 If you have ever had to endure medical testing like a lower GI to give the doctor an idea of what is going on in your intestines, you know that it is a truly terrible experience. Now, let’s all cheer as such uncomfortable testing may never be needed again.
Technology to the rescue! A swallowable video capsule has recently been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for marketing in the US. Given Imaging Company has received FDA approval for their imaging technology. All you need to do is take a pill.
The capsule itself is larger than an aspirin, about 11 mm x 26 mm in size and about 4 grams in weight. Called the M2A, it is not a medication, but rather a single-use video color-imaging capsule. Besides the miniature color video camera, the capsule contains a light source, batteries, a transmitter, and an antenna. Once swallowed this capsule/camera travels easily through the digestive tract and is naturally excreted. It is never absorbed in the body. The patient wears a wireless Given Data Recorder on a belt around his or her waist, much like a portable "Walkman." This device receives and records signals transmitted by the camera to an array of sensors placed on the patient's body. These signals can also track the physical course of the capsule's progress. During this procedure, users feel no pain or discomfort and are able to continue their regular activities as the camera works inside the body and the sensors and belt work outside. The entire process takes about eight hours.
A computer workstation using Given's Imaging propriety software processes the data and produces a video of the images together with additional relevant information from the digestive tract. Doctors can then view, edit, and save both individual images and the streaming video. The images produced are of an especially high quality.
In clinical trials, the Given Imaging System seemed to be more effective than push enteroscopy or surgical techniques in detecting suspected physical abnormalities in the small intestines. To date, there have been no side effects associated with this procedure. Given Imaging believes their system will be cost effective and is planning to work with insurers to see that this procedure is included in reimbursement policies.
It looks like the Given ingestible video capsule is a win-win situation. With clinical trial results showing the M2A capsule more effective than enteroscopy and this procedure being, understandably, more popular, patients with suspected small intestine disorders will be popping the M2A pill with a smile.
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