HEALTH CANADA LICENSES REMOTE INGESTION OF CAPSOCAM PLUS® DURING COVID-19 PERIOD

January 5, 2021

Mississauga, ON – January 5, 2021 – PENTAX Medical, a healthcare industry leader in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy solutions, in partnership with CapsoVision, Inc., an innovator in the gastroenterology diagnostics market, announced today the expanded availability of the CapsoCam Plus® video capsule system, with Health Canada licensing. This product expansion enables at-home administration of the CapsoCam Plus® small bowel capsule endoscope during the COVID-19 pandemic for eligible patients, permitting a fully remote capsule endoscopy procedure and effectively eliminating the need for in-person interactions between clinicians and their patients.

CapsoCam Plus® is the only capsule endoscopy system on the market that captures a seamless 360-degree panoramic view of the small bowel mucosa, providing detailed imaging and a larger vertical field of view for optimal tissue characterization. CapsoCam Plus® is also unrivaled as the only self-contained capsule endoscopy system that does not require any external equipment that must be worn by the patient and returned to the clinic within 8 to 12 hours. This unique feature creates the ability for an entirely remote procedure to take place:

  • Patients deemed eligible swallow the device under the video supervision of a physician.
  • Once ingested, the pill-sized device passes through the gastrointestinal tract, capturing 360-degree visualization of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum.
  • After passing through the system, a specialized retriever kit is used to collect the capsule, which is then sent back to the hospital.
  • The capsule data is then uploaded to the CapsoView™ software interface on a desktop for physician viewing and evaluation.

“The ability to perform complex studies of the small intestine remotely, with a capsule, is a significant advance in our management strategies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Robert Enns, M.D., F.R.C.P., Gastroenterologist from Vancouver, BC. “Patients with suspected small bowel disorders can be reviewed via telehealth and, even if they are in a remote location, can have a small bowel study carried out in the comfort, convenience, and safety of their own home. We have already performed many of these procedures in a flawless fashion and believe that even after the COVID-19 pandemic, this management strategy will continue to thrive.”

Manufactured by CapsoVision, Inc. and distributed exclusively in Canada by PENTAX Medical, the CapsoCam Plus® video capsule system provides a timely and innovative solution in response to endoscopy limitations and exposure risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing patient access, improving comfort, reducing associated costs, and increasing ease of use.

“The CapsoCam Plus® video capsule system delivers high-quality diagnostic images without creating a risk of in-person exposure to COVID-19. Our combined team at PENTAX Medical and CapsoVision is proud to contribute during the pandemic and to continue to innovate within the emerging telehealth paradigm,” said Johnny Wang, President, and CTO, CapsoVision, Inc.

For additional information, please visit the CapsoCam Plus® video capsule system product webpage.


About PENTAX Medical

PENTAX Medical is a division of Hoya Group. Its mission is to improve the standard of patient care and enhance patients’ and providers’ experience by providing the best endoscopic products and services with a focus on QUALITY, CLINICALLY RELEVANT INNOVATION, and SIMPLICITY. Through leading-edge R&D and manufacturing, PENTAX Medical provides endoscopy solutions to the global medical community. Headquartered in Japan, PENTAX Medical has a worldwide focus and presence with R&D, regional sales, service, and in-country facilities around the globe. PENTAX Medical employees represent the diverse countries where we do business, allowing us to provide innovative solutions tailored to meet local needs. For more information, visit pentaxmedical.com/ca

About CapsoVision, Inc.

CapsoVision, Inc. is a global medical device innovator located in Silicon Valley. A company with out-of-the-box thinking and top-notch talent, CapsoVision’s mission is to empower physicians and patients with innovative technologies that improve diagnostic confidence and clinical outcomes. CapsoVision currently offers the CapsoCam Plus capsule endoscopy system in over 70 countries and CapsoCloud® services in the USA. Visit www.CapsoVision.com  for more information.

About Capsule Endoscopy

Small bowel capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive procedure in which a capsule with tiny camera(s) is swallowed by a patient and is used to visualize the mid-gastrointestinal tract (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum).

Contact Information

Mariano Franco
905-580-7725
mariano.franco@pentaxmedical.com