Double Balloon Endoscopy
Advanced System for Non-Surgical Intervention of the Small Intestine

Jacksonville, Fla., April 7, 2005 - Patients in Northeast Florida now have access to the most advanced technology for minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of the small intestine. Physicians at Baptist Medical Center Downtown can endoscopically evaluate and treat disorders of the small intestine, which were previously inaccessible without invasive surgery thanks to new Fujinon Double Balloon Endoscopy.

"This new technology is a significant advancement for our patients," says Gastroenterologist Jack R. Groover, MD. "We will be able to diagnose and treat the small bowel with a minimally invasive approach, significantly reducing the number of invasive surgeries required for patients."

The small intestine is the most difficult organ of the digestive tract to diagnose and treat via endoscopy due to its extraordinary length and limited accessibility. Recently introduced capsule endoscopy allows for the examination of the small bowel, but it is unable to confirm observations, sample by biopsy or allow for any intervention or treatment during the examination.

The Double Balloon Endoscopy technology effectively stretches or "pleats" the small intestine between two balloons, allowing the physician to examine and treat the entire length.

"Capsule endoscopy allowed physicians to diagnose unexplained bleeding, Crohn's disease and other diseases of the small intestine," adds Groover. "However, until the development of the Double Balloon Endoscopy system, patients still had to undergo lengthy and complicated surgeries to treat theses diseases. This system changes all that."

The Double Balloon Endoscopy system is the latest minimally invasive procedure to be performed at Baptist hospitals, joining radio frequency ablation for liver tumors, laproscopic knee replacement and the Stretta procedure for acid reflux disease.

Minimal Invasive Procedures present an alternative to open surgical procedures. Advancement in technology now allows procedures to be performed through a natural opening or a small "keyhole" incision. Often called "band-aid surgery", minimally invasive procedures promote less pain, shorter hospital stay, and cosmetic benefits for the patient.