Given Imaging
Given Imaging was an Israeli medical-technology company that pioneered capsule endoscopy and developed diagnostic systems for gastrointestinal disorders.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Given Imaging was an Israeli medical-technology company focused on noninvasive visualization and physiological assessment of the gastrointestinal tract. Established in 1998, the company commercialized the idea that a miniature camera and related electronics could be packaged inside a swallowable capsule, allowing clinicians to inspect parts of the digestive system that were difficult or impossible to reach with conventional endoscopic procedures. Its best-known product family, PillCam, made capsule endoscopy a recognizable clinical modality, particularly for examining the small intestine. The company's origins combined Israeli defense engineering with medical entrepreneurship. Gavriel Meron and Rafael Development Corporation, the commercialization arm associated with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, founded the business after acquiring an early patent from Rafael. The underlying concept was developed by Dr. Gavriel Iddan, who had worked in Rafael's missile division and recognized that miniaturized imaging, communications, and power technologies might be adapted for medical use. Elron Electronic Industries provided early financing in cooperation with Rafael and became an important early shareholder. Given Imaging's first major product was the M2A capsule. It received European CE marking in May 2001 and U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance in August 2001 for visualization of abnormalities in the small intestine. The product was renamed PillCam SB in 2004, helping establish a consistent brand architecture for the company's capsule-based systems. Unlike conventional endoscopy, capsule endoscopy generally did not require sedation and allowed images to be collected as the capsule moved naturally through the digestive tract, although preparation requirements and clinical limitations remained relevant. The company expanded beyond small-bowel imaging. PillCam ESO was developed for esophageal visualization, while PillCam COLON and later PillCam COLON 2 addressed colon imaging in selected situations, including incomplete or unsuitable conventional colonoscopy. Given Imaging also developed the Agile Patency System, intended to help assess whether a capsule could pass safely through the gastrointestinal tract. Later offerings included PillCam CROHN'S for visualization of intestinal and colonic mucosa and PillCam Express, a manually guided deployment approach for cases in which a swallowable capsule could not naturally progress through a patient's anatomy. Given Imaging also broadened its portfolio through acquisitions and subsidiaries. In 2008 it acquired the Bravo pH Monitoring System, a catheter-free ambulatory reflux-monitoring technology capable of recording for up to 96 hours. In 2010 it acquired Sierra Scientific Instruments, adding high-resolution manometry and ambulatory reflux-monitoring capabilities to its gastrointestinal diagnostics portfolio. This expansion positioned the company as more than a capsule-camera manufacturer, with products covering structural visualization as well as esophageal and gastrointestinal physiology. The company became publicly traded on NASDAQ in October 2001 under the symbol GIVN and joined the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2004. It was included in Israeli technology-related market indexes before its acquisition. Given Imaging reported facilities and offices in Israel, the United States, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Ireland, with Sierra Scientific Instruments based in Los Angeles and manufacturing operations in Vietnam. Its technology was marketed in more than 60 countries. Covidien agreed to acquire all of Given Imaging in 2014. The transaction ended Given Imaging's independent public-company status, and its shares ceased trading on NASDAQ and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. In 2015, Medtronic acquired Covidien, bringing Given Imaging's technology and product portfolio into the Medtronic group. Given Imaging therefore no longer operates as an independent listed co…
History
