Researchers developed MAGIC capsule to detect stomach cancer signs sooner

Researchers have developed a pill-sized “MAGIC” capsule that detects stomach (esophageal) cancer symptoms earlier when a patient consumes it. This capsule can also diagnose, monitor, and treat gastrointestinal diseases, including Barret’s esophagus.

Scientists consider Barret’s esophagus a beginning condition of stomach or esophageal cancer. They have named this capsule MAGIC, which stands for multifunctional ablative gastrointestinal imaging capsule.

*Magic capsule could catch esophageal cancer signs sooner*

This research is a scientific breakthrough as the MAGIC capsule is a less harmful and more cost-effective technique. It has the potential to replace costly tube-based endoscopies to detect cancer symptoms in the stomach.

Xinde Li is a senior research author and professor of biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University. He stated the advantage of an easy-to-swallow binding capsule is it needs no sedation and recovery time to detect cancer as in the case of traditional endoscopy.

Hence, they can screen more patients and detect earlier stages of disease in less than ten minutes. Doctors can also identify gastrointestinal issues and provide treatment in a single procedure with a MAGIC pill.

However, the patient consumes a MAGIC capsule that John Hopkins University Researchers developed. This capsule is about the size of two multivitamin pills. It is linked to a thread during a capsule endoscopy test.

Tiny cameras within the capsule capture images of minute features above and below the esophageal surface as it passes down the esophagus. It is a muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.

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Even though capsule endoscopes have convenient treatment to detect early signs of cancer in the stomach. There are some issues with them compared to traditional endoscopies.

MAGIC capsules could not create sharp images of esophageal cancers, which can be related to their single wavelength of image capture.

However, researcher Hyeon-Cheol Park said MAGIC capsule can reach an imaging resolution with dual wavelengths. It can greatly exceed the current capsule technology.