstar Sensors

New high-pressure/fatigue-rated pressure transducer

Stellar Technology’s Series GT320 and GT32XX pressure transducers incorporate a proprietary sensor design with innovative electronics to provide a new high-pressure/fatigue-rated pressure transducer with a standard accuracy of 0.25% and upgraded accuracy of 0.1%. With pressure ranges from 20,000 to 100,000 psi, these transducers are ideal for high-cycle and ultra-high-pressure applications like homogenizing, fuel injection testing, water jet cutting, and metal injection molding.

The GT320 offers mV/V output, and the GT32XX series provides high-level current or voltage outputs as well as digital outputs including CANbus, RS232, and RS485. Both products accommodate customer-specified process connections for high-pressure and electrical terminations. These products feature all-welded stainless steel construction, are shock and vibration protected, and have a zero-adjustment pot as a standard feature.

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Stellar Technology

Sensors, controls, and fluidic systems catalog

This new 336-page catalog features fluid level, flow, and pressure sensors; miniature solenoid valves; and proximity switches. The Sensors, Controls and Fluidic Systems catalog has numerous new additions, including electro-optic level switches, ultrasonic level sensors, and float-type level sensors. Also spotlighted are Warrick conductivity level and solid-state controls, high-accuracy pressure transducers, a complete line of solenoid valves, among others. In addition, customers will find updates to RotorFlow and TurboFlow sensors and SureSite indicators.

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Gems Sensors & Controls

Long-stroke position sensors

Designed to operate in rugged environments, the LP750 non-contacting long-stroke sensor delivers performance from 0-4 to 50 in. The series’ sensor technology can be used in place of failing potentiometers in a range of industrial position measurement applications, including machine tool positioning, hydraulic cylinder positioning, valve position sensing, and automatic assembly equipment. The sensors are constructed of stainless steel and are hermetically sealed. They are also designed to withstand high ambient temperatures.

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Macro Sensors

Closed-loop Hall effect current sensors

Tamura Corporation's S23P series of closed-loop Hall effect current sensors is designed to deliver fast response, galvanic isolation, and zero insertion loss. The sensors feature an integrated primary conductor designed to the industry-standard package and pin-out. The S23P series is rated for operation in the industrial temperature range (-40°C to 85°C). Models S23P50/100D15 and S23P50/100D15M1 are part of the series.

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Master Distributors

Pancake load cell with USB output

The newly designed LCF400 pancake load cell includes a USB digital interface. In addition to the USB output and metric threads capabilities, the LCF400 has structural changes and complete welding, intended to improve output symmetry and accuracy. The model is available in 500 to 5,000 lb and various outputs (3 mV/V, ±5 VDC, ±10 VDC, 4-20 mA). The product also features heat-treated 17-4 stainless steel construction. Other advantages include: zero-joint failure, low-impact due to extraneous loads, and the capability of handling off-center loading more efficiently and effectively.

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Futek Advanced Sensor Technology

Thermistors data book

The SMD PTC Thermistors Data Book features a range of components for protection, sensing, and thermal management. These thermistors can be used as limit temperature sensors in automotive applications, notebooks, battery packs, or lighting equipment. The products can also be used as resettable fuses to limit overcurrent in power supplies, low-voltage signal lines, or telecom equipment. Other uses include thermal management components in LED lights. The 78-page book contains an index of types, a handy selector guide, general technical information, data sheets, taping and packing information, mounting instructions, and additional information.

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Epcos

Contact-free DC-operated rotary position sensors

Macro Sensors introduces a new series of contactless, fractional-turn, rotary position sensors that provide an absolute output proportional to shaft rotation over a total range of up 120°. The RSE 1500 Series Rotary RVDT Position Sensors are ideal for measuring the angular displacement of rotating elements such as quarter-turn ball and butterfly valves, air flow dampers, mail sorters, and diverter gates used in packaging and postal sorting machinery. Units are also useful for other limited rotation applications requiring high reliability such as pedal position sensing for mobile equipment or throttle lever position sensing. Units can operate in 0° to 30°, 60°, 90°, or 120° rotation ranges.

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Macro Sensors

Sensors catalog and selection guide

Pepperl+Fuchs introduces their 2008-2009 North American Sensor Catalog and Selection Guide. This nearly 900-page resource details Pepperl+Fuchs’ complete family of capacitive, inductive, weld immune, special application, NAMUR, ultrasonic, and photoelectric sensors. It also includes amplifiers, counters, timers and controls, as well as cordsets and accessories. Complete product specifications, benefits, and ordering information are included. A selection guide aids in choosing the proper sensor for a given application.

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Pepperl+Fuchs

Limit controllers for simple on/off apps

Athena Controls, an industry-leading manufacturer of temperature/process controllers, temperature sensors, and related accessories, is now offering their Series 86 and 88 Limit Controllers as an economical solution for On/Off "Limit" Applications. Designed for quick and easy installation via fast-on lugs or terminal strips, these controllers are available with remote, local, or fixed setpoints, and case, din-rail, or snap-trak mounting options. Both controllers offer 20-A relay, high or low limits with auto or manual reset, Fahrenheit or Celsius readout, and sensor break protection for positive system shutdown.

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Athena Controls

Temp control goes global: Precision Snap Disc Thermostats

Fenwal Controls, a leading manufacturer of automatic gas ignition and temperature controls, offers global manufacture of its Series 08 Precision Snap Disc Thermostats while maintaining full product responsibility including design, performance, quality, and supply chain logistics under the Fenwal brand at their Massachusetts plant.

Fenwal's Series 08 Precision Snap Disc Thermostats are available as hermetically sealed stainless steel probes (Series 08-8X) or as surface mounting (Series 08-0X) with calibrated temperature settings from 35°F to 550°F (2°C to 288°C). These rugged devices feature a precise and repeatable snap-acting bimetallic disc as the actuating element and have silver contacts to assure long life. They are individually calibrated to meet both thermal and electrical characteristics.

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Fenwal Controls

Low-cost miniature load cell

The iLoad Mini sensor offers unprecedented simplicity and ease of use in a rugged, low-profile 1.25-in. diameter package and heights between 0.5 in. to 1 in., depending on the configuration. The separation of the load cell from the signal-conditioning interface board gives greater flexibility to designers and inventors who want to fit the sensor into small spaces.

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Loadstar Sensors