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Abstract

Abstract Capsule endoscopy uses a disposable capsule that can image the entire small bowel. This area of the gastrointestinal tract is difficult to examine with conventional endoscopy because of patient discomfort and limits to how far the enteroscope can be advanced into the small bowel. The capsule weighs 3.7 g and is small enough to be swallowed (30 mm × 11 mm). Within the capsule are a camera, an LED light source, a short focal length lens, batteries and a radio telemetry transmitter. As the capsule passes through the gastrointestinal tract by peristalsis, images of the bowel wall are obtained by the camera at a rate of two per second and transmitted to a recorder worn by the patient on a belt. These are subsequently downloaded and reviewed as a video file on a computer workstation. The battery life of the capsule is about 7—8 hours, which is sufficient for passage through the entire small bowel in most patients. The capsule is passed naturally, and because it is disposable does not need to be retrieved by the patient. Views of the stomach and colon are also obtained by capsule endoscopy, but are inferior to those obtained at gastroscopy or colonoscopy.