Presbyterian Healthcare 
2003 News Releases
Camera in a Pill Attracts A Steady Stream of Patients
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January 31, 2003 Contact: Kevin M. McCarthy, Presbyterian Healthcare, 704-384-9669 |
Physicians throughout Charlotte are taking advantage of a new way of examining a patients digestive tract that is available at Presbyterian Hospital.
The patient swallows a capsule that contains a miniature camera and flashing strobe lights. Sensors are placed on the patients body and a portable "hard drive" is worn on a belt. The patient goes about normal daily activities while the camera travels through the digestive tract, taking two color images per second. The images are sent to the portable "hard drive" that stores them until they can be downloaded and viewed on a computer screen by the physician.
The disposable capsule is just 26 mm long and 11 mm wide and contains batteries that can last 6-8 hours. The patient will pass the capsule within 24 hours. The technology promises to revolutionize the diagnosis of small bowel disorders, which have been difficult to pinpoint using conventional imaging tools.
Several patients a week are currently being scheduled for the test. We will be happy to seek a patient and a physician who are willing to discuss their experience with the "camera in a pill." Feel free to call if youd like to pursue a story.
The patient swallows a capsule that contains a miniature camera and flashing strobe lights. Sensors are placed on the patients body and a portable "hard drive" is worn on a belt. The patient goes about normal daily activities while the camera travels through the digestive tract, taking two color images per second. The images are sent to the portable "hard drive" that stores them until they can be downloaded and viewed on a computer screen by the physician.
The disposable capsule is just 26 mm long and 11 mm wide and contains batteries that can last 6-8 hours. The patient will pass the capsule within 24 hours. The technology promises to revolutionize the diagnosis of small bowel disorders, which have been difficult to pinpoint using conventional imaging tools.
Several patients a week are currently being scheduled for the test. We will be happy to seek a patient and a physician who are willing to discuss their experience with the "camera in a pill." Feel free to call if youd like to pursue a story.
