Feasibility of Remote MCE for Upper GI Tract Examination Under Five-generation Network

Feasibility of Remote Magnetically Controlled Capsule Endoscopy for Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Examination Under Five-generation Network: a Prospective, Open-label, Pilot Trial

With the combination of robotic and 5G network communication technology, telemedicine becomes more and more feasible and efficient. Magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) has been confirmed to have comparable accuracy with conventional gastroscopy with the advantages of comfort and convenience. 5G communication technology has been applied to several fields in telemedicine, but its effectiveness, safety, and stability in remote magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal tract examination have not been established. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic utility, safety, feasibility and patient's acceptability of remote magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy system under 5G network.

With the combination of robotic and 5G network communication technology, telemedicine becomes more and more feasible and efficient. On the one hand, telemedicine can conserve and optimize medical resources, providing high-quality medical services to unbalanced areas, such as rural areas, stricken areas and battlefields. On the other hand, telemedicine can reduce the time spent by patients waiting for examination and treatment and thus prevent diseases from worsening.

Magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) has been confirmed to have comparable accuracy with conventional gastroscopy with the advantages of comfort and convenience. 5G communication technology has been applied to several fields in telemedicine, but its effectiveness, safety, and stability in remote magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal tract examination have not been established.

The 5G-MCE system was provided by Ankon Technologies Co, Ltd (Shanghai, China), this system consists of three parts: remote console, remote control software (NaviRemoteCtrl), and remote connection software (NaviRemoteConn). The remote console (based in Shanghai), takes the endoscopist's input and translates it into a control signal. After network transmission, the patient side cart (based in Yinchuan) translates the control signal into actual instrument manipulation. The images captured by the capsule are simultaneously sent back to the screen of the remote console, and thus provide guidance for better control of the capsule.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic utility, safety, feasibility and patient's acceptability of remote magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy system under 5G network.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Gender is not limited.
2. Patients aged 18 years or older.
3. Both inpatients and outpatients.
4. Volunteers with or without abdominal complaints.
5. Able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. dysphagia or symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction, suspected or known intestinal stenosis,overt gastrointestinal bleeding,fistulas and strictures;
2. history of upper gastrointestinal surgery or suspected delayed gastric emptying;
3. Patients with poor general condition,asthma or claus trophobia;
4. Implanted metallic devices such as pacemakers,defibrillators, artificial heart valves or joint prostheses;
5. Pregnancy or mentally ill person;
6. currently participating in another clinical study;
7. communication obstacles persons.