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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 21, 2006; 12(47): 7690-7694
Published online Dec 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i47.7690
Non-invasive measurement of pan-colonic pressure over a whole digestive cycle: Clinical applications of a capsule-style manometric system
Wen-Qiang Zhang, Guo-Zheng Yan, Lian-Zhi Yu, Xin-Qing Yang
Wen-Qiang Zhang, Guo-Zheng Yan, Lian-Zhi Yu, Institute of Medical Precise Instrumentation, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Xin-Qing Yang, Department of Anorectology, Chaoyang Hospital affiliated to Capital University of Medical sciences, Beijing 100020, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the High Technology Research and Development Program of China, No. 2004AA404013
Correspondence to: Wen-Qiang Zhang, Institute of Medical Precise Instrumentation, Shanghai Jiaotong University, No. 800, Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China. zwq2006@hotmail.com
Telephone: +86-21-34204435 Fax: +86-21-34204434
Received: August 2, 2006
Revised: October 20, 2006
Accepted: October 28, 2006
Published online: December 21, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To study the prolonged colonic motility under normal conditions with a novel capsule-style micro-system and to assess its clinical significance.

METHODS: A single use telemetry capsule (10 mm in diameter, 20 mm in length) embedded with a pressure sensor was ingested by the subjects. The sensor is capable of transmitting colonic pressure wirelessly for more than 130 h. The time of capsule entering the segmental colon was detected by ultrasound. The ultrasonic electrodes were mounted on the surface of the ileocecum and navel and at the junction of the left and rectosigmoid colon of the subjects in sequence, which were identified by abdominal X-rays with radiopaque markers. To verify the accuracy and reliability of ultrasonic detection of telemetry capsules at key points of colon, the segmental colonic transit time was simultaneously recorded by using radiopaque markers.

RESULTS: The signal lamp showed that all recorders could receive the radio signal transmitted by the telemetry capsule. The X-rays showed that all telemetry capsules were detected successfully when they were passing through the key points of colon. There was a significant correlation between the transit results obtained by ultrasonic detection or by radiopaque markers. Colorectal recording was obtained from 20 healthy subjects during 613 h (411 h during waking, 202 h during sleep). Compared to waking, the number of pressure contractions and the area under pressure contractions were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased during sleep (21 ± 5 h-1vs 15 ± 4 h-1, 463 ± 54 mmHg·s/min vs 342 ± 45 mmHg·s/min). The colonic motility exhibited significant regional variations both in the circadian behavior and in response to waking and meal.

CONCLUSION: The capsule-style micro-system is reliable and noninvasive, and may represent a useful tool for the study of physiology and pathology of colonic motor disorders.

Keywords: Colon; Pan-colonic pressure; Pan-colonic motor activity; Telemetry