Pill endoscopy is one of the latest advancements in gastrointestinal (GI) medicine. Also called capsule endoscopy, this state-of-the-art device is simple yet effective in helping detect and analyze GI conditions. The technology has transformed the way we diagnose and manage small bowel diseases in adults, and experts at University of Miami Health System are leading the way.

In fact, our team of researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine was the first in the world to use the newest, non-invasive capsule endoscopy technology. Pill endoscopy offers convenience as well as a faster, more comfortable experience for the patient — with clearer images and quicker results.

What is Pill Endoscopy?

The pill camera procedure allows doctors to get a clear view of the small bowel, which is the small intestine portion of your digestive tract. The small intestine is difficult to view using other endoscopic procedures.

The Medtronic PillCam^TM Genius SB endoscopy kit includes a capsule and a link device. The camera is very small — the size of a pill. Advanced technology allows this small camera to take thousands of pictures in high detail as it passes through your small bowel.

The small bowel is about 20–22 feet long. It’s located between the stomach and the large intestine, and it absorbs nutrients from the foods you eat. The small bowel’s inner lining is called mucosa. Until recently, the mucosa was difficult to see without an invasive endoscope (a long, flexible tube) through the mouth or anus. Doctors now get a clear view of this inner lining with the pill camera procedure.

Since each pill endoscopy kit is used only one time and for one patient, the device can do its work as the patient goes about their day outside the hospital. No procedure room needed, and there’s no time waiting at the hospital for your imaging procedure to finish.

Pill endoscopy is a non-invasive GI diagnostic test that marks cutting-edge progress in gastrointestinal medicine. This state-of-the-art capsule allows small intestine imaging, including a view of the inner lining of the small bowel.

What to Expect from a Pill Endoscopy

What to expect before a capsule endoscopy

Patients are given specific instructions from their doctor about how to prepare for a pill endoscopy. Most patients are asked to drink clear liquids, followed by complete fasting for a period of time before the capsule endoscopy begins.

What to expect during a capsule endoscopy

To begin, the patient swallows a pill-sized camera with a glass of water. This occurs under the supervision of a trained medical professional in a gastroenterology office. Then a small, single-use receiver is applied like a sticker on the patient’s abdomen. It’s discretely worn under their clothes. This receiver — called the PillCam^TM Genius Link Device — records the images taken by the capsule’s camera. Designed with patient comfort in mind, the sticker is easy to apply and to remove.

Most patients are able to leave the medical office and conduct their day as usual. Depending on their current health condition, some patients need to be monitored more closely throughout the day. As the camera passes through the digestive tract, it takes images recorded by the small, adhesive link device. This process typically takes several hours.

This device uses small vibrations, audible signals, and LED lights to gently alert the patient when their procedure is complete. At the end of the study, patients remove the sticker and return it to their doctor. Trained GI staff download the pictures and create a video of the detailed images for evaluation.

What to expect after a capsule endoscopy

Pill endoscopies help your doctor diagnose a condition, as well as plan treatments or assess the effectiveness of an ongoing care plan. Once your doctor reviews the images, they’ll contact you with the result and what it means for you.

Within a few days, the capsule passes in your stool during a normal bowel movement.

Why is Pill Endoscopy Performed?

Capsule endoscopy is an effective way to detect a number of GI disorders or to learn more about a known condition. It’s the main way doctors assess the mucosa in patients with suspected bleeding caused by a lesion in the small bowel.

Not only used for GI bleeding diagnosis, pill endoscopy also is used to monitor and detect these and other conditions:

• Crohn’s disease
• Hereditary polyposis syndrome
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Refractory celiac disease
• Small bowel tumors, including cancer

Benefits and Advantages of Pill Endoscopy

From start to finish, patients enjoy a range of benefits and are seeing great results. Here are just a few of the advantages of this latest technology:

• Convenience
• High-resolution images for accurate diagnosis
• No sedation (anesthesia) needed
• Non-invasive, pain-free testing

What to Expect from the Procedure at UHealth

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Is Pill Endoscopy Right for You?

Only a doctor can determine if a pill endoscopy is right for you. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as:

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Patients with these conditions are not good candidates for a pill camera procedure:

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Speak with your doctor to learn more. Only a physician can accurately diagnose your condition and create an effective treatment plan. If you need to find a GI specialist, look no further than UHealth’s gastroenterology team.

FAQs About Pill Endoscopy

Why Choose UHealth for Your Pill Endoscopy?

As the first team in the world to use the latest capsule endoscopy device, UHealth is leading the way in the GI medical field. We know that living with a digestive condition isn’t easy. It often interferes with everyday activities and impacts your quality of life. If it’s right for you, the capsule endoscopy could provide the answers you’ve been searching for about your digestive condition.

At UHealth, your health and comfort is top priority. Our experts are trained in the full range of GI conditions, and our compassionate team keeps you at the center of all decisions.

By combining advanced training with expert skill and state-of-the-art technology, we’re dedicated to finding answers and creating the best treatment plan for you. Rest assured, you’re in good hands with our highly skilled and experienced GI experts.

Our pill endoscopy team is led by Jodie Barkin, M.D. Others who perform pill endoscopies include: XXX. No matter your digestive condition, we have the multidisciplinary specialists needed to address it.