The technology behind capsule endoscopy systems is essentially a miniaturized video camera that is ingested in pill form, and delivers video images as it passes through the GI tract. Although there are limitations to this type of system--including a lack of manual control by physicians and limitations for use in patients with narrow GI tracts or suspected obstructions--its benefits are considerable, particularly as a noninvasive approach to diagnosing conditions in the small bowel and detecting small pathologies. It is also cost-effective, administered on an outpatient basis, and can provide wireless imaging transfer. The advancing technology of capsule endoscopy systems, the increasing number of procedures using the technology, and growing education about the systems will contribute to high growth.

The major companies supplying this niche area include Given Imaging (Yokneam, Israel), and Olympus Corporation (Tokyo, Japan). Given Imaging originally launched the small bowel (SB) PillCam Capsule endoscopy platform system in 2001, and is currently continuing to roll-out its second generation PillCams. In September 2007, Olympus announced the launch of the Endo Capsule for visualizing small bowel mucosa. The product offers automatic lighting using six light emitting diodes (LEDs), two images per second transmission, and recording a time of approximately eight hours.

“Capsule endoscopy systems have been marketed for a decade, but now we are seeing the impact of second-generation products and new competitors,” said Bruce Carlson, the publisher of Kalorama Information.

Capsule endoscopy has been one of the fastest areas of revenue growth for manufacturers, charting 12.9% growth annually since 2007, according to the Kalorama Information report.

Related Links:
Kalorama Information
Given Imaging
Olympus Corporation