Capsule Endoscopy, the standard for visualization of the small bowel, is a procedure that has helped over 1.5 million patients with potential disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a simple outpatient procedure that can be performed in the physician’s office without sedation. The only requirement is the patient must be able to swallow a small capsule similar in size to some vitamin supplements.

How It Works
The patient swallows a small disposable capsule (see adjacent picture). The capsule contains a tiny camera and light. As your body moves it through your digestive tract, it takes images of your small intestine. The images are then transmitted to a small recorder that you wear. The images, once retrieved from the recorder, assist your physician in identifying and diagnosing problems such as ulcers, lesions, Crohn's disease, Angiodysplasias, and sources of bleeding.

Contact your physician to determine if Capsule Endoscopy is right for you.

PillCam® images from Medtronic.