Crosby-Kugler capsule



The Crosby-Kugler capsule, also called the Crosby capsule, is a device used for obtaining biopsies of small bowel mucosa needed for the diagnosis of various small bowel pathology. Originally invented by William H Crosby, MD for the evaluation of sprue.

The capsule, which is attached to a long, thin tube, is swallowed. The other end of the tube remains outside the patients mouth. When the capsule has reached the desired section of bowel, suction is applied to the tube. This suction triggers a mechanism in the capsule which causes a spring-loaded knife to sweep across an aperture in the capsule (see figure), cutting away any mucosa which happens to be protruding into the aperture. The capsule is then pulled up by the tube and the biopsied tissue retrieved from within the capsule chamber.

From about 1980 it has been possible to get adequate biopsies from adults during an upper endoscopy, and the Crosby capsule has there after been used mainly in children.