Inside knowledge: Check-Cap’s capsule may help doctors screen for polyps, the precursors of colorectal cancer.
Check-Cap designed an ingestible capsule that snaps pictures as it travels through the bowels. The device, which employs low energy X-ray-based technology to safely generate high resolution 3D imagery, may help doctors detect colorectal cancer. No cleansing involved. The capsule continuously transmits information to a wrist-worn data receiver. Patients can go play a round of golf or take a walk while the tiny device does its work. At the end of the journey, the capsule leaves the body the “natural” way.
The $250 million healthymagination fund invests in promising healthcare technology companies. It has focused on diagnostics, medical information management technology, and life sciences.
GE Healthcare and Check-Cap will also design and manufacture miniature cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) diagnostic imaging sensors placed inside each Check-Cap capsule. The sensors will give clinicians a full 360-degree view as the capsule moves through the colon. GE Healthcare has many years of experience in developing CZT-based detectors. Similar technologies have been used in the company’s nuclear medicine and bone densitometry systems.
Intrepid traveler: As it moves through the colon, the device transmits data to a wrist-worn receiver. No bowel cleansing required.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second in women, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Almost 60 percent of the cases occur in developed regions. Globally, it is the fourth most common cause of death from cancer. About 608,000 deaths from colorectal cancer are estimated worldwide annually, accounting for 8 percent of all cancer deaths. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer.
Check-Cap plans to introduce its capsule in the European Union in late 2013, subject to regulatory approval. The company is also in discussions with the U. S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
This is super news and I hope it will pass the FDA for use in the US. I am a 49 year old female that was diagnosed with colon polyps at the age of 30. I recently had an emergency colonscopy that detected cancerous cells. I will have my next colonoscopy in 3 years if no problems occur before then. My mother passed away 2 years ago with colon cancer so I need to be very proactive with this disease.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea simplicity is the key and to get the Insurance company to cover It
ReplyDeleteHope this is a success because I have had SIGS or colonoscopys,due to family history for many years.
ReplyDeleteWould be willing to try it if you need trial patients.
Don Hanna
This is very interesting technology. I have recently had 2 adenomatous polyps removed and will need to have a repeat in 3 years. It would be great to simply swallow capsule instead of litres of fluid for days of cleansing
ReplyDeleteI'm proud to work for a company that invests in this type of technology...I lost my dad to colon cancer. I have no doubt this device will save countless lives. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteWill it work in the Large bowel, or is ie just for the small bowel? I hope it is better than the 2 others that are on the market now!
ReplyDeleteI truly hope this is approved by the FDA and completely covered by American health insurance companies for those with a family history of colon cancer. My brother died of the disease at age 43. I had my first adenomatous polyp removed this year at age 45 and will be watched the rest of my life. This is great technology and I am pleased GE Healthcare is investing in it. Kudos, GE, you really do/can make a difference in people's lives.
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