The University of Miami Health System (UHealth)HeH successfully performed the first ingestion of the newest PillCam offering. Medtronic won FDA clearance for this enhanced offering in May.
PillCam capsule endoscopy has been in use for more than 20 years. Medtronic won FDA clearance for the PillCam Small Bowel (SB) 3 system for remote endoscopy procedures in late 2021. The technology is delivered straight to a patient, and via a telehealth appointment, a provider guides the patient through the remote procedure.
The PillCam Genius SB kit offers flexibility through simplified equipment management. It enables the procedure to take place at a hospital, clinic or the home. Medtronic designed it specifically to visualize the small bowel mucosa in adult patients. It aids in the detection and monitoring of conditions like Crohn’s disease, obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia. It’s especially useful when these abnormalities are not identified through traditional upper or lower endoscopy.
Medtronic said its offering features a link device that replaces traditional data recorders as well. The wearable, single-use device efficiently stores images transmitted by the capsule. It also alerts patients via haptic vibrations, audible signals, and LED lights when they complete the procedure. The company says its system minimizes discomfort with a patient-friendly adhesive, too.
“Advancing diagnostic precision while prioritizing patient convenience is at the core of what we do,” said Raj Thomas, president of the Endoscopy business at Medtronic. “This first ingestion highlights the potential of the PillCam Genius SB kit to transform small bowel diagnostics, providing greater accessibility and ease for both patients and clinicians alike.”
