PILLCAM WIRELESS CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY

WIRELESS CAPSULE TECHNOLOGY
PILLCAM
Wireless Capsule Endoscopy
Introduction

Endoscopy is a diagnostic medical procedure used to assess
the interior surfaces of an organ by inserting a tiny tube into
the body, often,but not necessarily, through a natural body
aperture.. Through the endoscope lesions and other surface
conditions can be observed.
The instrument may have a rigid or a flexible tube that not only
provides an image for visual inspection and photography, but
also enables in making biopsics and retrieval of foreign objects
from the body. Endoscopy is the vehicle for minimally invasive
surgery.
Many endoscopic procedures are relatively painless and, at worst,
associated with mild discomfort, even though patients are sedated
for most procedures. Complications are rare (only 5% of all operations)
but can include perforation of the organ under inspection
with the endoscope or biopsy instrument. If that occurs open surgery
may be required to repair the injury. Earlier Method :
Earlier methods used a fibre which was inserted and helped in
transmitting the pictures of digestive track.
Endoscopes consists of three tubes; a light emitting fibre, a fibre
which transmits the image to the physician and tube which can
be used for the administration of drugs as well as having the
ability to hold a brush or incisor instrument for the removal of
damaged body tissue or for taking tissue samples.
In the earlier endoscopy methods, a half inch diameter tube is sent
inside the body through throat. If there is any difficulty with the
patient in swallowing the tube, his/her throat is sprayed with a
sedative, which makes the job easier and less painful.
Disavantages of earlier methods :
Physical : Introduction of unsterilised instruments into the body
is always a possibility. Inexperienced handling of the endoscope,
both rigid and flexible, or the equipment supported it can lead to
punctured organs with variable effects.
Dyes : Contrast agents or dyes (such as those used in a CT scan)
that are used for imaging can cause allergic reactions.Iodine in
these dyes is also a cause of allergic reactions,the dyes are specially
harmful to the kidneys.
Sedation : Experienced anesthesiologists will provide sedation
only in required amounts to keep the patient comfortable.
Over sedation can result in dangerously low blood pressure and
nausea and vomiting.
DISEASES TESTED BY ENDOSCOPY :
a) Ulcers b) Cancer c) Internal Bleeding d) Gastrointestinal
disorders
Revolution in Endoscopy :
In 1981, an Israeli physician, Dr. Gavriel Iddan, began
development of a video camera that would fit inside a pill.
It took 20 years for technology to catch up with Dr. Iddan.
In 2001, the FDA approved the given Diagnostic Imaging
system. 11 x 26 mm capsule weighs only 4gms and contains
a color video camera and wireless radiofrequency transmitter,
4LED lights, and enough battery power to take 50,000 color
images during an 8 - hour journey through the digestive tract.
About the size of a large vitamin, the capsule is made of specially
sealed biocompatible material that is resistant to stomach acid
and powerful digestive enzymes.
Another name for this new technique is wireless Capsule Endoscopy.
What is Capsule Endoscopy?
The Pillcam Capsules are miniaturized disposable color video
cameras encased in a plastic shell, which incorporate one or more
specially developed imaging devices based on complementary metal
oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology.
Other components include optics; white - light emitting doides for
illumination, and an application specific integrated circuit device
for control and image transmission,low power silver oxide batteries,
an antenna and other discrete electronic components. The RAPID
software when used with the Pillcam SB capsule, creates a graphic
representation of the patients gastrointestinal tract, helping
physicians assess the location of the pillcam SB capsule within the
body when an image is captured and assisting them in directing
treatment to the affected area. The company is selling pillcam
capsules designed for visualization of two areas of the gastrintestinal
tract: the small bowel and the csophagus.
The Pillcam SB capsule transmits images at a rate of two images
per second for approximately eight hours, resulting in approximately
50,000 images, at which time the operation is stopped and recording ceases.
The pillcam SB capsule is used with a range of indications
of the small intestine, including obscure bleeding, suspected crohn''s
disease,iron deficiency anemia and suspected small bowel tumors.
The pillcam ESO capsule contains an imaging device and light
source at both ends of the capsule and is designed to capture up
to 14 images per second as it passes down the esophagus. The pillcam
ESO capsule can be used only with DataRecorder 2.0 or newer
versions and RAPID 3.0 or newer versions. The AGILE patency
system consists of the AGILE patency capsule, a dissolvable
capsule the same size as the pillcam with a radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag packed ina lactose and barium powder.

REFERENCES:
www.medicalnewstoday.com