InsightEyes, the First Capsule Endoscope Developed in Taiwan, is Slated for Market at the End of This Year

Insight Medical Solutions Inc. is a medical equipment startup focuses on investigating and developing a capsule endoscopy system. With unmet medical needs as the starting point, their first product is the InsightEyes, aimed at providing a complete solution for upper GI (EGD) diagnostic endoscopy. Over 37 patent applications for technology related to the product have been submitted in the U.S., China, Taiwan, and various countries in the EU, 30 of which have been granted.

According to Insight Medical Solutions, the product has received positive feedback after being tested by clinical staff. The product has been sent for registration review and is expected to hit the market by the end of this year or Q1 next year. At the Taiwan Healthcare+ Expo this year, Insight Medical Solutions will promote this revolutionary new assistive medical device to medical institutions and gastroenterologists. The product can reduce the workload of anesthesiologists, help doctors perform accurate diagnosis through endoscopy, and provide patients with a high quality diagnostic solution.

Traditional endoscopy involves going directly into the digestive tracts for diagnosis. The procedure often causes discomfort and induces fear in the patients. The introduction of the noninvasive capsule endoscopy has provided a solution for these issues. While existing endoscopes on the market are limited to the examination of the small intestines, Insight Medical Solutions' InsightEyes sets itself apart with the capability of being used in organs with a larger cavity and surface area, such as the stomach.

The product is a single-use capsule system, which eliminates the maintenance cost and the risk of cross infections. During the procedure, the patient does not need to be anesthetized and are therefore shielded from related risks. The patient only needs to swallow the capsule with an attached 1 mm wide wire into the cavity and be examined in a painless, comfortable state.

The endoscope itself is equipped with a magnetic plate component. A magnetic control system manipulates the movement and rotation of the endoscope to guide the endoscope sleeve to the appropriate position in the cavity to observe the site of interest and take quick and accurate pictures of the location. After the examination, the magnetic force can be shut off and the endoscope retrieved by pulling on the wire in a convenient and safe manner. Insight Medical Solutions says that with proprietary core technology and platform, the company will continue to develop other innovative medical devices.

(Editing by Jim Shih, Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy)

• For more information see the Taiwan Healthcare+ and 2018 Taiwan Healthcare+ Expo

Fig 1. InsightEyes EGD Video System

Fig 2. InsightEyes EGD Disposable Devices