The Agile patency capsule consists of dissolvable components, surrounding a tiny Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag that can be detected by X-ray or the Agile patency scanner. The capsule starts to dissolve about 30 hours after ingestion.

What happens if patency capsule gets stuck?

If the capsule stays in your body (is retained) for more than 30 hours, it will then dissolve into small pieces that can pass naturally through your intestine. However, if you have a narrowing of your small bowel, the capsule can get stuck at that point and lead to bowel obstruction.

How does a patency capsule work?

If the capsule leaves your small intestine before it dissolves, this confirms that your intestine is passable for an object the size of the capsule. If the capsule is still inside your small intestine after 24-30 hours, it will dissolve into smaller pieces and pass through your colon.