Published online Sep 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i35.5943
Revised: July 28, 2013
Accepted: August 17, 2013
Published online: September 21, 2013
Processing time: 82 Days and 4.6 Hours
In order to improve lesion localisation in small-bowel capsule endoscopy, a modified capsule design has been proposed incorporating localisation and - in theory - stabilization capabilities. The proposed design consists of a capsule fitted with protruding wheels attached to a spring-mechanism. This would act as a miniature odometer, leading to more accurate lesion localization information in relation to the onset of the investigation (spring expansion e.g., pyloric opening). Furthermore, this capsule could allow stabilization of the recorded video as any erratic, non-forward movement through the gut is minimised. Three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology was used to build a capsule prototype. Thereafter, miniature wheels were also 3-D printed and mounted on a spring which was attached to conventional capsule endoscopes for the purpose of this proof-of-concept experiment. In vitro and ex vivo experiments with porcine small-bowel are presented herein. Further experiments have been scheduled.
Core tip: In order to improve localisation, capsule endoscopy developers proposed the use of an applied external magnetic field. However, this affords only a rough estimate of capsule - hence lesion - localization. Therefore, a modified capsule design was proposed in 2010. It consists of a capsule fitted with protruding wheels attached to a spring-mechanism. This allows the wheels to retract or expand to fit the lumen, whilst the capsule passes through the intestine, acting as a miniature odometer. Using three-dimensional printing technology, we built a conceptual capsule prototype and miniature wheels; with the latter, we perform in vitro and ex vivo proof-of-concept experiments.