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Review
. 2015 Oct 7;21(37):10528-41.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i37.10528.

Capsule endoscopy of the future: What's on the horizon?

Piotr R Slawinski  1 , Keith L Obstein  1 , Pietro Valdastri  1
Affiliations
Review

Capsule endoscopy of the future: What's on the horizon?

Piotr R Slawinski et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Capsule endoscopes have evolved from passively moving diagnostic devices to actively moving systems with potential therapeutic capability. In this review, we will discuss the state of the art, define the current shortcomings of capsule endoscopy, and address research areas that aim to overcome said shortcomings. Developments in capsule mobility schemes are emphasized in this text, with magnetic actuation being the most promising endeavor. Research groups are working to integrate sensor data and fuse it with robotic control to outperform today's standard invasive procedures, but in a less intrusive manner. With recent advances in areas such as mobility, drug delivery, and therapeutics, we foresee a translation of interventional capsule technology from the bench-top to the clinical setting within the next 10 years.

Keywords: Capsule endoscopy; Capsule robot mobility; Diagnostic capsule; Magnetic capsule endoscopy; Therapeutic capsule.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Topic distribution of selected capsule endoscopy publications.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Artistic representation of a robotic capsule from before 2010 (Credit: Virgilio Mattoli).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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