Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a tethered, pill-sized endoscope that creates detailed images of the esophageal wall. The imaging system, which is enclosed in a capsule about the size of a multivitamin pill, allows doctors to map a person's esophagus in microscopic detail within a few minutes.
A paper (subscription required) published yesterday in Nature Medicine describes researchers' work. The video above illustrates how the device works, it's advantages over traditional endoscopy and it's potential use for screen patients for Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition usually caused by chronic exposure to stomach acid.
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Via Spoonful of Medicine
