Alvum Smart Patch for Predictable IBD Flare-Up Detection

Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often means living with uncertainty. The unpredictability of flare-ups — which can occur suddenly and without warning — makes it difficult to plan daily life. Whether dealing with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, patients must constantly navigate between periods of remission and painful inflammation, unsure when symptoms will return.

This constant unpredictability affects more than physical health. It causes emotional stress, limits social engagement, and forces patients to build their lives around their condition. The lack of warning before flare-ups also means delayed treatment responses, which can lead to hospital visits and prolonged recovery.

Alvum offers a different approach. This compact, wearable sensor gives patients an early warning of IBD flare-ups — before symptoms even begin. By detecting biomarkers in passive sweat, Alvum alerts users through vibration, sound, and light, allowing them to respond in time, adjust their routines, and live more freely.

Real-Time Monitoring of IBD Biomarkers Through Eccrine Sweat

At the core of Alvum’s innovation is its ability to monitor key biological markers non-invasively. The patch collects eccrine sweat — which the body produces naturally throughout the day — and analyzes it using a chemical sensor strip embedded in a replaceable cartridge. This strip is engineered with antibodies that react specifically to interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), two biomarkers strongly linked to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis flare-ups, respectively.

When the concentrations of these interleukins rise, the antibodies on the sensor strip bind to them. This changes the electrical conductivity of the strip, which is measured by Alvum’s internal processor. Once the signal passes a set threshold, the device activates its alert system, well before visible symptoms appear.

Unlike blood tests or endoscopic procedures, this method doesn’t require clinic visits, needles, or lab analysis. The process is entirely passive, continuous, and painless — ideal for patients managing a lifelong condition.

Smart Wearable Design That Blends With Daily Life

Medical devices often feel like barriers between patients and normalcy, but Alvum is designed for discreet, everyday use. The patch is lightweight and compact, with a soft lining and flexible body that comfortably attaches to the upper arm using silicone adhesive pads. Its smooth profile allows it to be easily worn under clothing without drawing attention.

Alvum runs on a low-power internal battery that lasts over a month, and there’s no need to charge it. When it’s time for a refill, the user simply replaces the sensor cartridge inside the sealed container — a quick, hygienic process that requires no technical skill. Each cartridge is tailored to either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, ensuring targeted biomarker monitoring.

A three-way alert system — combining soft vibration, a blinking LED, and a sound signal — ensures the user never misses a warning. Whether you're at work, resting at home, or out socially, Alvum quietly works in the background, keeping you aware and in control.

Enabling Proactive Management of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis

Alvum doesn't just detect flare-ups — it gives users the time they need to act. By alerting the wearer before physical symptoms begin, the device opens a window of opportunity to adjust medications, rest, or avoid triggering situations. This proactive approach helps reduce the intensity and duration of flare-ups, potentially preventing hospitalizations and long-term complications.

For Crohn’s patients, rising IL-1α levels may be detected early enough to begin anti-inflammatory therapy or dietary adjustments. In ulcerative colitis, early IL-1β detection offers a chance to increase hydration, modify treatment, or postpone activities that could worsen the episode. In both cases, Alvum provides an advantage that no traditional test can: time.

Because the alerts are real-time and delivered privately through vibration or visual cues, users can stay discreet and responsive — even in public settings. The device seamlessly fits into daily routines, helping users shift from reactive care to proactive control.

Empowering Patients With Early IBD Alerts and Everyday Confidence

IBD may be chronic, but living in fear of the next flare-up doesn't have to be. Alvum gives patients something they rarely have — confidence. By transforming a hidden, unpredictable condition into a manageable part of life, it restores a sense of freedom and stability.

With no invasive procedures, no constant monitoring, and no disruption to daily life, Alvum supports long-term health in a way that’s both practical and empowering. It’s not just about sensing inflammation — it’s about restoring control, improving quality of life, and helping patients fully participate in the world around them.

Alvum is more than a device. It’s a quiet companion working behind the scenes, helping those with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis stay one step ahead — every single day.