Inspection of the human stomach using remote-controlled capsule endoscopy: A feasibility study in healthy volunteers (with videos)

Background: Remote control of capsule endoscopes might allow reliable inspection of the human stomach. Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of manipulation of a modified capsule endoscope with magnetic material (magnetic maneuverable capsule [MMC]) in the human stomach by using a handheld external magnet. Design Open clinical trial. Setting Academic hospital. Patients Ten healthy volunteers. Interventions Subjects swallowed the MMC and sherbet powder for gastric distention. An external magnetic paddle (EMP-2) was used to manipulate the MMC within the stomach. MMC responsiveness was evaluated on a screen showing the MMC film in real time. Main Outcome Measurements Safety and tolerability (questionnaire), gastric residence time of the MMC, its responsiveness to the EMP-2, area of gastric mucosa visualized. Results There were no adverse events. The MMC was always clearly attracted by the EMP-2 and responded to its movements. It remained in the stomach for 39 ± 24 mi nutes. In 7 subjects, both the cardia and the pylorus were inspected and 75% or more of the gastric mucosa was visualized (