nir-vana innovation network

Established Slovak research institute of one of the Slovak universities invented modified swallowable capsule endoscope that outperforms existing wired or wireless capsule endoscopes in several features. Endoscopes are electro-optical instruments that are used to visualize the internal cavities of the human body. Specialized electro-optical devices used to visualize the upper parts of the digestive tract are called esophagoscopes and the examination performed by them is called esophagoscopy. Esophagoscopy is a routine examination that is currently performed by various methods. The most widespread examination of the esophagus is called esophagogastrodudenoscopy (EGD), which allows the upper part of the digestive tract to be examined optically from the esophagus to the duodenum. Another way of gentle examination of the digestive system is the so-called capsule endoscopy wherein a wireless transmission from the capsule transmits an image from the gastrointestinal tract to a display device. Capsule endoscopy has been developed mainly for the examination of the small intestine, which is difficult to investigate by other endoscopic methods. Capsule endoscopy has been used in gastrointestinal tract examination for several years. Commercially available capsule endoscopy uses wireless technology to transmit the image from the capsule which transmits the image via electromagnetic waves to the imaging device. The disadvantage of imaging the esophagus is the fact that the capsule passes through the esophagus only once, and the doctor does not have the opportunity to move the capsule back to examine the parts of the esophagus in more detail. This drawback is partially remedied by capsule endoscopy, in which the capsule is attached by means of a vacuum suction cup to a selected part of the esophagus, on which it can be attached for several days and scan the surroundings of the attachment point. The disadvantage of this method is that the capsule only senses the surroundings of the grip and that the capsule attachment is done through the EGD of the esophagus, which puts a burden on the patient. These and other drawbacks of existing wired or wireless capsule endoscopes are corrected by the new swallow capsule endoscope developed by the university team from Slovakia.
The institute is seeking an industrial partner for licensing for the further development and commercionalization of this technology.

Advantages & innovations

Both wireless and wired capsule endoscopy currently use capsule shapes that are commonly used in pharmacy to transport drugs across the gastrointestinal tract to the patient's body. These capsule shapes are planarly symmetrical. The currently known shapes of a swallowable capsule make it difficult to remove the capsule from the esophagus because of overcoming the upper esophageal sphincter pressure. Published technical solutions of capsule endoscopes have guided feed wires to the capsule in its center at the beginning of the capsule. The lead wires positioned that way may cause the capsule to sink into the esophageal protective mucus layer which will contaminate the capsule endoscope objective. These drawbacks are overcome by the proposed technical solution for swallowable capsule endoscopes according to which the capsule has the shape of a modified truncated cone. The swallow capsule endoscope comprises a modified truncated cone-shaped capsule with a cavity in which an endoscopic module is inserted. The module includes an optical data transmission input formed by an optical system coupled to the imaging camera. There is an air gap between the optical assembly, the imaging camera, the epoxy polymer cylinder, and the light-emitting diodes, with the remainder of the cavity inside the capsule being filled with a cured dielectric polymer. The truncated cone of the 3 capsule is modified so that the surface of the cone base from which the electrical conductors emerge is smaller than the surface of the base on which the optical inlet of the capsule is located. With the proposed capsule endoscope for the examination of the esophagus, practical tests have shown that a more suitable wire-fed capsule shape is that of a modified truncated cone.

Stage of development

Prototype available for demonstration

Partner sought

Type: The institute is seeking an industrial partner for licensing the technology. Field of activity: the new device is applicable in the medical field of electro-optical instruments that are used to visualize the internal cavities of the human body. Role of partner: - license agreement - the licensing for the further development and commercionalization of this technology is sought