Camera in a pill: Revolutionary technology for gastrointestinal diagnostics now available on Guam

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

A non-invasive technology for examining the digestive tract without needing sedation or a traditional endoscope is now available on Guam.

Guam Regional Medical City has introduced a new procedure known as Magnetically Controlled Capsule Endoscopy, which utilizes the NaviCam camera pill.

This technological advancement was funded through a grant from the USDA Rural Development Program.

Dr. Supannee “Jill” Rassameehiran, GRMC’s gastroenterologist/hepatologist, and Dr. Paul Muna Aguon, the gastroenterologist/advanced endoscopist at GMH, completed local training on the new medical procedure.

Patients from both GRMC and Guam Memorial Hospital have access to this procedure at GRMC.

As part of this collaboration, Dr. Muna Aguon’s patients will receive their MCCE procedures at GRMC, ensuring that they will benefit from this innovative technology in a facility equipped to perform it.

“This small camera pill lets us see inside your stomach clearly without using any tubes or putting you to sleep,” said Dr. Jill. “It’s faster, safer and much more comfortable for our patients.”

Muna Aguon said the sophisticated sedation-free modality enhances the physicians' ability to evaluate complex gastrointestinal disease in high-risk patients with greater safety and efficiency.

How it works

The patient swallows a small capsule, about the size of a vitamin. Inside the capsule is a tiny camera, light and wireless transmitter.

The capsule is moved inside the stomach using a magnet that a doctor guides above the patient’s abdomen. The magnet can be guided in five different directions to navigate the capsule precisely throughout the stomach.

According to Dr. Jason Baker, director of Medical Affairs and AnX Academy at ANX Robotica, the capsule can be controlled in two ways: The procedure can be performed manually by a trained operator using joysticks, or automatically by simply clicking a button to activate GastroScan, FDA-approved software that autonomously drives the capsule, scanning the stomach from start to finish in approximately 20 minutes.

The capsule sends live, high-quality images to a computer, allowing doctors to closely inspect the entire stomach lining for signs of irritation, ulcers, inflammation, or other digestive issues.

After the exam, the capsule passes naturally through the digestive system without any discomfort or recovery time.

“It’s incredibly exciting to bring the NaviCam® system to Guam,” said Dr. Baker. “This cutting-edge technology gives patients access to a safe, comfortable, and highly effective way to examine the stomach.”

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