Anyone who has had a colonoscopy will tell you that the process is not the most pleasant of experiences, however, it is necessary. A new pill-sized camera hopes to take the pain and discomfort out of colonoscopies, thereby encouraging more patients to do the procedure.
The PillCam COLON, created by pharmaceuticals company, Given Imaging, looks like a normal capsule but has a mini camera on the inside. Patients are required to swallow the PillCam COLON, which then goes through the digestive system, allowing doctors to directly view the entire colon from a monitor that stores the images, without sedation or radiation (or anything going up your rear). It’s basically like Go-Pro for your colon.
It also works for patients who have had incomplete colonoscopies and need to complete their colon exams. There’s no need to retrieve the PillCam back either, after the procedure, it dissolves like a normal pill and passes through with a bowel movement.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the PillCam COLONclearance, so it’s expected to debut in the America and Japan soon.
Take a look at how PillCam COLON works in this animated illustration:
[Image: Given Imaging]
