Iowa Specialty Hospital is making medical history as the first hospital in Iowa to use a new, real-time pill camera technology to scan a patient’s gastrointestinal tract. That’s according to a report from KTTC out of Rochester, MN.
The devices, called the Medtronic GI Genius™, an artificial intelligence program that detects small growths during colonoscopies, and the Medtronic PillCam™ Genius SB™, a pill-sized camera that captures images of the small intestine, both offer a less invasive and more accurate option for patients.
Gastroenterology Leader Caitlin Larson told KTTC the improved system eliminates the need for bulky recording belts used with older technology, making the process easier for patients.
Larson says the pill cameras now attach to a small adhesive above the abdomen, allowing patients to continue their daily activities while high-resolution images are transmitted to doctors. She said the AI component helps physicians focus on the most important images, improving diagnosis of conditions including colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
Insurance coverage remains the same, Larson said, and the upgrade is more eco-friendly and cost-effective for the hospital over time.
A link to KTTC’s full story can be found here.
Photo Courtesy of Iowa Hospital Specialty Website
