Inspection of the human stomach using remote-controlled capsule endoscopy: a feasibility study in healthy volunteers (with videos).
BACKGROUND
Remote control of capsule endoscopes might allow reliable inspection of the human stomach.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety and efficacy of manipulation of a modified capsule endoscope with magnetic material (magnetic maneuverable capsule [MMC]) in the human stomach by using a handheld external magnet.


METHODS
Open clinical trial.


METHODS
Academic hospital.


METHODS
Ten healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Subjects swallowed the MMC and sherbet powder for gastric distention. An external magnetic paddle (EMP-2) was used to manipulate the MMC within the stomach. MMC responsiveness was evaluated on a screen showing the MMC film in real time.


METHODS
Safety and tolerability (questionnaire), gastric residence time of the MMC, its responsiveness to the EMP-2, area of gastric mucosa visualized.


RESULTS
There were no adverse events. The MMC was always clearly attracted by the EMP-2 and responded to its movements. It remained in the stomach for 39 ± 24 minutes. In 7 subjects, both the cardia and the pylorus were inspected and 75% or more of the gastric mucosa was visualized (≥50% in all of the remaining subjects). A learning curve was clearly recognizable (identification of MMC localization, intended movements).


CONCLUSIONS
Small amounts of fluid blocked the view of apical parts of the fundus; gastric distention was not sufficient to flatten all gastric folds.


CONCLUSIONS
Remote control of the MMC in the stomach of healthy volunteers using a handheld magnet is safe and feasible. Responsiveness of the MMC was excellent, and visualization of the gastric mucosa was good, although not yet complete, in the majority of subjects. The system appeared to be clinically valuable and should be developed further. (


BACKGROUND
DE/CA05/2009031008.).
Israelitic Hospital, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany. keller@ik-h.de
Jutta
J
Keller
Christiane
C
Fibbe
Frank
F
Volke
Jeremy
J
Gerber
Alexander C
AC
Mosse
Meike
M
Reimann-Zawadzki
Elisha
E
Rabinovitz
Peter
P
Layer
Daniel
D
Schmitt
Viola
V
Andresen
Ulrich
U
Rosien
Paul
P
Swain
D000328:Adult; D053705:Capsule Endoscopes; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012016:Reference Values; D013270:Stomach / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult