Cytosponge is alternative to endoscopy

摘要

A new device for detecting Barrett's oesophagus — a type of cancer — promises to be around 10 times cheaper and considerably less invasive than standard endoscopy. It comprises a 'cytosponge' compressed inside a gelatin pill capsule on a string, which is swallowed and dissolved before the expanded sponge is pulled back up to retrieve a cell sample.