Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield has become the first hospital in the Midlands to introduce a new 'Genius' capsule endoscopy system, providing a less invasive method for examining the small bowel. The technology, supported by Medtronic, replaces traditional belt and bag equipment used to capture images of the small intestine.
How the Genius System Works
Patients swallow a small capsule containing a camera and light that takes thousands of pictures as it travels through the small bowel. These images help detect conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or causes of iron deficiency anaemia. Unlike the traditional bulky belt and crossbody bag with a small computer, the Genius system uses a discreet adhesive patch placed on the abdomen to receive and store images.
Rachel Hilmo, Capsule Endoscopy Practitioner, who led the launch alongside Dr Mark Andrew, Consultant Gastroenterologist, and two other nurse practitioners, said: "Patients swallow a small capsule that contains a camera and light. As it travels through the small bowel, it takes thousands of pictures that help us identify conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or the causes of iron deficiency anaemia."
Benefits for Patients
The new system is more comfortable and convenient, allowing patients to continue their normal daily activities without feeling self-conscious. Currently, patients return the patch to the hospital the next day for data download, but the long-term aim is for the technology to transmit information directly to a secure cloud-based system, enabling remote review by clinicians and reducing hospital visits.
Rachel added: "Because our capsule endoscopy service is already so well-established, we were selected for the limited market launch. We are proud to be part of testing new innovations that make a genuine difference to patient experience, and it feels like we are on the cusp of a big step forward in this field."
Future Developments
Feedback from initial patients and clinical evaluation will shape wider rollout across UHB's endoscopy services. With advances in artificial intelligence and digital integration, capsule endoscopy is expected to become even more effective and patient-friendly. Rachel noted: "It has been a whole team effort to make this happen, and I would particularly like to thank Tim from our IT Services team who was instrumental in helping us set up the technology."
