Researches on spatio-temporal expressions of intestinal pressure activity acquired by the capsule robot

Abstract

Aim: To give researches on the spatio-temporal expressions of the intestinal pressure activity. Methods: The intestinal pressure activity was acquired by using a capsule robot invented for functional diagnosis of human gastrointestinal diseases, which collected intestinal physiological parameters as it propelled itself within the gastrointestinal tract. Results: a series of different contraction types were systematically analyzed to form the corresponding spatio-temporal expressions of the intestinal pressure activity including (1) standing contractions, (2) propagating segmental contractions, and (3) pendular contractions. Conclusions: Spatio-temporal expressions could provide a method for visualizing a temporally evolving and spatially varying intestinal pressure activity. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.