Design of a capsule endoscopy device less susceptible to tumbling

Capsule endoscopy is currently the gold standard method for diagnosing the cause of obscure GI tract bleeding subsequent to endoscopy, and can used for the diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as Crohn's disease, Celiac Disease, and small bowel cancer. The procedure is also undergoing FDA approval for use in the colon. A drawback to the current system is the amount of time it takes the physician to review the images. This task is complicated by the unpredictable motion of the capsule as it tumbles longitudinally due to the peristaltic flow and complex environment of the intestine [1]. This work proposes a new capsule design that should be less susceptible to tumbling behavior. Initial results are presented demonstrating greater stability for the tethered pill in a system that simulates the fluid environment of the small intestine.