title: A new non-invasive modality for recording sequential images and the pH of the small bowel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Before the introduction of capsule endoscopy and double-balloon endoscopy, there were no effective modalities for reliable evaluation of the small bowel. Recently, the SmartPill, a wireless pH/ pressure recording capsule, has been utilized to measure the whole gut transit time. However, there are few studies on the small bowel pH. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between small bowel disease and the small bowel pH, we designed a new modality, the 'pH capsule', to non-invasively record sequential images and the pH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy male volunteers swallowed the 'pH capsule' with 50mL of water. The 'pH capsule' transmitted the acquired images and the pH to the recorder unit located outside the body for about ten hours while the subject was fasting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All subjects completed this study. The intragastric pH was low and the pH in the whole small intestine was 7.61, 7.55: 7.2-8.1 (mean, median: range). The pH value increased from the duodenum to the terminal ileum (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We could non-invasively monitor sequential images and the pH of the small intestine with this new modality. The 'pH capsule' is expected to become a valuable tool for clinical assessment of the small bowel.
authors.affiliation: Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sekino
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.forename: Kunihiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hosono
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nonaka
authors.forename: Yasunari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoneda
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koide
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Chikako
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tokoro
authors.forename: Ayumu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Yasunobu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gotoh
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inamori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053705:Capsule Endoscopes; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D013686:Telemetry; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult