CAPSULE CAMERA

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INTRODUCTION
In the past, doctors who needed to diagnose digestive problems would either use X-rays or endoscopy, which involves sedating a person and guiding a narrow tube with a camera attached down the throat and into the stomach and upper intestinal tract. Before endoscopy, doctors would have to perform surger y to assess some problems. Capsule endoscopy allows us to see places inside the small bowel where other methods cannot reach.


WHY DO WE NEED IT?
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.


HOW IT WORKS
The procedure involves the patient taking a small capsule, or endoscope with a tiny camera, light and radio transmitter inside it. The patient also wears small sensors attached to the abdomen with adhesive sleeves.