A Mobile Device Controlled Colonoscope

Abstract

The background: Colorectal cancer is a prevalent and deadly disease that is further emerging within our society. As knowledge about this disease becomes more widespread, increasing demand for screening and high standards arises. This creates a need for a device which can be more easily mastered by physicians to achieve competency, as well as reduce injury risks from performing repetitive motions during a heavy load of colonoscopy procedures. Method: This research focuses on the fabrication of a prototype colonoscope that incorporates a holding structure to support the colonoscope and a hand-held device that actuates distal tip steering. Experimentation was performed to compare a learning curve of the prototype scope to a conventional scope. Results: Results show that subjects using the prototype scope did not experience any significant reduction in force in either the thumb or forearm. Cecal intubation time and learning rate showed no significant decrease while using the prototype scope compared to a conventional scope. Concluison: The prototype of the automated scope did not reduce learning rate or offset intubation time, it also did not increase the learning rate or, for the most part, increase intubation time compared to a conventional scope.