Using Spectrally Encoded Confocal Microscopy (SECM) to Image the Esophagus

Pilot Study to Image the Esophagus Using Spectrally Encoded Confocal Microscopy (SECM)

The goal of this study is to test the feasibility and the tolerability of a tethered spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) capsule and to use it to image the esophagus.

96 participants including healthy volunteers, patients with a suspicion of having Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) and patients with a current or prior clinical diagnosis of EoE will be recruited and asked to swallow the SECM capsule while being awake and unsedated. The capsule is attached to a tether which allows the operator to control as well as navigate the capsule as it progresses down the esophagus using natural propulsive force called peristalsis.

As the capsule progresses, multiple 2-dimensional cross-sectional images of the esophagus are acquired. Images are analyzed at a later stage.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant must be a healthy volunteer
• OR participant must have a suspicion of EoE
• OR participant must have a prior clinical suspicion of EoE
• Participant must be older than 14 years of age
• Participant must be able to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with the inability to swallow pills and capsules.
• Esophageal fistula and/or esophageal strictures with a stricture diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the capsule.
• Participants with prior endoscopic ablation or resection treatment of Barrett's Esophagus (BE)