Topic: Advances in Smart Capsule Endoscopy

This Special Issue focuses on the latest advancements in smart capsule endoscopy (CE). Since its introduction to clinical medicine in the early 2000s, CE has evolved into a first-line diagnostic modality for small bowel evaluation, offering advantages such as non-invasiveness, excellent patient tolerance, and sedation-free operation. Over the past two decades, technological innovations have significantly expanded CE’s diagnostic scope beyond the small intestine. Developments such as esophageal CE, magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (MCCE) for gastric examination, and colon-specific CE systems now enable comprehensive visualization of the entire gastrointestinal tract. Recent breakthroughs in engineering and material science have further propelled the development of multifunctional capsules - such as those capable of biopsy, drug delivery, and vibratory stimulation - enabling targeted therapies and enhanced diagnostic precision. Concurrently, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal force in CE, optimizing image analysis, lesion detection, and data interpretation through deep learning algorithms, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency.

This issue features original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore:

(1) Engineering advancements in CE hardware and software;

(2) Expanded clinical applications across diverse GI pathologies;

(3) Integrated diagnostic-therapeutic innovations; 

(4) AI-driven enhancements in image interpretation and clinical decision making.

By bridging technological innovation with clinical practice, this collection highlights the transformative potential of smart capsule endoscopy in reshaping modern gastroenterology.