Tumors and other diseases of the small intestine are quite a serious danger to human life. Indeed, until now, medicine has not resolved the issue of the possibility of conducting examinations of this area of the gastrointestinal tract. However, not so long ago, there was still hope. This is the so-called capsule endoscopy. It was first certified in America in 2001 and now allows you to examine absolutely all parts of the intestine.
What is this?
Capsule endoscopy is a medical examination of the large and small intestines, which is carried out using a special small device developed by Israeli scientist Gavriel Iddan. This capsule is a miniature device with a length of 2.6 and a width of 1.1 centimeters. It is quite similar to a conventional drug, but contains non-chemicalsubstances, but a built-in camera that allows you to accurately and correctly diagnose almost all diseases of the intestinal tract.
In addition to the optical device, the presented device includes a wireless RF transmitter, as well as a battery and a backlight module. Such a device requires much less power than a conventional endoscope. That is why this "pill" can work for several hours in fairly low light.
Casule endoscopy provides specialists with multiple images of the inside of the intestine at 2 frames per second. It is worth noting that in just eight hours of continuous research, this device takes several tens of thousands of images and transmits this information to a special recording device, which is located on the patient's belt.
Survey Completion Process
After the capsule endoscopy, the price of which is presented below, is completed, the device leaves the intestinal tract in a natural way. Those data that are recorded on the device are processed by means of a special computer program. A specialist (endoscopist) can see them on the screen of his own monitor, and then analyze and make an accurate diagnosis.
Research Benefits
Compared to conventional examination of the gastrointestinal tract, capsule endoscopy has a huge number of positive aspects. Firstly, with such a miniature device, there is no need to insert the endoscope sequentially.through the mouth, esophagus, stomach, etc. After all, this procedure is quite unpleasant and even painful. In addition, with the help of such a device, you can examine absolutely the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the small, rectum and large intestine.
Flaws of the study
Casule endoscopy, which is mostly positive, has its drawbacks. For example, in the process of such a diagnostic study, it is impossible to take pieces of tissue (or a biopsy), as well as to carry out any medical manipulations (remove a polyp, stop bleeding, etc.). In addition, there is a small probability (0.5-10%) of video capsule retention in the patient's gastrointestinal tract. In such situations, it is removed using a conventional endoscope or by surgical intervention. It is also worth noting that capsule endoscopy, the price of which varies between 1-2 thousand dollars, is not available to all patients.
How effective is the procedure?
Several years ago, laboratory studies of this technique were carried out on dogs. They were implanted with many multi-colored beads, and then alternately carried out capsule and conventional endoscopy. After that, experts calculated that a new method for diagnosing bowel diseases found more implanted beads than the usual one. Thus, these clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of capsule endoscopy.
It is worth noting that with this technique, it is quite clearthe source of bleeding in the small intestine is established, while traditional methods do not detect it at all.
How and where to do capsule endoscopy?
This procedure is carried out in many clinics, scientific and medical centers, as well as oncology clinics in our country. Like a traditional study, capsule also requires preparation. You can't eat anything for 12 hours before the event. Before the procedure itself, special sensors are attached to the patient's waist, and then he swallows the capsule and goes about his usual business. Exactly 4 hours after taking the "pill", the patient can have lunch, but the food should be as light as possible. Then the capsule comes out naturally, after which the patient returns the recording device to the doctor, who analyzes the data and makes a diagnosis. It should be noted that if a person feels discomfort during the procedure, then he should immediately contact the doctor.
