Siemens Healthcare and Olympus Medical Systems Corporation developed a new technology for stomach examinations that allows comfortable patient procedures. The patient swallows a capsule that is navigated via a joystick and a magnetic field through the stomach. The capsule wirelessly transmits images from inside the stomach to an image processing system where the doctor can view the images. The results of the first feasibility study published in the journal “Endoscopy” show that this innovative new method functions feasible and sufficiently accurate.
The prototype of the magnetically guided capsule endoscope (MGCE) system was jointly developed by Siemens and Olympus and consists of an innovative guidance magnet, an image processing and guidance information system as well as the capsule endoscope. The patient swallows the capsule together with water. The patient is positioned in the system so that his stomach including the capsule is located in the center of an artificially generated magnetic field. The magnet generates varying magnetic fields in real time to navigate the capsule. The magnetic field enables the physician to control the capsule with a joystick. The cameras at both ends of the capsule transmit images from inside the stomach to the image processing system where the doctor can view the images. The capsule endoscope is approximately 31 mm long and measuring 11 mm in diameter.
A feasibility study of the magnetically guided capsule system (MGCE) has been performed at the renowned Institute Arnault Tzanck in Saint Laurent du Var (France) by Dr. Jean-Francois Rey and his colleagues H. Ogata, N. Hosoe, K. Ohtsuka, N. Ogata, K. Ikeda, H. Aihara, I. Pangtay, T. Hibi, S. Kudo and H. Tajiri. The study was published by the journal "Endoscopy" and showed that the new technology appears to be feasible and sufficiently accurate for gastric examination and may permit endoscopic examinations that are more patient-friendly and without sedation. In a study with more than 50 people, 30 findings were detected in the stomach. Fourteen of the 30 findings were detected with both the capsule and the conventional endoscope. Ten out of 30 were located with the capsule examination only and six with the conventional endoscope only.
"The magnetically guided capsule system provides reliable results for gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations compared to conventional endoscopy. The capsule enables much less invasive sto mach examinations. It means an enormous boost in acceptability for the patient," concluded Dr. Jean-Francois Rey with respect to the feasibility study. The study participants were equally enthusiastic: 93% thought the examination comfortable, 89% found it easy to swallow the capsule, and regarding future examinations, all patients questioned preferred the magnetically guided capsule endoscope over conventional gastrointestinal endoscopy.
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The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 48,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2009 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 11.9 billion euros and profit of around 1.5 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.