A potentially revolutionary Australian invention promises easier diagnosis and treatment for bowel syndromes - the Atmo Gas Capsule.

Bowel syndromes, notorious for causing a range of symptoms including gut pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, and weight loss, have baffled medical professionals for years. 

Conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) share these symptoms, making accurate diagnosis and effective treatment a formidable challenge.

The current diagnostic methods are far from ideal, often involving invasive procedures and complicated interpretation. Patients are subjected to sedation for endoscopic examinations, which come with the risk of sample contamination. 

On the other hand, breath tests, used to detect hydrogen and methane gases produced by gut bacteria or carb digestion issues, struggle to pinpoint the exact source of these gases within the lengthy, convoluted gut.

Enter the Atmo Gas Capsule. 

Patients simply swallow the capsule, allowing it to traverse their entire gastrointestinal tract while meticulously measuring hydrogen and carbon dioxide levels at various points. 

Early research indicates that this capsule is nearly twice as accurate as breath tests in diagnosing SIBO.

The Atmo Gas Capsule also serves as a chronometer for food transit through the digestive system. 

By recording its journey from ingestion to exit, it offers vital data that can aid doctors in diagnosing food transit disorders linked to IBS and SIBO.

Comparing this innovation to its American counterpart, Medtronic's SmartPill, reveals promising alignment in data when both capsules are ingested by patients. 

This alignment is currently being scrutinised in a pivotal clinical trial featuring 120 subjects in the United States and Australia. 

Success in this trial would pave the way for FDA approval, the gateway to the lucrative US market, with subsequent plans to secure approval from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Beyond its diagnostic prowess, the Atmo Gas Capsule also wields the potential to revolutionise dietary assessments. 

In a recent study, it tracked the gas production changes in patients with IBS as they consumed different types of dietary fibre. 

This ability to pinpoint shifts in fermentation locations and intensities within the colon holds promise for dietitians and doctors aiming to alleviate IBS symptoms.

Furthermore, this device might shed light on the enigmatic gut microbiome's impact on the human immune system and brain, extending its potential applications far beyond IBS and SIBO.

Atmo Biosciences' journey towards innovation is fueled by the support of two MRFF-funded programs, with grants totaling $963,310. 

Their participation in the ANDHEALTH+ digital health program has also played a pivotal role in their development. 

The injection of funding has not only bolstered their credibility but has also facilitated successful private funding rounds, raising a substantial $8 million in 2023 from existing and new shareholders.