UAMS Among First in U.S. to Use Camera-in-a-Pill

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) today became one of the first hospitals in the United States to use a camera-in-a-pill to help diagnose acid reflux-related conditions of the esophagus.

For millions of people with chronic heartburn, the pill camera will replace the invasive, painful and more time-consuming endoscopy.

"It will definitely change the management of many patients in a positive way," said Amar Al-Juburi, M.D., a gastroenterologist and assistant professor in the College of Medicine at UAMS. "For many people, this new technology has a significant advantage over the endoscopy."

A traditional endoscopy is also more intensive because it requires sedation, Al-Juburi said. Patients typically have to miss a day of work and will feel throat pain for about two days.

The pill is especially good news for the more than 19 million people nationally who suffer from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. According to health experts, most GERD sufferers do not monitor their condition despite the fact that 5 percent to 15 percent of GERD patients may have Barrett’s Esophagus, a condition that increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer, the fastest growing type of cancer in America. About 700,000, people have Barrett’s Esophagus.

Called the Pill Cam ESO, the device was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration in November and is the first such pill for evaluating and diagnosing conditions affecting the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. It was developed by Given Imaging of Yokneam, Israel.

About the size of a large vitamin, the clear pill has cameras surrounded by flashing lights on each end. Once out of its package, the camera operates for about 20 minutes. Patients swallow it with water while lying down. The lubricated pill glides down the esophageal tract taking about 2,600 color pictures that are transmitted to a recording device worn by the patient. After 20 minutes, the doctor has enough images to make a diagnosis.

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An artist’s rendering of the new residence hall. The new residence hall being built near West Markham Street is expected to be completed by fall 2006.

Construction Starts on New UAMS Residence Hall

Work has started at the site of the new $14 million residence hall at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

The more than 92,000-square-foot facility, to be built on Markham Street just north of the Arkansas State Hospital, will feature two wings of rooms and a central administration building. It is expected to be complete by fall 2006 and replace the existing student dormitory adjacent to the Harry P. Ward Tower of the UAMS Medical Center. The more than 45-year old dormitory building will be demolished in late 2005 or early 2006 to make room for a major hospital expansion.

“Our new residence hall will provide more up-to-date and improved accommodations to meet the changing needs of students and medical residents,” said UAMS Chancellor I. Dodd Wilson, M.D. “It is another element in our expansion program that will transform the UAMS campus and increase our ability to meet the future needs of our educational, patient care and research missions.”

The new residence hall, offering housing for UAMS students and medical residents, will include more than 177 rooms, with a mix of traditional dormitory-style rooms with semi-private bath, one-bedroom apartments and efficiency apartments. The rooms will feature computer network access and individual heating/cooling units, while the apartments will also include washers and dryers.

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