A relatively new procedure, Capsule Endoscopy can allow the doctors to examine the small intestine, which could not be done before under normal endoscopic procedures. This non-invasive procedure is painless and requires no sedation. The patient will swallow a capsule about the size of a large vitamin. The capsule contains a small color video camera that will capture images inside the small intestine. It also includes a battery, light and transmitter. Once the capsule is swallowed, we attach sensors to the patient’s abdomen and a data recorder is attached around the patient’s waist with a belt to record any findings. The procedure lasts eight hours and, during this time, the patient can resume his/her regular daily activities.
Once the eight hours has been completed, the patient returns to the office so we may remove the sensors and data recorder and import that data into our computers. Within 24 hours, the patient will pass the capsule naturally.
While Capsule Endoscopy should not be used as a substitute to other procedures, this new technology can help in diagnosis, when other diagnostic procedures are inconclusive.