Intraoperative bowel cleansing tool in active locomotion capsule endoscopy

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Medical Devices
• Endoscopic Technology

Background:

• Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a disruptive technology offering an alternative to traditional diagnostic methods.
• Effective bowel cleansing is crucial for CE due to the inability to intervene during the procedure.
• Existing methods may face limitations in ensuring adequate visualization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an innovative and user-friendly intraoperative cleansing system for CE.
• To enhance the capabilities of a pre-existing active locomotion capsule device.
• To address the challenge of inadequate mucosal visualization in CE.

Main Methods:

• Development of an intraoperative cleansing system comprising a flexible tube with a distal metallic deflector.
• Integration of the system into the operating channel of a soft-tethered capsule device.
• In-vitro and ex-vivo experimental validation of the capsule's performance and cleansing capabilities.

Main Results:

• Successful confirmation of colonoscopic capsule performance and intraoperative cleansing abilities.
• Demonstration of effective water injection, colonic wall cleansing, and water suction.
• Promising results indicating a reduced risk of inadequate mucosal visualization.

Conclusions:

• The developed intraoperative cleansing system shows significant potential for improving CE procedures.
• The system offers an easy-to-use solution for enhancing colonic tract visualization during CE.
• This innovation could reduce the incidence of inadequate visualization, improving diagnostic accuracy.