Researchers at Stanford University in Stanford, CA, have successfully tested an ingestible, pill-sized camera to image bleeding in the small intestine. The device, the M2A Capsule Endoscope, is manufactured by Given Imaging Systems, based in Yoqneam, Israel, and recently received U.S. FDA clearance.
The device consists of four flashing lights, a color camera, a battery, and an antenna. The patient has a receiver taped to his or her abdomen to track the capsule's progress, recording two images per second. The physician then downloads the data to a computer and views the images with software developed by the manufacturer.
The first two patients are part of a multicenter clinical trial of the M2A Capsule Endoscope in people who need regular transfusions due to internal bleeding. In a separate trial, Stanford researchers will test the device in anemic patients who do not yet need transfusions.
Each capsule is priced at $450 and the one-time software purchase costs less under $30,000.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersDecember 7, 2001
Related Reading
Endoscopic imaging capsule gets U.K. and Asian distribution, December 3, 2001
Endoscopic imaging pill gets FDA clearance, August 3, 2001
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