Video capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive procedure that allows us to examine the entire small intestine for possible sources of bleeding.

For this procedure, we first attach sensors to your chest and then connect the sensors to a data recorder that you wear on a belt around your waist. Next, you swallow a capsule (about the size of a large pill) that contains a tiny video camera. You wear the data recorder for the rest of the day and then return it so the information can be retrieved. The capsule takes 2 pictures per second for 8 hours and transmits them to the recorder.  The capsule passes painlessly out of your body in the stool within a day or two. This exam is conveniently done right in our office and requires no sedation. 

About 57,000 images are recorded over the 8 hour period.  It takes 1-2 weeks for results.