PillSense is a single-use ingestible capsule with a reusable receiver that detects blood in the upper GI tract. The device, manufactured by EnteraSense, helps clinicians efficiently triage and prioritize patients with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding, allowing providers to confirm bleeds in hemodynamically stable patients.
“EnteraSense is thrilled to partner with Cook Medical, a leader in the GI space, to make PillSense available to patients and hospitals across the United States. The PillSense GI Bleed Detection System is groundbreaking technology, is addressing a longstanding clinical need and is very synergistic with Cook Medical’s Innovative Hemostasis portfolio,” said Donal Devery, CEO of EnteraSense.
Cook Medical and EnteraSense entered a strategic distribution agreement in May 2024. Starting this month, Cook Medical will manage sales, marketing, and distribution activities for PillSense across the U.S.
More about PillSense
According to Cook Medical, PillSense is the first FDA-approved ingestible blood detection system with rapid and accurate results. It allows healthcare providers to detect bleeding in under 10 minutes. Patients swallow the capsule, and as it travels through the upper GI tract, it transmits data to a handheld receiver that displays a simple and definitive result.
The GI bleed detection device uses light-absorption technology to deliver accurate results with 93% sensitivity and 91% specificity, the company said. There is no need to prepare the patient as it can be administered by a healthcare provider without specialized training. The receiver displays clear results with “Blood detected” and “No blood detected” notifications without needing image interpretation.
“PillSense is a game-changer for both patients and healthcare providers. On a patient level, PillSense is a revolutionary product that allows for swift diagnosis, enabling prompt and appropriate care. It’s also revolutionary on a hospital level, enhancing patient management by enhancing risk stratification and optimizing resource allocation,” said John Devlin, a global marketing director in Cook’s MedSurg division.
Healthcare providers can access PillSense through Cook’s sales representatives.
