There are few medical procedures feared more than a colonoscopy. But what if there was another way to screen patients for colon cancer that's much less intrusive?
Now there is: The PillCam, an ingestible camera that takes high-speed photographs as it works its way through the digestive system and helps doctors spot polyps and other early signs of colon cancer was just cleared by the Food and Drug Administration.
The device is designed for patients who have had trouble with the cringe-inducing colonoscopy procedure, which involves probing the large intestine with a tiny camera embedded in a four-foot long, flexible tube.
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PillCam: The FDA has approved a device that could do away with traditional - and intrusive - colonoscpy procedures
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Dreaded: A colonoscopy is one of the most dreaded medical procedures. But the PillCam could ease the fear and encourage more people to have their colons checked
The Israeli company's technology, developed from missile defense systems, uses a battery-powered camera to take high-speed photos as it slowly winds its way through the intestinal tract over eight hours. The images are transmitted to a recording device worn around the patient's waist and later reviewed by a doctor.
While Given's wireless, image-beaming system may sound like science fiction, it's actually more than a decade old. In 2001, the company received FDA approval for a similar device used to get a close-up view of the small intestine.
At that time, analysts expected Given's approach to grow into a direct competitor to traditional colonoscopy. But company studies found that images taken by the mini-camera were not quite as clear as those from the in-office procedure. As a result, the company has pursued a more limited market for its device: patients who have trouble undergoing standard colonoscopies.
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Images from the PillCam (like this one) are sent to an external recording device worn around the patients' waist
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The images recorded on the external belt are then viewed by a doctor. The PillCam costs about $500 - nearly $3,500 cheaper than a colonoscopy
The FDA on Monday cleared the company's PillCam Colon for patients who have experienced an incomplete colonoscopy. Given estimates 750,000 U.S. patients are not able to complete the procedure each year, due to anatomy issues, previous surgery or various colon diseases.
Even with this limited indication, analysts estimate the new pillcam could grow to sales of over $60 million in North America by 2019, with room for expansion as the technology improves. MorningStar analyst Debbie Wang said the company has shrewdly positioned the device as another tool in the gastrointestinal specialist's kit, rather than a direct competitor.
'Given's management understands that the traditional colonoscopy is the gastroenterologist's bread and butter right now,' Wang said. 'So they didn't want to do anything that would position this as a substitute.'
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Given Imaging: The developer of PillCam is an Israeli company that got the idea while using similar cameras in a missile defense system
Wang notes that Given's PillCam costs $500, significantly less than the roughly $4,000 rate for colonoscopy. Eventually, she thinks doctors may use the device to attract adults who avoid regular screenings due to fears of pain, embarrassment and general discomfort. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines currently recommend regular colonoscopies beginning at age 50 and continuing through age 75, though most U.S. adults don't follow the recommendations.
In December, Irish medical device firm Covidien said it would buy Given for about $860 million. Given Imaging, headquartered in Yoqneam, Israel, markets seven lines of medical devices and surgical supplies, including pillcams to screen the esophagus and small intestine.
Pillcam Colon was previously approved in 80 other countries, including in Japan, Europe and Latin America.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2551377/Colonoscopies-replaced-camera-comes-PILL-FDA-green-lights-revolutionary-treatment.html#ixzz2sNsn2B00
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