Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH) has launched an innovative pill camera for its patients. Parvish Kumar, the director and CEO of PSH, announced that the new capsule has been successfully implemented.
The capsule endoscopy system is a small, ingestible device that allows doctors to visualize the small bowel, the part of the intestines that connects the stomach to the large intestine and plays a crucial role in digestion and metabolism.
This procedure can be used to diagnose and track various digestive tract conditions. It involves swallowing a capsule that is similar in size to a large vitamin pill.
“Capsule Endoscopy offers a non-invasive method for our doctors to examine the small bowel, which is not accessible through traditional endoscopy techniques,” Kumar explained. “The capsule is equipped with a tiny camera and light source, capturing images of the small intestine as it moves through the digestive system. These images are transmitted to a recorder that the patient wears on a strap around their body, with a sensor belt that facilitates the transfer of images to a recording device.”
PSH is pioneering the use of the wireless recorder belt. Capsule endoscopy is particularly beneficial for:
– Identifying the source of bleeding in the small bowel, which is the most prevalent reason for the procedure.
– Diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
– Screening for polyps and diagnosing cancer, as it helps detect potential polyps or tumors in the digestive tract.
Bowel cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, following lung cancer, in certain countries.
In a Q&A session, the following questions were addressed:
Q: How long does the procedure take?
A: Typically, patients spend about 30 minutes at PSH to commence the procedure. After the sensor belt is affixed to the abdomen and the recorder is connected, patients can swallow the capsule and leave. The test runs for a few hours, allowing patients to proceed with their normal activities.
Q: What occurs after I return the recorder and sensors to PSH?
A: The images captured during the procedure will be downloaded to a computer where doctors will review them in color. Patients will then be contacted with the results.
Q: Will the capsule cause any pain or discomfort?
A: No, patients should not experience any discomfort either while swallowing the capsule or as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract. The capsule is disposable and is eliminated naturally with bowel movements.