What is Wireless Capsule Endoscopy?

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy is a method to record the internal images of the bodies Gastrointestinal Tract, which is used in Medical Diagnosis.

Before the development of Endoscopy Capsule, the diagnosis can be done by normal Endoscopy Technique, but it was very painful, increases the chances of cross-contamination, and won’t give the images of Large Intestine and Colon. As endoscopy is very helpful to learn about some various internal organs issues. There were many techniques to analyze the Gastrointestinal Tract problem like Angiography, Ultrasound, X-Radiography, CT Scan etc. But these machines fail to provide correct details always or helpful on the same occasions when the bleeding is active severely.

So, to minimize this problem and get the correct and exact detail of bleeding or other related problem can be easily diagnosed with this new invention Wireless Capsule Endoscopy. Capsule Endoscopy gives the complete image of those part where it travels at that time. It is almost the same size as the standard capsule. The capsule contains a camera and LED light powered by the battery. The primary use of capsule endoscopy is to examine the areas of Small Intestine, which is not possible with the normal endoscopy machine.

The capsule sends the real-time image to the machine attached over the patient, through radio frequency. Then these images are transferred to the computer for further analysis of the problem inside the body.

The capsule is usually excreted with the feces within 1-2 days. The longer retention of the capsule inside the body could cause ‘Crohn’s Disease’. It the excretion of capsule took much time than expected then, the only possible way to remove it through the operation.

Advantages of Wireless Capsule Endoscopy:

1. Can be used very effectively, and conveniently.

2. It is pain-free.

3. Identify Bleeding Source in Small Intestine as well.

4. Diagnosis is easy and reliable.

5. Provides color images, which makes analysis easy.

Disadvantages of Wireless Capsule Endoscopy:

1. Quality of image is not good as compared to wired endoscopy.

2. The battery backup is not proper, some die very soon and some die after 8hours. For small intestine checkup, it needs to be alive for more than 8hours.

3. Its location cannot be managed, so many areas get examined more than once.

4. The capsule excretion rate is not 100%.

5. It is costly as compared to normal endoscopy process.

Future of Wireless Capsule Endoscopy:

After the invention of Wireless Capsule Endoscopy, it has undergone various improvements in its working, image quality, and battery related issues. Whereas, still it needs improvement in some areas.

1. Improvement in the Angle of Vision: The image quality, as well as the angle of the camera, is very important to collect the images from being at a single place. There are some capsules having the camera with the angle vision of 360° and capturing the 30 frames per second. These image frames would be very helpful to make a proper and exact mapping of the organ.

2. Endoscopy Capsule with Healing Capability: The Endoscopy capsule carries the drug with it, and delivers the drug at the specific required place inside the organ. A programmed device can make the delivery of medicine possible at the accurate place. Example: an allotted or programmed time duration can allow dropping the medicine at the correct place after the defined time.

3. Active or Operator Controlled Capsule Endoscopy: The two ways of controlling the movement of Capsule Endoscopy are: a) External System, the movement of the capsule can be guided by a Magnetic Field. b) Internal System, the capsule is having an inbuilt system which controls the movement of the capsule and provides a guided way of movement.

4. Capsules with Air Inflation Ability: This phenomenon would be very good while being at a narrow area and for the proper image it requires the area to increase. It would be helpful in allowing distension and better small bowl exploration.