A simple and inexpensive method for manipulation of capsule endoscopes has been developed and successfully tested in survival studies in pigs. This has involved modifications of capsules which are in clinical use in patients as follows. One of the two imagers in esophageal capsules have been removed and replaced with three small magnets which are fixed within the capsule casing. This does not alter the dimensions of the capsule which can be reconstituted in a conventional casing. The magnetic reed switch which turns the capsule on and off is removed and is replaced with a thermal switch which will turn the capsule on if placed in hot water above 60 degrees centigrade for 60 seconds. The capsule can be manipulated using an external hand held paddle shaped magnet measuring approximately 20 x 20 x 5 centimeters which is held and rotated close to the back of the subject when the modified capsule is in the esophagus or the anterior abdominal wall when the capsule is in the stomach. The magnets used are of neodymium iron boron (quaternary ion magnets). The capsules are modified from FDA approved devices by Given Imaging (the company that makes these capsules). The outside of the capsule is unchanged but internal modifications, the changing of the switch and the inclusion of the magnet, are not FDA approved and are experimental.