endoscopy Archives - Medical Design Sourcing

The ANX Robotica capsule used by researchers. [Image courtesy of GW]

Researchers at George Washington University developed a method for remotely driving a miniature video capsule into problem areas of the stomach.

Physicians can direct the capsule to these areas to visualize and photograph potential problem areas. This technology utilizes an external magnet an handheld video game-style joysticks. Altogether, it enables physicians to move the capsule in three dimensions within the stomach, nearing the capabilities of traditional, tube-based endoscopy. Medical technology company AnX Robotica funded the research. The company created the capsule endoscopy system used in the study, called NaviCam.

Andrew Meltzer, a professor of emergency medicine at the GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences, led the research. According to GW’s website, he gained interest in this type of endoscopy after seeing firs…

The Apollo Endosurgery OverStitch Sx endoscopic suturing system [Image courtesy of Apollo Endosurgery]

Apollo Endosurgery — set to be purchased by Boston Scientific for $615 million — develops new devices and minimally invasive procedures for weight loss.

The procedure is called endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) and the device that made it possible is the OverStitch endoscopic suturing system.

Austin, Texas-based Apollo Endosurgery first won 510(k) clearance for OverStitch in 2008, with successive clearances for improved designs over the years. Most recently, in July the FDA granted de novo clearance for Apollo Endosurgery’s Apollo ESG, Apollo ESG Sx, Apollo REVISE and Apollo REVISE Sx systems. They’re the first FDA-authorized devices for ESG and endoscopic bariatric revision procedures.

Medical Design & Outsourcing spoke with Apollo Endosurgery Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christo…

endoscopy

These magnetically controlled video capsules could provide an endoscopy alternative

What’s so special about Apollo Endosurgery’s stomach-shrinking weight loss tech?