Given Imaging emerged from an Israeli technology-transfer effort that connected Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' miniaturization expertise with medical-device development. The core concept was associated with Dr. Gavriel Iddan, who had worked on missile systems and conceived a way to adapt miniature imaging and communications technology to gastrointestinal diagnosis. Gavriel Meron and Rafael Development Corporation Ltd. established Given Imaging in 1998 after the company obtained an early Rafael patent. Elron Electronic Industries supplied early funding in cooperation with Rafael and became a significant early investor. The company's first commercial platform was the M2A capsule, a swallowable imaging device designed to travel through the digestive tract and transmit photographs to an external recording system. The product obtained CE marking in May 2001 and U.S. FDA clearance in August of that year for visualization of small-intestinal abnormalities. Given Imaging went public on NASDAQ in October 2001 with the ticker GIVN. In 2004, the M2A product was renamed PillCam SB, creating the central brand used across the company's capsule-endoscopy portfolio. The company also joined the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in March 2004 and became associated with Israeli technology-market indexes. Given Imaging subsequently broadened its clinical applications. U.S. clearance for PillCam ESO in 2004 extended the capsule approach to the esophagus. The Agile Patency System received U.S. clearance in 2006, addressing the risk-management question of whether a capsule could pass through a patient's gastrointestinal tract. PillCam COLON received European CE marking in 2006, and PillCam COLON 2 followed in 2009. These products were positioned as complementary or alternative tools in selected clinical circumstances, rather than as universal replacements for conventional endoscopy. The company also pursued technologies beyond camera capsules. In 2008 it acquired the Bravo pH Monitoring System, a catheter-free platform for ambulatory measurement of esophageal acid exposure and reflux. In 2010 it acquired Sierra Scientific Instruments, whose portfolio included high-resolution manometry and ambulatory reflux-monitoring systems. Given Imaging released PillCam Express in 2010, a manually guided deployment system intended for patients whose anatomy made ordinary capsule passage difficult. The company later promoted PillCam CROHN'S for direct visualization of small-bowel and colonic mucosa in the evaluation of Crohn's disease. Commercial adoption was reflected in the reported sale of the millionth PillCam capsule in 2009. The technology also received public exposure through a 2012 BBC demonstration in which reporter Michael Mosley swallowed a PillCam and transmitted images during a live presentation at the Science Museum in London. Given Imaging maintained its corporate, research, development, and manufacturing base in Yokneam, Israel, alongside offices in the United States and Europe and sales and marketing operations in several Asia-Pacific markets. The company stated that its technology was marketed in more than 60 countries. In 2014, Covidien purchased all of Given Imaging's shares. The transaction removed Given Imaging from NASDAQ and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and ended its existence as an independent listed company. Covidien itself was acquired by Medtronic in 2015. As a result, Given Imaging's capsule-endoscopy, reflux-monitoring, and gastrointestinal-diagnostics activities became part of Medtronic's broader medical-device organization.
- 2015
Given Imaging enters the Medtronic group
[1]Medtronic acquires Covidien, the parent company that had acquired Given Imaging.
- 2014
Covidien takes Given Imaging private
[1]Covidien purchases all outstanding shares, ending Given Imaging's public-market listings.
- 2010
Sierra Scientific Instruments acquisition
[1]Given Imaging acquires Sierra Scientific Instruments and adds manometry and reflux-diagnostic technologies.
- 2009
One-millionth PillCam capsule sold
[1]The company reports reaching one million PillCam capsule sales.
- 2009
PillCam COLON 2 receives CE marking
[1]The second-generation colon capsule receives European regulatory marking.
- 2008
Bravo pH Monitoring System acquisition
[1]Given Imaging acquires Bravo, adding catheter-free ambulatory reflux monitoring.
- 2006
Agile Patency System receives U.S. clearance
[1]Given Imaging receives clearance for a system intended to assess gastrointestinal passage before capsule procedures.
- 2006
PillCam COLON receives European CE marking
[1]The company expands capsule imaging into the colon market in Europe.
- 2004
M2A is renamed PillCam SB
[1]The company's original capsule product receives the PillCam SB brand.
- 2004
PillCam ESO receives U.S. FDA clearance
[1]The PillCam portfolio expands to visualization of the esophagus.
Products and positioning
A medical-technology pioneer positioned around minimally invasive gastrointestinal visualization and physiological diagnosis, combining swallowable capsule imaging with reflux monitoring and manometry.
Small-bowel capsule endoscopy · 2004
PillCam SB
PillCam SB was the renamed version of the original M2A capsule and was designed to visualize the small intestine and identify abnormalities without conventional sedated endoscopy. Patients swallowed the capsule after bowel preparation, while an external recorder collected the transmitted images as the capsule moved naturally through the gastrointestinal tract.
Esophageal capsule endoscopy · 2004
PillCam ESO
PillCam ESO was developed to provide capsule-based visualization of the esophagus. Its purpose was to offer a minimally invasive imaging option for selected esophageal investigations, extending Given Imaging's capsule technology beyond the small bowel.
Colon capsule endoscopy · 2009
PillCam COLON 2
PillCam COLON 2 was a second-generation colon capsule system intended to visualize the colon in selected patients. It was positioned as complementary to conventional colonoscopy, including situations involving incomplete colonoscopy, contraindications, or reluctance to undergo the traditional procedure.
Inflammatory bowel disease imaging
PillCam CROHN'S
PillCam CROHN'S was intended to provide direct visualization of the small-bowel and colonic mucosa through a noninvasive capsule procedure. The system was associated with evaluation of Crohn's disease and other gastrointestinal findings requiring broad mucosal inspection.
Guided capsule deployment · 2010
PillCam Express
PillCam Express was introduced as a manually guided gastrointestinal imaging system. It used a swallowable-device format with endoscopic assistance and a proprietary balloon deployment mechanism to help deliver the capsule into the small intestine when ordinary swallowing or natural passage was not suitable.
Capsule patency assessment · 2006
Agile Patency System
The Agile Patency System was designed to help clinicians evaluate whether a capsule could pass through the gastrointestinal tract before undertaking capsule endoscopy. It addressed a key procedural consideration: the possibility that an obstructed or narrowed passage could prevent a diagnostic capsule from exiting normally.
Ambulatory reflux monitoring
Bravo pH Monitoring System
Bravo was a catheter-free ambulatory pH-monitoring system acquired by Given Imaging in 2008. It was designed to measure esophageal acid exposure over an extended period, with data collection of up to 96 hours described in the reference material, helping clinicians assess gastroesophageal reflux under relatively normal daily conditions.
Gastrointestinal physiology diagnostics · 2010
Sierra Scientific Instruments systems
Through its Sierra Scientific Instruments subsidiary, Given Imaging supplied gastrointestinal diagnostic modalities including high-resolution manometry and ambulatory reflux monitoring. The acquisition broadened the company from image-based capsule diagnosis into measurement of gastrointestinal motility and esophageal function.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012BBC live PillCam demonstration
United Kingdom
Given Imaging's capsule-endoscopy technology was featured in a live BBC broadcast in which reporter Michael Mosley swallowed a PillCam while images were transmitted during a public presentation at London's Science Museum.
Outcome. The demonstration increased public visibility for capsule endoscopy, although no broader commercial outcome is specified in the reference material.
Brand decisions
2014
Accept Covidien acquisitionM&ABackground
Given Imaging was a publicly traded Israeli medical-device company with an established international capsule-endoscopy business.
Action taken
Covidien purchased all of Given Imaging's shares, taking the company private and ending its NASDAQ and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange listings.
Aftermath
Given Imaging ceased to operate as an independent listed company and subsequently became part of Medtronic following Medtronic's 2015 acquisition of Covidien.
2010
Acquire Sierra Scientific InstrumentsM&ABackground
The company was broadening its diagnostic scope from gastrointestinal imaging to motility and reflux assessment.
Action taken
Given Imaging acquired Sierra Scientific Instruments, including its high-resolution manometry and reflux-monitoring capabilities.
Aftermath
Given Imaging gained a wider set of gastrointestinal diagnostic modalities and an operating subsidiary based in Los Angeles.
2008
Acquire the Bravo pH Monitoring SystemM&ABackground
Given Imaging sought to expand beyond capsule-based visualization into gastrointestinal physiological measurement.
Action taken
The company acquired the Bravo catheter-free ambulatory pH-monitoring business.
Aftermath
The acquisition added reflux and acid-exposure monitoring to Given Imaging's gastrointestinal diagnostics portfolio.
2004
Rename M2A as PillCam SBStrategyBackground
Given Imaging had established its first capsule product as M2A and was expanding the technology into additional gastrointestinal applications.
Action taken
The company changed the product name to PillCam SB, creating a broader and more consistent PillCam family identity.
Aftermath
PillCam became the principal product architecture associated with Given Imaging's capsule-endoscopy business.
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