Abstract: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) enables examination of the small intestine. In large-lumen organs of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (e.g. the stomach and the colon), the capsule tumbles around and therefore cannot image systematically. This limitation underscores the need for a novel approach that allows capsule imaging of these organs without tumbling. This paper describes the design and implementation of a self-stabilizing capsule prototype for colonic imaging. The present design consists of a capsule endoscope (CE) coupled to an expandable stabilizing component comprising a liquid-permeable sac filled with dry superabsorbent polymer granules (swellable material) integrally covered by an outer colon-targeting coating. Once the capsule enters the colon, the outer coating dissolves and this allows the expansion of the swellable material attached to the back side of the capsule endoscope. This volumetric increase of the expandable component provokes peristalsis by activating colonic mass reflex. The expanded end of the capsule stabilizes the entire implement, preventing it from tumbling, and at the same time activating the capsule endoscope. Once activated, the capsule begins to record images and to transmit them to an external receiver, which records the data to a computer. As a safety measure, the expandable component can be electronically separated from the capsule at any time. The capsule is eventually expelled out of the body as a fecal matter. A prototype of the self-stabilizing capsule has been developed conceptually and electronically to fulfill the requirements of image stabilization while coping with the restrictions of commercial CEs. Self-stabilizing CEs and non-stabilized CEs were comparatively tested in laboratory and canine experiments. The self-stabilizing CE eliminated the tumbling effect and demonstrated its potential to greatly improve colonic imaging.

Keywords: Colon, Gastrointestinal Tract, Video Capsule Endoscopy, Wireless Image Transmission,

ACM Classification Keywords: A.0 General Literature - Conference proceedings; B.7.1. – Advanced Technologies.

Link:

DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND TESTING OF A MINIATURE SELF-STABILIZING CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE WITH WIRELESS IMAGE TRANSMISSION CAPABILITIES.

Dobromir Filip, OrlyYadid-Pecht?, Christopher N. Andrews, and Martin P. Mintchev

http://foibg.com/ijitk/ijitk-vol05/ijitk05-1-p01.pdf