Abu Dhabi hospital launches swallowable capsule that detects internal bleeding in minutes

A major Abu Dhabi hospital has started using a pill-sized device that can detect internal bleeding within minutes of being swallowed. The technology could change how doctors diagnose one of the most common emergency conditions.

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City is now offering PillSense to patients across the emirate. The capsule uses light sensors to spot blood in the digestive system and sends data wirelessly to doctors. Results come back in under ten minutes, compared to hours with traditional methods.

How does it work?

The PillSense capsule works like a tiny medical scanner that patients swallow like a regular pill. Inside the digestive tract, it uses light absorption technology to detect blood in real time.

The process is straightforward:

• Patient swallows the capsule
• Device scans for blood as it moves through the upper digestive system
• Data transmits wirelessly to an external receiver
• Doctors get results within ten minutes

This replaces endoscopy procedures in many cases. Endoscopy involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera down the patient's throat - a process that's uncomfortable and takes much longer to arrange.

Why does it matter?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding sends thousands of people to emergency rooms each year. Doctors need to quickly determine which patients need immediate surgery and which can wait or go home.

The current process often involves hours of waiting, multiple tests, and sometimes invasive procedures that turn out to be unnecessary. During Sheikh Shakhbout's pilot program, PillSense helped doctors avoid immediate invasive procedures in 86% of cases.

For patients, this means:

• Faster diagnosis and less time in emergency departments
• Avoiding uncomfortable procedures when they're not needed
• Getting answers about their condition within minutes instead of hours

For doctors, the technology helps them make faster decisions in high-pressure situations and better prioritize the most serious cases.

The context

This launch is part of Abu Dhabi's broader push to become a global healthcare innovation hub. The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi is backing the expansion as part of efforts to create a data-driven health system.

"Abu Dhabi continues to lead in adopting innovations that directly enhance patient care and system performance," said Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi.

The technology also addresses a growing problem in emergency medicine worldwide. Emergency departments are often overcrowded, and faster diagnostic tools can help hospitals manage patient flow more effectively while improving care quality.

Dr Marwan Al Kaabi, CEO of Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, said the technology gives clinicians "rapid, reliable insights, allowing them to make informed decisions with confidence and ensure patients receive the right care at the right time."