I concur! Combine this technology with functional MRI and functional CAT and now we'll have completely non-invasive diagnostic tools. I consider the capsule non-invasive too because it doesn't require anything other than a quick swallow. I've always had a fascination with the workings of the human body. The gut is particularly interesting when you consider that in essence, it's just one end to end open tube with some muscles in between to close sections when it's time to digest something. People tell me I missed my calling, I should have been an M.D. But the key difference between what I do now and what and M.D. does is that if a computer dies, it doesn't shake me as much as having a human patient die.
These have their place but can't take biopsy samples (essential for any diagnosis) and can't be steered to take a second look at something they missed. Not entirely free from risk either. Then again (@ kd1s) MRI and CT scans both have risks too.
The main value is that they give you direct images of the small intestine, which is too long and tortuous to get any endoscope into from either the top or the... other end
thestoreyJul 8, 2006
I have one of these for fun lolthey sent a working model to the hospital where my mom wokrs and they didnt want it so i tcame to me...
kd1sJul 8, 2006
I concur! Combine this technology with functional MRI and functional CAT and now we'll have completely non-invasive diagnostic tools. I consider the capsule non-invasive too because it doesn't require anything other than a quick swallow. I've always had a fascination with the workings of the human body. The gut is particularly interesting when you consider that in essence, it's just one end to end open tube with some muscles in between to close sections when it's time to digest something. People tell me I missed my calling, I should have been an M.D. But the key difference between what I do now and what and M.D. does is that if a computer dies, it doesn't shake me as much as having a human patient die.
palmdocJul 8, 2006
There are limitations. Then there's the Robot Worm....<a class="user" href="http://digg.com/technology/Worm-inspired_robot_crawls_through_intestines">http://digg.com/technology/Worm-inspired_robot_crawls_through_intestines</a>
dubbinJul 9, 2006
These have their place but can't take biopsy samples (essential for any diagnosis) and can't be steered to take a second look at something they missed. Not entirely free from risk either. Then again (@ kd1s) MRI and CT scans both have risks too.
thomasknowlandJul 9, 2006
You're a clever one. I eat well and exercise. Genetics stands in my way. Unless you're a world reknowned geneticist, STFU...
dubbinJul 10, 2006
The main value is that they give you direct images of the small intestine, which is too long and tortuous to get any endoscope into from either the top or the... other end
dubbinJul 10, 2006
stents