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Disco Capsule Endoscope Theme Park Video
Capsule endoscopes have been around since the late 1990's. The basic idea is that you swallow a tiny camera that takes pictures of your intestinal tract as it is pushed through by peristalsis (the muscular contractions that move food along). A physician reviews the pictures and saves you the effort of getting a full colonoscopy.
The video attached below is an entirely different kettle of fish altogether. Part promotion, part meticulous engineering diagram, part spacey consciousness-expanding overflight, part disco, part theme park (no, really!), this entirely serious informational video must be seen (and heard) to be believed.
(Sayaka capsule endoscope video)
In fact, as far as I know, all of these features have been duplicated by other capsule endoscopes, notably the one by Olympus. But they don't have cool videos, do they?
The Sayaka capsule endoscope has a camera that spins around within the capsule, photographing one small section of the intestinal wall at a time.
(The Sayaka capsule endoscope's rotating camera)
The camera provides its own little flash, as well, providing intermittent lighting (or disco strobe!) during its eight-meter journey, which can last up to eight hours.
(Great view from behind capsule showing flash)
As many as 870,000 pictures are transmitted outside the body to a receiving unit. The software application that goes with the camera then stitches together the pictures into a smooth mosaic representing the inner surface of the intestinal tract.
(The Sayaka capsule endoscope creates an intestinal wall mosaic)
You're probably wondering about the theme park. Well, if the Disney people who made the rides at Epcot's Wonders of Life pavilion ever get a hold of this video (and maybe sponsorship by Sayaka, Olympus or one of the other companies), that ride is a done deal. I can hear that music now as my little four-person capsule is pushed gently along the track...
Via Pink Tentacle.
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