Medgadget » GI

Check-Cap X-ray Radar Pill Sliding Toward Commercial Introduction

Gene Ostrovsky — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:42:43 +0000

GE has announced investing into an Israeli company called Check-Cap that’s developing swallowable endoscopic capsules for imaging the insides of the GI tract. Check-Cap seems to be a direct competitor of the better known Given Imaging, also an Israeli firm, that’s been producing its own PillCams for visualizing everything from the esophagus to the small intestine and beyond.

While PillCams use light in the visible spectrum and a traditional image sensor, the Check-Cap delivers low energy X-rays that provide a much different look at the internal anatomy. Because X-rays penetrate through soft material, food intake shouldn’t be a problem for the device, and all the typical preparation for a GI tract analysis may not have to apply.

Mini Crab-Like Robot Removes Stomach Cancer

Stanley Darma — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:47:05 +0000

Researchers from Singapore have developed a small robot designed to remove stomach cancer in its early stages. The mini robot resembles a crab, because it incorporates a pincer and a hook to do the job. The robot is mounted on an endoscope which reaches the stomach via the patient’s mouth. Next to its size, another advantage of the robot is that it doesn’t leave an external scar.

The crab-like robot has a pincer to grab the tissue to be removed, and the hook can cut the tissue and cauterize it to stop the bleeding. The operating surgeon can see what’s happening through the little camera in the endoscope and control the robot’s movements. These movements are very precise and accurate compared to movements made directly with human hands.

Swallowable Endoscope Capsule Guided by MRI

Gene Ostrovsky — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:02:03 +0000

Capsular endoscopy of the GI tract has its advantages, but since the swallowed capsule moves randomly through the intestines, there’s absolutely no control of where the eye of the device is pointing at. Now researchers from Tel Aviv University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are using a 3T MRI machine to both power and propel a new capsule they invented. The tail of the device that provides the motive force is made of copper and a flexible polymer.

So far the technology has been tested in a water tank and the researchers believe the power produced is sufficient to navigate the capsule inside the stomach. This technology is reminiscent of the magnetically guided capsule project between Siemens and Olympus (see flashbacks below), but that one was different in that the capsule doesn’t use a propeller of any sort but is directly moved around by the magnetic field.

Scientists Developing Capsular Endoscope with Full HD Image Quality

Stanley Darma — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:32:20 +0000

You might have noticed that every video technology out there is rapidly becoming HD compatible. Now it’s the turn for camera pills to deliver HD video imaging. Camera pills, best represented by PillCam devices from Given Imaging, are used for capturing images inside the gastro-intestinal tract to detect abnormalities, especially in the areas of the tract in which endoscopy is not an option. Researchers from various Norwegian universities have now collaborated to engineer an HD camera pill .

The new camera pill will employ wireless ultra-wideband technology with enough bandwidth to handle live, high-quality video transmission of observations from the intestine. Therefore, the amount of data to be transmitted needs to be significantly compressed. The pill will also communicate its coordinates via radio so that doctors can pinpoint its location in the body.

Boston Scientific’s SpyGlass System Proves Safe and Effective – Peroral Cholangioscopists Throughout The World Rejoice!

Paul Pisklak — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:25:34 +0000

We last mentioned Boston Sci’s Spyglass system in 2007. In case you missed it, this is a single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) device, allowing doctors to more easily navigate the labyrinth that is the pancreatico-biliary system. Previously, this procedure required a two-endoscopist team with a duodenoscope and cholangioscope to directly visualize and manipulate the bile ducts. The Spyglass system makes possible for this to be done by a single operator – ostensibly, this reduces costs and should allay patient anxiety in the case of awake interventions.

The traditional approach to biliary imaging and intervention is ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), but large or multiple cystic duct stones may be difficult to remove the traditional way – this is where cholangioscopic devices come in. In the October 2011 issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the system was shown to have an overall procedural success rate of 89%. This approach can be useful in the diagnosis of biliary problems, obtaining biopsies, and in intervening in the case of stones. The study followed nearly 300 patients at 15 centers in the U.S. and Europe.

Torax’s Medical Beads Adapted to Treat Fecal Incontinence

Smit Shah — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:49:01 +0000

Torax Medical, Inc., maker of the LINX Anti-Reflux Treatment System, has announced CE Marking of its FENIX Continence Restoration System. Like LINX, the FENIX System consists of a band of magnetic beads, but instead of being implanted around the esophageal sphincter, it is implanted around the anal sphincter to treat fecal incontinence.

Magnetic attraction between the beads keeps the sphincter closed, but this attraction is broken to allow the band to expand during voluntary passage of fecal matter.

Medgadget Q&A: Five Questions for Mark Rutenberg, CEO of CDx Diagnostics

Paul Pisklak — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:18:13 +0000

Last week CDx Diagnostics announced the release of a new brush biopsy system that promises to improve the sensitivity of pre-cancerous esophageal adenocarcinoma testing. As founder and CEO of the company, Mark Rutenberg has been developing the technology behind the EndoCDx brush biopsy. He kindly agreed to answer a few of our questions about this technology and what it offers clinicians and their patients.

Medgadget: Mr. Rutenberg, what is the advantage of using your brush biopsy system as opposed to standard cytology brushes?

EndoCDx for Early Detection of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma

Gene Ostrovsky — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:25:06 +0000

CDx Diagnostics is releasing in the U.S. their brush biopsy system for detection of precancerous esophageal adenocarcinoma. The device features a considerably larger brush that covers an area larger than forceps are typically able to grab.

The company believes that a lot more patients will be identified having precancerous cells, leading to earlier treatment and prevention of full blown cancer.

Third Eye Retroscope Helps Detect More Adenomas During Colonoscopy

Gene Ostrovsky — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:18:27 +0000

Avantis Medical Systems has announced that positive results from a clinical study of its Third Eye Retroscope were presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting. The device is an attachment to a conventional colonoscope that provides a rear view (forgive the pun) in addition to the standard forward facing camera.

The study showed a statistically significant improvement in the detection of adenomas using the retroscope compared to traditional colonoscopy.

Cook’s New Evolution Duodenal Controlled-Release Stent Helps Minimize the Symptoms of Small Intestine Cancers

Smit Shah — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:13:32 +0000

Cook Medical has announced FDA 510(k) clearance of its new Evolution Duodenal Controlled-Release Stent for treatment of gastric outlet obstruction caused by gastrointestinal cancers.

Cook claims the new stent will allow for more precise placement than existing solutions, and will conform to the patient’s duodenum to reduce the risk of migration.