'Spider pill' bowel scanner will be ready within a year

Endoscopy, or the examination of a person's bowels via a tube-mounted camera, is not exactly the most pleasant medical procedure one could undergo. In 2004, we noted the early stages of a project to alleviate the (literal) pain of the procedure with a spider pill, which -- once swallowed by the hopefully willing patient -- can be remotely controlled and positioned inside the human body. Yes, it's a tiny, wirelessly communicating robot with a camera for a head crawling inside you. Hit the read link for the full BBC report, it really is worth seeing, and start your Innerspace jokes ... now!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 12th 2009 5:29PM]

cancer of the small intestines and colon as well as a whole bunch of other intestinal disorders hits old folks. saw a program similar to this device of an experimental illuminated bullet pill minus the legs. it got through most of the insides but ran out of battery life i believe before the colon area on it's journey to the porcelain throne. this technology is okay by me. it's a bitch getting older if you don't maintain your health.......

[Zoide Posted Oct 15th 2009 11:31PM]

Hasn't this been around in one way or another since 2001? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsule_endoscopy)