SmartPill
Intestinal Motility Test
The Only Motility Test that Provides a Complete Transit Profile of the GI Tract
At Gastroenterology Associates of Colorado Springs (GACS) a SmartPill procedure includes a wireless, ingestible capsule that measures pressure, pH, and temperature from your GI tract and wirelessly transmits that data to a receiver worn on a belt or lanyard. This data is then downloaded to a computer, allowing your physician to analyze the information. The SmartPill provides physicians with data for gastric emptying time, combined small/large bowel transit time and whole gut transit time.
What does the SmartPill Measure?
- The SmartPill motility monitoring system measures the whole gut and regional gut (stomach, small bowel, and colon) transit times. Measurements of gastrointestinal tract transit times are used for evaluating motility disorders
- Gastric transit time (or gastric emptying time, GET) is indicated for the evaluation of patients with suspected gastroparesis. Delayed gastric emptying is suggested in such disorders as idiopathic and diabetic gastroparesis and functional non-ulcer dyspepsia
- Colonic transit time (CTT) is indicated for the evaluation of colonic transit in patients with chronic constipation and used to aid in differentiating slow and normal transit constipation. Combined small and large bowel transit time (SLBTT) is used as a surrogate measure of colonic transit in patients with chronic constipation when colonic transit time alone cannot be determined
- The system measures pH, pressure, and temperature throughout the entire GI tract. Pressure contraction data from the antrum and duodenum can be used to calculate motility indices
- Not for use in pediatric patients (children under the age of 18 years)
Smart Pill Procedure
Once the capsule is swallowed, test data are transmitted to a recorder to provide your physician with the necessary information to thoroughly evaluate your entire GI tract.
If you experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, bloating, constipation or vomiting, you may have a motility disorder such as gastroparesis or chronic constipation. If you suffer from these or other unexplained GI symptoms, your physician may determine the SmartPill® capsule is right for you.
Day 1
While at your physician’s office, you will eat a SmartBar® standardized meal and then swallow a SmartPill capsule. You will be instructed to wear a recorder that receives the data from the capsule. You will fast for six hours and then resume your normal daily activities.
Glossary
Motility Disorders: Conditions that affect the movement of the GI tract and the contents within it.
Transit Time: The amount of time it takes to move food through a specific portion of the GI tract.
Gastroparesis: A disorder in which the contents of the stomach empty too slowly. Also called delayed gastric (stomach) emptying.
Chronic Constipation: A disorder characterized by a repeating set of complex symptoms including slow, difficult or painful bowel movements.
Day 1-5
The recorder is worn at all times throughout the procedure except during bathing and sleeping. While sleeping, the recorder should be placed under your pillow or on a nightstand next to the bed. The SmartPill capsule is typically passed within a few days.
Day 3-5
Return the recorder to the physician’s office where the test data will be downloaded.
Interpretation & Consultation
This brochure is intended to supplement the directions and explanations from your doctor regarding ingesting a SmartPill capsule. It does not replace your doctor’s care, advice and specific instructions regarding preparing for your procedure.
The physician will analyze and interpret the test data and will review the results with you.
How long does the procedure take?
Approximately 30 minutes at the physician’s office to start the procedure. Once you eat the SmartBar standardized meal, swallow the SmartPill capsule and receive your recorder, you can leave the physician’s office to go about your normal daily activities. The test lasts 3 to 5 days.
How big is the capsule?
It is approximately the size of a vitamin pill and designed to be easy to swallow.
What are the benefits of this test?
SmartPill is more comfortable and convenient than other existing motility diagnostic tests. Also, there is no radiation exposure. Because you are able to follow a normal routine, there is minimal down-time. The test provides your physician with a complete transit profile of your GI tract with only one test.
Will I feel any pain or discomfort from the capsule?
No. You should not feel any pain or discomfort when swallowing it or while it moves through your GI tract. It is naturally passed during a bowel movement, usually within a few days.
Reason for a SmartPill Procedure
- A history of gastric bezoars
- Swallowing disorders
- Suspected or known strictures, fistulas or physiological/mechanical GI obstruction
- History of gastrointestinal surgery within the past three months
- Severe dysphagia to food or pills
- Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis
- Cardiac pacemakers or other implanted electromedical devices
How to prepare for a Capsule Endoscopy.
- Do not eat or drink for 8 hours before your test.
- Several medications can interfere with the test. These medications should be stopped before the test.
Stop 1 week prior to test
Proton pump inhibitors. These are Dexilant (dexlansoprazole), Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), Aciphex (rabeprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole).
Stop 72 hours prior to test
Histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RA). These are Tagamet (cimetidine), Zantac (ranitidine), Pepcid (famotidine), Axid (nizatidine).
Anti-nausea medications like ondansetron (zofran), promethazine (phenergan), prochlorperazine (compazine).
Anti-diarrhea medications, laxatives and pro motility drugs. These are loperamide (Imodium), diphenoxylate and atropine (Lomotil), senna, milk of magnesia, bisacodyl (Dulcolax), polyethylene glycol (Miralax), lubiprostone (Amitiza), linaclotide (Linzess), plecanatide (Trulance), erythromycin, azithromycin (Zithromax), metoclopramide (Reglan), domperidone (Motilium).
Opiate pain medications like oxycodone (Oxycontin), Percocet, hydrocodone, Vicodin, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), morphine (MS Contin), fentanyl.
Stop 24 hours prior to the test
Do not eat or drink 8 hours before the test. If you have diabetes mellitus and take insulin, your insulin dose will be adjusted. Do not take short-acting insulin while you’re fasting.
- You will stay in a private recovery room for one to two hours for observation. You may feel a temporary soreness in your throat. Lozenges may help.
- A responsible adult must accompany you and should stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure.
- Do not drive or operate machinery for at least eight hours.
- Stay overnight within a 30-minute drive of the hospital so that you can get to the emergency room quickly, if necessary.
The results of the procedure will be sent to your primary care or referring doctor, who will discuss them with you. If the results of the procedure show that you need immediate medical attention, the necessary arrangements will be made and your referring doctor will be notified.
*Source: Cleveland Clinic “ERCP: Results and Follow-Up
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