Endoscope System for Examination of the Stomach

Siemens Healthcare and Olympus Medical Systems developed a new technology for stomach examinations, which allows comfortable patient procedures. The patient swallows a capsule that is navigated via a joystick and a magnetic field through the stomach. The capsule then wirelessly transmits images from inside the stomach to an image processing system where the doctor views the images. A conceptual model of the technology was first introduced to the public at the Olympus booth at the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) in Barcelona last October 23-27, 2010.

The prototype of the magnetically guided capsule endoscope (MGCE) system was jointly developed by Siemens and Olympus and consists of an innovative guidance magnet, an image processing, and a guidance information system as well as the capsule endoscope. The patient swallows the capsule together with water. The patient is positioned in the system so that his stomach, including the capsule, is located in the center of an artificially generated magnetic field. The magnet generates varying magnetic fields in real time to navigate the capsule. The magnetic field enables the physician to control the capsule with a joystick. The cameras at both ends of the capsule transmit images from inside the stomach to the image processing system where the doctor can view the images. The capsule endoscope is approximately 31 mm long and measuring 11 mm in diameter.

A feasibility study of the MGCE system was performed at the renowned Institute Arnault Tzanck in Saint Laurent du Var (France) by Dr. Jean-Francois Rey and his colleagues H. Ogata, N. Hosoe, K. Ohtsuka, N. Ogata, K. Ikeda, H. Aihara, I. Pangtay, T. Hibi, S. Kudo, and H. Tajiri. The study was published by the journal Endoscopy1 and showed that the new technology appears to be feasible and sufficiently accurate for gastric examination and may permit endoscopic examinations that are more patient-friendly and without sedation. In a study with more than 50 people, 30 findings were detected in the stomach. Fourteen of the 30 findings were detected with both the capsule and the conventional endoscope. Ten out of 30 were located with the capsule examination only and 6 with the conventional endoscope only.

"The magnetically guided capsule system provides reliable results for gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations compared to conventional endoscopy. The capsule enables less invasive stomach examinations. It means an enormous boost in acceptability for the patient," concluded Dr. Rey with respect to the feasibility study. The study participants were equally enthusiastic: 93% thought the examination was comfortable and 89% found it easy to swallow the capsule. Regarding future examinations, all patients preferred the MGCE over conventional gastrointestinal endoscopy.

At UEGW, Dr. Rey presented the results of the first study. In a study entitled "First Feasibility Study of Stomach Exploration with a Guided Capsule Endoscopy," Dr. Keiichi Ikeda, Jikei University, Tokyo, Japan, also reported his research results in Barcelona.adidas