My Journey in the Sonopill project started off as developing a subsystem level solution for wireless delivery of data and power. Introducing electronic devices into human body has challenges in terms of power and hence the requirement for wireless power transfer while for autonomous ingestible pill’s efficient wireless data transfer enables real time monitoring. 3 months down the line I realised that miniaturisation and modularisation of subsystems, for each modality from any of the ultrasound, optics, microwave ablation, translational, and pressure, pH and inertial measurements modalities, is key to any meaningful clinical tests. Although some of the modalities outlined above can be integrated into one capsule, it still requires research to have a single multimodal capsule, with all the modalities included in one.

Thus the challenge of the system for each modality relies heavily on effectively minimizing the footprint of the required complimentary circuitry for the various integrated circuits (ICs) and meaningful high density interconnections along with minimal volume requirements as well as ensuring proper functionality. Currently we have identified and designed the system level and subsystem architectures for each modality capsule and for a combination of at least 2 to 3 modalities in one capsule.  Yet another challenge is to keep overall power budget of the combined subsystems manageable with the combination of a battery and wireless power transfer.

In addition, in the last 5 months I have further enhanced my expertise in miniaturisation of high density PCB’s and high density interconnections (HDI), in order to fit the IC’s corresponding to each sub system along with their allied passive circuitry in to a high density PCB of 8.5mm in diameter. Each subsystem on each PCB is stacked with the help of further high density flex interconnections routing all the necessary analog, digital and power lines between the subsystems of each modality or a combination of two to three modalities.

To date by closely working with Marc, Sandy, Gerard, Vasileios, Ben, Julia, Sadeque and Holly, I have managed to design the wireless power subsystem in combination with at least three other modalities, completed the design of the complex associated PCB’s and I am currently proceeding into manufacturing and integration of components for the multimodal capsule's electronic systems. In the next two months we will realise and test this first set of multimodal capsules followed by clinical tests in the animal model. Finally, though with a number of technical challenges, this project has given me immense satisfaction as I believe the contributions the Sonopill team and I make will indeed contribute to enhance the diagnosis of diseases at increase affordability and at increased accessibility.

First published: 5 June 2017

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