Capsule endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that enables doctors to examine the lining of the small intestine using a pill-sized video camera swallowed by the patient, which captures and transmits images to a recording device. Introduced in 1999, the capsule captures images via optical fibers and sends them to a wireless recorder, with the data processed for interpretation. While useful for diagnosing conditions like Crohn's disease and tumors, capsule endoscopy has limitations including slower motility, image quality concerns, and dependence on the observer's interpretation.

1. By
SATHISHKUMAR G
(sathishsak111@gmail.com)

2. What is capsule endoscopy?
 Capsule endoscopy leads the doctors examine the lining of the middle part
of one’s gastrointestinal tract,which include the three portion of the small
intestine(duodenum , jejunum , ileum).
 Doctor will give a pill sized video camera for a patient to swallow.
 This camera has its own light source and takes picture of small intestine as it
passess through .These pictures are send to a small recording device patient
have to wear on this body.

3. About:
 Capsule endoscopy was first used in humans in 1999.
 The first publication on capsule endoscopy was
published in nature in 2000.

4. How does capsule endoscopy work:
 Eight aerial leads that are attached around the patients
abdomen collecting data.
 Capsule ingested as any other capsule.
 Patient can drink clears immediately,but no solid food
for three hours .
 Attached to the leads is the recorder and the patient
should report back if it stops recording for any reason.

5.  Belt and aerial should be worn for 8 hours after
swallowing or until the recorder stops recording.
 Recorder and aerials are returned , but the capsule is
disposable!
 Images are downloaded and processed prior to
interpretation.

6. Endoscopy procedure:
 Capsule is swallowed by the patient like a
conventional pill.
 It takes images as it is propelled forward by peristalsis.
 A wireless recorder , worn on a belt , recieves the
images transmitted by the pill.
 A computer work station processes the data and
produces a continuous still images.

7. Description:
 The capsule consists of seven optical fibres
 One for elimination and the rest six for collecting
light.
 The tip will illuminate red , green & blue laser light
helping in visuality.
 All this processing together combined will give us
two-dimensional picture helping in diagnosis.
 The images can be retrieved from the recording device
worn around patient waist as a belt.

8. Types of Endoscopic capsules:

9. Inside a capsule camera:

19. Uses:
 Crohn’s Disease.
 Malabsorption Disorders.
 Tumors of the small intestine & Vascular Disorders.
 Ulcerative colitis.

21. Limitations:
 Slow Gastric/Intestinal motility.
 Poorer quality of images as compared to Fiberoptic
scopes.
 The position of the capsule can not be accurately
controlled.
 Potentially obstructed views.
 Morbidly obese patients.
 Interpretation of results are very observer dependent.
 Findings may be of unknown significance or relevence.