Magnetic actuation of endoscopy capsules for enhanced gastrointestinal tract imaging

Capsule endoscopy involves the patient swallowing a capsule that travels through the gastrointestinal tract while capturing interior images. The capsule usually passes the body. However, in patients with irritable bowel disease, the capsule has a chance to become lodged due to bowel constrictions. This complication requires surgical removal, turning a non-invasive procedure into an invasive one. To prevent such an outcome, magnetic actuation can maneuver a capsule past constrictions. To test the feasibility of this, capsules were controlled within a Bowel Phantom with constrictions. Results showed that the capsule managed to maneuver through the Bowel Phantom, indicating that controlled navigation within the bowel is feasible. This result could decrease the likelihood of the capsule becoming lodged, making it a preferable option over passive capsule endoscopy.