Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Motility With SmartPill

Clinical Evaluation of SmartPill Capsule for Investigation of Total Intestinal Transit Time and Intestinal Pathology in Critically Ill Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a capsule (SmartPill~) measuring pH, pressure and temperature from within the entire GI tract to determine gastric emptying time, combined small and large bowel transit time and total transit time. In addition, the Capsule will characterize pressure patterns and provide motility indices for the antrum and duodenum. It is believed that the condition of your digestive system can have a large impact on your overall physical health. Therefore,the investigators would like to assess whether using the pill device helps to determine any functional problems in patients in the ICU. The investigators are studying ICU patients because any change in their condition can have a large impact on their recovery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• suffered from traumatic or non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage and were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) at University of Louisville Hospital
• sedated and had tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation
• older than 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• younger than 18 years
• multiple injuries, especially abdominal trauma or inflammatory bowel disease
• history of complicated abdominal surgery or unknown type of abdominal surgery
• clinical evidence of ileus or suspected bowel obstruction
• a pacemaker