Researchers are developing an artificial intelligence tool for toilets that could help analyze patient stool.
The technology could give gastroenterologists the information they need to provide appropriate treatment for chronic issues such as inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
“Typically, gastroenterologists have to rely on patient self-reported information about their stool to help determine the cause of their gastrointestinal health issues, which can be very unreliable,” says Deborah Fisher, associate professor of medicine at Duke University and one of the lead authors of the study.
“Patients often can’t remember what their stool looks like or how often they have a bowel movement, which is part of the standard monitoring process,” Fisher says. “The Smart Toilet technology will allow us to gather the long-term information needed to make a more accurate and timely diagnosis of chronic gastrointestinal problems.”
An image analysis tool, installed in the pipes, could help prevent gastrointestinal health problems. AFP Relaxnews
American researchers have developed an artificial intelligence capable of analysing stools when they arrive in the pipes. This tool would enable better follow-up of patients suffering from intestinal disorders.
Daily stool tracking. This is the objective of a new technology presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2021, which took place from May 21 to 23.
The analysed data could allow gastroenterologists to improve patient management.
“Typically, gastroenterologists have to rely on patient self-reported information about their stool to help determine the cause of their gastrointestinal health issues, which can be very unreliable,” explains Deborah Fisher, professor of medicine at Duke University Durham in North Carolina and a lead author on the study.
Peter Dazeley via Getty Images
Your toilet could let you know all kinds of things about your bowel health.
Picture this: you sit on the toilet to go about your business, wipe and flush. An image is then sent to your doctor’s inbox – or an app on your phone – with a delightful close-up of last night’s lasagne.
This could be the future of diagnosing bowel issues, as researchers at Duke University in North Carolina have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can be added to a toilet to analyse the health of a person’s poo. Information captured can then be sent to gastroenterologists, who will be able to diagnose any issues and provide appropriate treatment.
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