Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy uses a tiny wireless camera the size of a large vitamin pill. You simply swallow it with water, and as it travels naturally through your digestive tract, it takes thousands of high-quality images of your small intestine — an area that's difficult to reach with standard endoscopes.

Capsule endoscopy is the best way to examine the small intestine, which is over 6 meters long and impossible to reach with standard endoscopes. It's especially valuable for finding the source of unexplained GI bleeding, diagnosing Crohn's disease, detecting small tumors, and evaluating celiac disease.

1. You swallow the capsule with a glass of water — it's about the size of a large vitamin pill
2. You wear a small recording device on a belt around your waist
3. The capsule takes 2–6 photos per second as it travels through your small intestine
4. You can go about your normal day while the capsule works
5. After 8–12 hours, you return the recorder — the capsule passes naturally in your stool

8–12 hours (automatic)

• ✓Fasting for 12 hours before swallowing the capsule
• ✓Clear liquid diet the evening before
• ✓Your doctor may ask you to take a mild prep solution

• •Swallowing the capsule is easy — most patients have no difficulty
• •You'll avoid eating for a few hours, then can have light meals
• •No sedation is needed — you're fully awake and active all day
• •The capsule is disposable and passes naturally — you don't need to retrieve it