OR MAYBE EVEN A SQUID AND THOUGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT JUST MIGHT CHANGE MY LIFE. MAKES A DIFFERENCE. NO. WELL, HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS. RESEARCHERS AT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL AND MIT HAVE. AND IT MAY JUST SAVE YOUR HEALTH. THIS DEVICE, IT LOOKS PART UFO, PART EASTER EGG, HOLDS INCREDIBLE PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE. WHAT IS THIS? THIS IS AN INGESTIBLE ROBOTIC CAPSULE. AN INJECTION YOU CAN SWALLOW. SO WHAT THIS IS, IS A CAPSULE THAT IS ABLE TO GIVE A TINY INJECTION IN THE STOMACH. SO THERE ARE ORGANISMS THAT SELF ORIENT, LIKE THE LEOPARD TORTOISE, ONE OF THE CRITICAL FUNCTIONALITIES THAT WE WANTED TO IMPART IN THE LITTLE CAPSULE WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE BUSINESS END WAS IN TOUCH WITH TISSUE. REALLY INSPIRED BY SQUID, BY CEPHALOPODS AND SQUID, CEPHALOPODS USE JETZE TO MOVE AROUND IN THE WATER. AND SO WE SAID, WELL, MAYBE WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO USE A JET TO ESSENTIALLY ADMINISTER THE DRUG TO REMOVE ANY NEEDLES. HOW THE WAY THAT YOU CAN GENERATE JETZE IS EITHER BY HAVING A LITTLE SPRING THAT’S COMPRESSED, THAT’S BEHIND A LITTLE PLUNGER, AND THEN THAT SPRING ESSENTIALLY TRIGGERS AND PUSHES THAT PLUNGER VERY QUICKLY. THAT JET IS TRIGGERED BY THE HUMIDITY IN A PATIENT’S STOMACH. SO THE PLUNGER HERE IS HERE IN THIS SORT OF TEAL COLORED. AND THEN IN THIS GREEN SORT OF SECTION, THIS IS THE DRUG. AND THEN AT THE VERY TIP HERE YOU HAVE A SUGAR PLUG. SO A MATERIAL THAT DISSOLVES IN THE HUMID ENVIRONMENT USING NATURE’S INSPIRATION TO KEEP YOUR HEALTH ON TRACK. 50% OF THE POPULATION DON’T TAKE MEDICATION AS PRESCRIBED. I MEAN THAT’S INCREDIBLE. SO IF WE CAN MAKE A LITTLE DENT OR H
Digestible robotic capsule revolution, inspired by turtles and squid
Mass General Brigham and MIT research aims to make medication delivery easier
![WCVB logo]()
Updated: 3:49 PM EDT Jul 15, 2025
Editorial Standards ⓘ
Ever looked at a turtle — or even a squid — and thought, “You know what? That just might change my life”? Probably not. But here’s the good news: researchers at Mass General Brigham and MIT have had that thought — and their innovation could redefine the future of medicine. What is it? A Closer LookDr. Giovanni Traverso of MGB and MIT explains, “This is a digestible robotic capsule — essentially, it’s an injection you can swallow.”The capsule is designed to deliver an injection directly within the stomach, avoiding the need for traditional needles.Nature’s InspirationResearchers drew from two incredible creatures to deliver this breakthrough:Leopard Tortoise - Known for its ability to self-orient, ensuring that the “business end” of the capsule reliably makes contact with stomach tissue.Squid (Cephalopod) - Squids use jets to propel themselves through water. The research team adapted this jet mechanism to deliver medicine inside the stomach.How Does It Work?The mechanism might sound complex, but it’s brilliantly simple:A small spring and plunger system triggers the medicinal jet delivery.This process is activated when exposed to stomach humidity.A sugar-like plug, similar to candy cane consistency, dissolves in the humid environment, instantaneously releasing energy and activating the jet.Why It MattersMore than 50 percent of people don’t take medications as prescribed. This capsule is designed to remove barriers, making medication delivery easier, faster, and pain-free.
Ever looked at a turtle — or even a squid — and thought, “You know what? That just might change my life”? Probably not. But here’s the good news: researchers at Mass General Brigham and MIT have had that thought — and their innovation could redefine the future of medicine.
What is it? A Closer Look
Dr. Giovanni Traverso of MGB and MIT explains, “This is a digestible robotic capsule — essentially, it’s an injection you can swallow.”
The capsule is designed to deliver an injection directly within the stomach, avoiding the need for traditional needles.
Nature’s Inspiration
Researchers drew from two incredible creatures to deliver this breakthrough:
- Leopard Tortoise - Known for its ability to self-orient, ensuring that the “business end” of the capsule reliably makes contact with stomach tissue.
- Squid (Cephalopod) - Squids use jets to propel themselves through water. The research team adapted this jet mechanism to deliver medicine inside the stomach.
How Does It Work?
The mechanism might sound complex, but it’s brilliantly simple:
- A small spring and plunger system triggers the medicinal jet delivery.
- This process is activated when exposed to stomach humidity.
- A sugar-like plug, similar to candy cane consistency, dissolves in the humid environment, instantaneously releasing energy and activating the jet.
Why It Matters
More than 50 percent of people don’t take medications as prescribed. This capsule is designed to remove barriers, making medication delivery easier, faster, and pain-free.
