A pill-shaped camera can be steered for digestive diagnosis

New technology could revolutionize the way doctors examine the digestive system. It is a pill-shaped capsule with a tiny camera inside called the NaviCam. You can remotely controll it by an external magnet and a joystick. Unlike conventional video capsule endoscopes that rely on gravity and the digestive system for movement, the NaviCam can be steered to any part of the stomach to capture images and videos of potential problems.

The NaviCam could offer a less invasive and more convenient alternative to the traditional endoscopy, which requires anesthesia and time off work. “Magnetically controlled capsules could be used as a quick and easy way to screen for health problems in the upper GI tract such as ulcers or stomach cancer,” said Andrew Meltzer, a professor of Emergency Medicine at the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences, in GW's press release.

The technology is still in the testing phase, but the results are promising. Meltzer and his colleagues at medical technology company AnX Robotica conducted a 40-person study and found that doctors could accurately control the capsule to all major parts of the stomach with a 95 percent rate of successful visualization. They also confirmed that the camera did not miss any high-risk lesions by comparing it with traditional endoscopy.

The NaviCam could benefit patients with various digestive issues, as it can detect bleeding, inflammation, and lesions. It can also automatically transmit videos and images off-site for further review. The official study indicates that using a camera capsule poses no health risks, though it cannot perform biopsies, as it dissolves inside the body. The researchers note that this pilot testing program is just the beginning, and a "much bigger trial with more patients" is planned for the future.

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