PillCam
Imagine it, a widely used and comfortable replacement for the colonoscopy. Well, soon it could be a reality. The PillCam is just that, a pill that holds a camera at each end. There was a first generation with one camera, the new one is second gen. The tech is affordable enough that the pill need not be retrieved after it is passed, there's some good news huh? It is FDA approved and in trials currently.
picture is from yahoo images.
Comments
Another attack on our privacy!
Posted by Phred22 on 02/09/14 at 11:48 AM
If I ever need one I'd pay for this myself as opposed to the alternative. No crap your brains out med's followed by sedation and a four foot probe up your butt.
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 02/09/14 at 12:49 PM
Amen, BrokeDad. That's a 50th birthday present I could have gladly done without.
Posted by Eric on 02/09/14 at 02:35 PM
Oh come on guys...a little forced evacuation of the bowels, drugged out asleep, and you don't even know what has been where. A drive home by someone else and back to bed. Have had two with no residual discomfort. If you add one packet crystal light (the green flavor!) and even the taste of the solution is bearable. Of course, if the camera pills provide the same information sign me up! A thought just occurred...I wonder if one will still have drink that lovely concoction?
Posted by Steve E. on 02/09/14 at 04:33 PM
I suppose the camera pills will make looking at the upper reaches of the small intestine much easier, which sounds like a Good Thing to me.
I prefer the yellow Crystal Light, but yes, it does dramatically improve the taste of the solution - all the way up to "not quite gagging". I'm sure you still have to get cleaned out, which is the roughest bit of the whole procedure, otherwise the images will be, well, crappy. Since there's no available sunshine, I suppose they take flash pictures. I wonder if you can see the flash through the abdomen. How about in the bowl?
I prefer the yellow Crystal Light, but yes, it does dramatically improve the taste of the solution - all the way up to "not quite gagging". I'm sure you still have to get cleaned out, which is the roughest bit of the whole procedure, otherwise the images will be, well, crappy. Since there's no available sunshine, I suppose they take flash pictures. I wonder if you can see the flash through the abdomen. How about in the bowl?
Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 02/09/14 at 05:15 PM
Like shinning a flashlight through your hand! :lol: I agree Scot, not even a flash would help to see in not for a good cleaning out first. Hey, maybe it has night vision and the pics will have that greenish glow!
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 02/09/14 at 06:55 PM
It's worth it just to avoid the prep. And don't be a hero like some idiot I know who avoided the sedation in order to be able drive home by himself. Screaming like a little girl takes all the hero out of it. In retrospect, I'd settle for colon cancer.
Posted by Harvey on 02/09/14 at 11:05 PM
I drove myself home from the southern check-up and road the Kawasaki home from the northern checkup. How deep do they put you in the US?
And, while in the question asking mood, how much of the cleaner do you have to drink. We're still doing a gallon (4 liters).
And, while in the question asking mood, how much of the cleaner do you have to drink. We're still doing a gallon (4 liters).
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 02/09/14 at 11:49 PM
I didn´t get no sedation!
Posted by F.U.D. on 02/10/14 at 02:47 AM
It's like the bear said, "You're not here for the hunting, are you?"
BTW, after some more searching around I find that the pill is a bit large to swallow but the flashgun is the real bitch!
BTW, after some more searching around I find that the pill is a bit large to swallow but the flashgun is the real bitch!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 02/10/14 at 02:49 AM
The new pill cam also has GPS - Gastric Positioning System.
Unless the doctor can read a solid dark brown video, the dreaded colonoscopy prep is still needed.
Unless the doctor can read a solid dark brown video, the dreaded colonoscopy prep is still needed.
Posted by tadchem on 02/10/14 at 01:18 PM
The capsule camera has been in common use around here for 5-6 years. Yes, you need to take the same clean-out prep, but if your kidneys are healthy, your doc may allow one of the options that come in a smaller volume of liquid. Crystal Lite or something similar is still helpful to get the stuff down.
Capsule studies are intended primarily for examining the small intestine, which you can't reach with a scope. Direct examination with a scope is preferred for both upper and lower exams, since problems found can be treated immediately. If the capsule exam finds a problem in the stomach or colon, that means an additional (traditional scope) procedure.
And, since it generally takes a few days to get the report from the capsule study.... you guessed it - another day of clear liquids and drinking the prep stuff to clean out again!
Capsule studies are intended primarily for examining the small intestine, which you can't reach with a scope. Direct examination with a scope is preferred for both upper and lower exams, since problems found can be treated immediately. If the capsule exam finds a problem in the stomach or colon, that means an additional (traditional scope) procedure.
And, since it generally takes a few days to get the report from the capsule study.... you guessed it - another day of clear liquids and drinking the prep stuff to clean out again!
Posted by GI nurse on 02/10/14 at 03:10 PM
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Category: Health