Stomach examinations could be made simpler thanks to a small, magnetically-guided capsule that can be swallowed and moved through the stomach with a joystick.
Siemens Healthcare and Olympus Medical Systems Corporation have developed the technology, which sees the capsule wirelessly transmit images from inside the stomach to an image processing system where the doctor can view the action. The technology has been trialled in an initial feasibility study, published in Endoscopy, and introduced to the public at the United European Gastroenterology Week in Barcelona this week.
The device consists of a guidance magnet, an image processing and guidance information system and a capsule endoscope. After swallowing the device — which measures 31mm by 11mm the patient positions themselves inside a system, a little like an MRI scanner, so that their stomach is at the centre of an artificially generated magnetic field. The magnet generates varying magnetic fields in real time to navigate the capsule with precision using a joystick. Cameras at both ends of the capsule transmit from inside the stomach.
Traditionally capsule endoscopes are moved only by peristaltic motion — gut movements — in the gastrointestinal tract. This makes it hard to ensure that the capsule reaches a specific location, and limits examinations to confined areas of the digestive tract, such as the small intestine. It’s not as effective in more expansive areas such as the stomach.
The standard alternative is using a long, thin flexible endoscope and inserting it through either the throat or anus, or a surgical incision. The procedure can be very uncomfortable and often requires a sedative.
The study of more than 50 people showed the capsule magnetically-guided capsule endoscope to be more effective than the conventional endoscope at finding problems. The main advantage, however, was the levels of comfort experienced by patients, with some 93% of participants said that the examination was comfortable.
“Our aim is to create endoscopes that minimise the stress on patients and that are user-friendly for physicians. Capsule endoscopes have excellent potential from these perspectives,” said Haruhito Morishima, President, Olympus Medical Systems Corporation.
