PillCam™ ESO 2

PillCam™ ESO 2 is a new capsule endoscope from Israel’s Given Imaging Ltd., that just been 510(k)’ed by the FDA for imaging the esophagus. The company is reporting that U.S. marketing of the device will be done through InScope, a division of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a Johnson & Johnson company.

The PillCam™ ESO video capsule is specifically designed to view the inner lining of the Esophagus. The capsule is equipped with miniature cameras on both ends and is about the size of a multi-vitamin, which can be swallowed easily.
Three sensor arrays are strategically placed on the patient’s chest and connected to a data recorder, worn on a belt around the waist.
The patient swallows the capsule lying down, and is then raised in a series of inclinations over a total of 5 minutes. The PillCam™ ESO travels through the esophagus by normal peristaltic waves, flashing 14 times per second, each time capturing images of the inner lining of the esophagus.
As it continues down the esophagus, the images captured may identify potential abnormalities, such as Esophagitis – which is inflammation of the lining of the esophagus often caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD. Severity of symptoms is measured by a Grading system, and in severe cases, esophageal ulcers can appear.
Images captured by the PillCam™ ESO may also identify symptoms of Barrett’s Esophagus, which occurs as a result of abnormal cell growth in the lower esophagus. Columnar cells, typically found in the lining of the stomach, replace the squamous cells in the lining of the esophagus, which can lead to a cancerous condition.
During this five-minute procedure, the PillCam™ ESO captures images, which are transmitted to the sensor arrays. These images then travel from the sensors, along the wires to the DataRecorder™. At this point, the patient is permitted to get up and walk or remain seated for an additional 15 minutes to ensure the capsule has traveled the entire length of the esophagus. After dropping into the stomach, the pill is later excreted naturally.
Once all equipment is removed from the patient, the portable DataRecorder™ downloads the video images to a designated workstation, from which the physician views and assesses the results in order to recommend next steps in the patient’s treatment…
PillCam ESO 2 features include:

Improved image quality

A 21% increase in the angle of view over PillCam ESO providing physicians more than a 100 percent increase in mucosal tissue coverage

Added Automatic Light Control (ALC) to provide optimal illumination for each image

Increased capture rate of 18 frames per second (fps), capturing 30% more images

Up to 30 minutes operating time

Same dimensions as PillCam ESO

Press release: Given Imaging Receives U.S. Marketing Clearance for PillCam(R) ESO 2 …
J&J product page…
Product page: PillCam™ ESO Capsule Endoscopy …
Flashbacks: PillCam ; PillCam Colon; The Third Generation PillCam™ SB Launched; Enhanced Micron CMOS image sensor for PillCam; Given Imaging’s Agile™ Patency System; MagnaChip Image Sensor for "Pill" Camera
(hat tip: Globes [online])