Bloomington, Ind. — Cook Medical is now distributing the PillSense™ GI Bleed Detection System in the United States. PillSense™ is a novel device that can detect upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients in under 10 minutes. Cook is constantly changing and adapting to continuously offer new technologies, and PillSense is the latest addition to Cook’s comprehensive portfolio of GI bleed management solutions.
Gastrointestinal bleeding accounts for 6-7% of all medical admissions, with over half a million admissions annually.1 2 A retrospective analysis found 66% of patients admitted with suspected upper GI bleeding showed no blood present at the time of endoscopy.3
The PillSense GI Bleed Detection System was designed to help clinicians efficiently triage and prioritize patients with suspected GI bleeding, confirming bleeds in hemodynamically stable patients. This allows for a more efficient use of critical healthcare resources.
The PillSense GI Bleed Detection System comprises a reusable receiver and a single-use ingestible capsule that detects the presence of blood in the upper GI tract. PillSense is the first FDA-approved ingestible blood detection system that offers rapid and accurate results, enabling healthcare providers to detect upper GI bleeding in under 10 minutes. A patient swallows the capsule, and as the capsule travels through the upper gastrointestinal tract, it transmits data to the handheld receiver that will display a simple and definitive result.
PillSense has multiple advantages. As clinicians use PillSense, they will find that:
- It’s accurate. Using light-absorption technology, PillSense delivers accurate results with 93% sensitivity and 91% specificity.4
- It’s fast. The capsule transmits real-time diagnostics to the receiver with results available in under 10 minutes.
- It’s easy to use. There’s no need to prepare the patient and it can be administered by a healthcare provider without any specialized training. The receiver displays a clear “Blood Detected” or “No Blood Detected” message with no image interpretation needed.
“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 director of global marketing in Cook’s MedSurg division.
“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.
In May 2024, Cook Medical entered into a strategic distribution agreement with EnteraSense, the manufacturer behind PillSense. Starting in October 2024, Cook will be managing sales, marketing and distribution activities for PillSense across the United States. Healthcare providers can now access the PillSense™ GI Bleed Detection System through Cook’s well-connected network of sales reps to bring this technology to more hospitals. Distribution agreements, like this one with EnteraSense, are milestones in Cook‘s five-year plan to continue fostering partnerships and diversifying product offerings.
To learn more about PillSense, contact your local Cook Medical representative.
PillSense is manufactured by EnteraSense Ltd. PillSense is a trademark of EnteraSense Ltd.
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we invent, manufacture and deliver a unique portfolio of medical devices to the healthcare systems of the world. Serving patients is a privilege, and we demand the highest standards of quality, ethics and service. We have remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees and our communities.
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[1] Laine L, Barkun A, Saltzman JR et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Upper Gastrointestinal and Ulcer Bleeding. AM J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(5): 899-9172.
[2] Peery AF, Crockett SD, Murphy CC, et al. Burden and Cost of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Diseases in the United States: Update 2021. Gastroenterology. 2022;162(2):621-644.
[3] Ryan k, Malacova E, Appleyard M et al. Clinical utility of the Glasgow Blatchford Score in patients presenting to the emergency department with upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A retrospective cohort study. Emerg Med Australas. 2021;33(5):817-825
[4] Akiki K, Mahmoud T, Alquaisieh M, et al. A novel blood-sensing capsule for rapid detection of upper GI bleeding: a prospective clinical trial. Gastrointest Endosc. 2024;99(5):712-720.