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Review
. 2025 Jun 4;12(6):613.
doi: 10.3390/bioengineering12060613.

Capsule Endoscopy: Current Trends, Technological Advancements, and Future Perspectives in Gastrointestinal Diagnostics

Chang-Chao Su  1 , Chu-Kuang Chou  1   2   3 , Arvind Mukundan  4   5 , Riya Karmakar  4 , Binusha Fathima Sanbatcha  6 , Chien-Wei Huang  7   8 , Wei-Chun Weng  7 , Hsiang-Chen Wang  4   9   10
Affiliations
Review

Capsule Endoscopy: Current Trends, Technological Advancements, and Future Perspectives in Gastrointestinal Diagnostics

Chang-Chao Su et al. Bioengineering (Basel). .

Abstract

Capsule endoscopy (CE) has revolutionized gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostics by providing a non-invasive, patient-centered approach to observing the digestive tract. Conceived in 2000 by Gavriel Iddan, CE employs a diminutive, ingestible capsule containing a high-resolution camera, LED lighting, and a power supply. It specializes in visualizing the small intestine, a region frequently unreachable by conventional endoscopy. CE helps detect and monitor disorders, such as unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease, and cancer, while presenting a lower procedural risk than conventional endoscopy. Contrary to conventional techniques that necessitate anesthesia, CE reduces patient discomfort and complications. Nonetheless, its constraints, specifically the incapacity to conduct biopsies or therapeutic procedures, have spurred technical advancements. Five primary types of capsule endoscopes have emerged: steerable, magnetic, robotic, tethered, and hybrid. Their performance varies substantially. For example, the image sizes vary from 256 × 256 to 640 × 480 pixels, the fields of view (FOV) range from 140° to 360°, the battery life is between 8 and 15 h, and the frame rates fluctuate from 2 to 35 frames per second, contingent upon motion-adaptive capture. This study addresses a significant gap by methodically evaluating CE platforms, outlining their clinical preparedness, and examining the underexploited potential of artificial intelligence in improving diagnostic precision. Through the examination of technical requirements and clinical integration, we highlight the progress made in overcoming existing CE constraints and outline prospective developments for next-generation GI diagnostics.

Keywords: PillCam; capsule endoscope; hybrid capsule endoscopy; machine learning; magnetic capsule endoscopy; narrow-band imaging; robotic capsule endoscopy; steerable capsule endoscope; white-light imaging.

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Conflict of interest statement

Hsiang-Chen Wang from Hitspectra Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The direct comparison between the traditional and the capsule endoscope.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Working principle of the steerable capsule endoscope.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Working principle of the magnetic capsule endoscope.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Robotic capsule endoscope.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Hybrid capsule endoscope.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Different endoscopic companies’ capsules.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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