Wireless capsule endoscopy

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Wireless capsule endoscopy, also known as the capsule camera or video pill is a camera with the size and shape of pill used to visualize the gastrointestinal tract. This device is being promoted as an alternative to an endoscopy and has the potential to be a valuable tool to gastroenterologists. The camera may assist in detecting cancer, ulcers and other types of internal medical ailments. The first such device was invented by Gavriel Iddan.This is not true as the first such capsule was invented in late 80's by Tarun Mullick,who received the broader patent for it based on evidence of first to invent documents/proof to US patent office.The application contained many features,some of which await USPTO's approval.

At the present time, the capsule camera is primarily used to visualize the small intestine. Whereas the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, and duodenum) and the colon (large intestine) can be very adequately visualized with scopes (cameras placed at the ends of thin flexible tubes), the small intestine is very long (average 20-25 feet) and very convoluted. No available scope is able to traverse the entire length of the small intestine. The capsule camera travels through the length of the small intestine in about 4 hours, and wirelessly transmits two images every second to a receiver carried by the patient. The images are of very good quality, comparable to those from scopes. The test carries a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting lesions. The main uses today are for detecting the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, and for inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease.

[edit] External reference

• M2A (Wired Magazine article)

US 7039453--Miniature Ingestible Capsule--URL www.uspto.gov/web/patents/patog/week18/OG/html/1306-1/US07039453-20060502.html RFsystem lab.URL www.rfnorika.com/eng/system/sys_008.html

This Capsule is produced and marketed as EndoCapsule by Olympus Corp.and PillCam by Given Imaging Ltd.COLON CAPSULE hold the biggest potential for mass screening for Cancer which remains at 60% of people over 50, due to Pain and costs.US FDA should approve it in 2007.RFSystem of Japan came out with their Pill in 2003 at much lower cost/price,but are waiting for Batteryless Pill for full launch.RF System website URL compares its Capsule Camera with Given Imaging Camera Pill.

     The other applications conceived by Tarun Mullick which await US Patent office approval are being developed and tested by Stanford Univ.Aeronautical Dept.Professors and were presented at DDW-2006 in Los Angeles,Calif.
    This Capsule has been recognized as a Great Invention By the Wall Street Journal.