Feasibility Trial of Magnetic-assisted Colonoscope Platform

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program can reduce colon cancer-related mortality. Current CRC screening methods include stool occult blood and DNA testing, blood based tests and radiologic tests. Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard to detect colorectal neoplasms. Previous studies have estimated that cancer mortality to be 68% to 88% lower among persons who undergo screening colonoscopy than among those who do not. However, colonoscopy is an invasive examination, and 10% to 20% of patients fail to tolerate the procedure; therefore, greatly reduces the success rate of completion of colon examination.
External controllability of capsule endoscope by means of an applied magnetic field is a possible solution to the maneuvering problem. However, there is no effective system with straight forward clinical applicability till now. This is ascribable to a lack of reliable magnetic instrumentation suitable for such a purpose. We have reported that magnetic field navigator (MFN) can effectively control the locomotion of capsule endoscope. We have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of magnetic-assisted capsule endoscope for the examination of upper gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we develop a magnetic-assisted capsule colonoscope by combination of the integrated circuit complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor imaging sensor, light-emitting diode, and magnetic control technology. This magnetic-assisted capsule colonoscope operation system includes a MFN Platform, high-end hand-controlled joystick, combined circuit component, control interface and software. This magnetic-assisted capsule colonoscope operation system creates a friendly operating environment for the operators, and may establishe a novel screening system for the colon.