SwallowCam™

Background

Power Beat’s SwallowCam™ project is the first to evolve from the Biomedical & Atomic Systems Investigations Society (BASIS). This Society was established as an alternative method for developing new systems and technology for the advancement of medical science. BASIS is a group made up of experienced medical doctors and scientists on the one part and experienced engineers including radio, electronics and precision engineers on the second part.

BASIS was established to meet regularly as a group to discuss new concepts and solutions for application by the medical profession.

 

Introduction

Power Beat’s ultraviolet miniature video camera system and wireless transceiver can be swallowed.

Patients carry a small Digital Video Recorder (DVR) in a clothing pocket for 8 hours whilst the miniature SwallowCam™ progresses through the digestive system.

The live video feed can also be watched on any standard television set nearby via an RF relay embedded in the DVR carried by the patient.

Recorded MPEG4 images can be downloaded by a medical professional from the small DVR when it is handed in after 8 hours.

Ultraviolet tracing highlights any abnormal cells or tissue structures in the digestive system including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon.

Power Beat’s SwallowCam™ includes an Inductive Contact Ring (ICR), which allows the camera to be stopped and reoriented at some positions during its progression through the digestive system.

This procedure is accomplished primarily by the ability to watch the output video live on any video monitor including a computer screen or ordinary television set.

The ICR technology uses proprietary electrical interface circuits and control software from outside the body.

Also available due to advances in video imaging technology is the ability to rapidly distinguish variations in intestinal walls cells.

The procedure is painless with the SwallowCam™ passing out of the body during a normal bowel motion.

 

Advantages Over Existing Technology

SwallowCam™ is a low cost alternative to existing PillCam and endoscopy technology. SwallowCam’s ultraviolet illumination variation technology allows for tracing techniques to be used in order to highlight internal abnormalities. Images are viewable on a standard television monitor providing for efficient mapping. SwallowCam™ also includes two-way interactive control of speed and orientation of the camera pill. The pill is able to be stopped and rolled into reverse orientation from outside the body. A small cavity within the SwallowCam™ can also be triggered to discharge targeted medication. The discharge can be triggered from outside the body.

External control of the above functions is painless and efficient.

 

Market

Endoscopy and Gastroscopy procedures are relatively invasive and require anesthetics before administration. These procedures cannot enter the small intestine.

SwallowCam™ is a painless procedure which can be used to reduce public health waiting lists for exploratory operations.

SwallowCam™ can be mass produced for under US$100.00 each. No specialist staff are required to administer the SwallowCam™. The ultraviolet tracing system makes it possible for computer video analysis techniques to highlight abnormalities thus reducing medical specialist time to analyze and request invasive follow-up where necessary.

 

Applications

• Medical
• Industrial
• Search and Rescue
• Airport Drug Search
• Veterinary

 

Estimated Costs

High volume production costs for each SwallowCam™ are estimated at between US$60.00 to US$100.00 per unit. The wireless interface with off-the-shelf DVR hardware and MPEG4 software compression system will require additional volume production costs of between US$80.00 to US$100.00 per unit.

NOTE: The DVR components are not disposable items and can be continuously reused. Ultraviolet tracing software and interface system (connections etc) is also a one-off cost at around US$20 per patient.

 

Business Partnership

Power Beat International Limited (PBIL) is seeking investment partner(s) to complete commercial development of its SwallowCam™ technology.

PBIL employs experienced electronics, radio, precision and software engineers. The Company has long experience in video modulation, capture and transmission techniques including light emitting diode point to point high bandwidth transceiver technology.

A joint venture funding or licensing arrangement is an acceptable option for this initiative.

Most hardware components, including injection-molding tools, can be produced at PBIL. All circuit board designs and initial surface mount production can also be produced by PBIL. Full-scale production can be shifted to a start-up company.