Perfect pairing: use of a radiofrequency-blocking Faraday bag for video capsule deployment

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a valuable tool for evaluation of small-bowel pathology. Video capsule pairing timing is a source of inefficiency. A potential etiology of delayed pairing is interference from external devices. We evaluated the impact of using a commercially available radio signal-blocking Faraday bag on VCE pairing time.

VCE pairing time was measured for 20 cases with (bag group) and without (control group) the use of a Faraday bag. If cases that started without the Faraday bag did not pair after 10 minutes, they were crossed over to the Faraday bag group. Ambient radiofrequency levels were measured in both groups.

Pairing time was 49.3 ± 33.3 seconds in the Faraday bag group versus 384.2 ± 225.6 seconds in the control group (P < .001). Among the 4 control cases that crossed over to the Faraday bag group, pairing time after the switch was 23.5 ± 19.5 seconds. The average radiofrequency level was 0.004 ± 0.006 mW/m² in the bag group and 40.7 ± 48.2 mW/m² in the control group (P < .001).

Use of a Faraday bag shortens VCE pairing time, possibly by decreasing radiofrequency interference. This intervention may augment efficiency in the endoscopy suite/clinic.