Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
14:13
A Training Program Using an Agility Ladder for Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Published on: March 7, 2020
11.3K
Premature dissolution of the Agile patency device: implications for capsule endoscopy
Nicholas Wray1, Ailish Healy1, Vicky Thurston1
1Academic Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, UK.
Frontline Gastroenterology
|July 9, 2019
Summary
The Agile patency device prematurely dissolved in 1.3% of patients, potentially leading to false reassurance before capsule endoscopy. Persistent radiofrequency signals require careful investigation to confirm device integrity.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Devices
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Capsule endoscopy carries a risk of retention, particularly at strictures.
- The Agile patency device is used to assess small bowel patency before capsule endoscopy.
- Device integrity is typically confirmed by signal loss or radiological absence after 30 hours.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of premature dissolution of the Agile patency device (<30 hours postingestion).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing Agile patency device procedures was conducted.
- Outcomes were assessed to identify instances of premature device dissolution.
Main Results:
- Premature dissolution occurred in 5 out of 307 patients (1.3% incidence).
- Dissolution was detected by persistent radiofrequency signals despite negative radiological imaging.
- Identifying the radiofrequency tag on CT scans was challenging due to its position and size.
Conclusions:
- Premature dissolution of the Agile patency device occurs at a low but significant rate.
- Persistent radiofrequency signals necessitate careful radiological review to identify the device's radiofrequency tag.
- Failure to detect premature dissolution may lead to a false sense of security regarding capsule endoscopy safety.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Endoscopic Procedures III: Video Capsule Endoscopy
784
Capsule endoscopy, or wireless or video capsule endoscopy, is a diagnostic procedure for examining the entire gastrointestinal tract. Patients swallow a capsule about the size of a vitamin tablet. The capsule is equipped with a transmitter, a battery, an LED light source, and a color video camera to capture images throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This procedure is particularly useful for diagnosing conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, tumors, polyps, ulcers,...
784
01:17In Vitro Drug Dissolution: Alternative Methods
203
Alternative drug dissolution methods include the rotating bottle, intrinsic dissolution test, peristalsis, and the Franz diffusion cell method. The rotating bottle method involves meticulously rotating tightly capped controlled-release beads in a temperature-controlled bath. Periodic decanting of samples allows for residue assay, followed by refilling with fresh medium and testing at various pH levels to emulate the gastrointestinal tract conditions.In contrast, the intrinsic dissolution test...
203
01:14Drug Dissolution: Requirements and Profile Comparison
251
The acceptance criteria for dissolution profile data are anchored in Q values, representing the percentage of drug dissolved within a specified period. This assessment unfolds in three stages:First Stage: The test passes if all six drug dosage units are equal to or greater than Q plus 5%; otherwise, the sample proceeds to the second stage.Second Stage: The average of twelve units must be equal to or greater than Q, with no unit falling below Q - 15% to pass; if not, it progresses to the final...
251
01:15Theories of Dissolution: Diffusion Layer Model
1.7K
Dissolution, the process by which drug particles dissolve in a solvent, is explained by the diffusion layer model, a theoretical framework that simulates the absorption of oral drugs and allows us to analyze experimental data.
This process starts with a thin layer, saturated with the drug, forming at the interface between the solid and liquid. The solute then diffuses from this layer into the main solution. The Noyes-Whitney equation suggests that the rate of dissolution relies on the diffusion...
This process starts with a thin layer, saturated with the drug, forming at the interface between the solid and liquid. The solute then diffuses from this layer into the main solution. The Noyes-Whitney equation suggests that the rate of dissolution relies on the diffusion...
1.7K
01:21Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
682
Polymorphism refers to the existence of a drug substance in multiple crystalline forms, known as polymorphs. Recently, this term has been expanded to include solvates (forms containing a solvent), amorphous forms (non-crystalline forms), and desolvated solvates (forms from which the solvent has been removed).
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
682
01:21Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug pKa, Lipophilicity and GI pH
3.1K
Drug absorption within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a complex process influenced by several critical factors, including the site pH, the drug's dissociation constant (pKa), and the drug's lipophilicity. The GI tract exhibits a pH gradient, with an acidic environment in the stomach and a more alkaline environment in the small intestine. This pH variation directly affects the ionization state of drugs.
A drug's pKa and the pH of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract play crucial roles...
A drug's pKa and the pH of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract play crucial roles...
3.1K