PILL CAMERA / CAPSULE CAMERA
Currently the standard method of detecting abnormalities in the intestines is through endoscopic examinations in which doctors advance a scope down into the small intestine via mouth. However these scopes are unable to reach through all of the 20-foot-long small intestine. Scientific advances in areas such as nanotechnology and gene therapy led to the revolutionary discovery of many advanced products. One such recent development is the 'camera in a pill or the capsule endoscopy '.
Pill cameras can be used to diagnose certain conditions routinely as well as it can detect disorders at an earlier stage enabling treatments before complications develop.
The lates pill camera is sized at 26*11mm and is capable of transmitting 50,000 color images during it's traversal through the digestive system of the patient.
Components, Procedure And Advantages
The pill camera is composed of
Optical dome
Lens holder
Lens
Illuminating LEDs
CMOS image sensor
Battery
Asic transmitter
Antenna
The endoscopy procedure begins with the swallowing of the capsule by the patient like a pill. It takes images as it is propelled forward by peristalsis. A wireless recorder worn on a belt receives the images transmitted by the pill. A computer workstation processes the data and produces continuous still images.
The major advantages of the process are, it's painless, no side effects or complications, miniature size, easy mobility, accurate, precise, effective and above all it's made of bio compatible material and hence doesn't cause any harm to the body.
The capsule endoscopy is a pioneering concept for Medical Technology of the 21st century. It has revolutionized the field of diagnostic imaging to a greater extent and has proved to be great help to physicians all over the world.