Novel flexible endoscope concept with swiveling camera tip

Axel Boese,Christoph Arens,Michael Friebe

doi:10.1515/cdbme-2020-3073

Axel Boese, Christoph Arens + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1515/cdbme-2020-3073

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Abstract

Abstract Endoscopy is an important modality in medical imaging. Thin flexible endoscopes are for example used to examine the upper airways, for gastroscopy procedures or lung inspection. With standard flexible endoscopes one can change the direction of view by bending the tip with the disadvantage of large space required due to the bending radius. With first experiences of a concept of a moveable camera head on the tip of rigid endoscopes, we now propose a novel design employing a swiveling camera for flexible endoscopes. This concept is based on the use of a shape memory wire used to control the movement of the camera, a flexible plastic flap joint for tight rotation and flexible printed circuits for the electronic connection. The prototype was realized in a first low cost setup using a 5,5 mm HD chip on the tip camera with LED light. The motion and imaging performance of the prototype allowed swiveling of the camera on the endoscope tip from straight view to 100° side view. The space needed in fully rotation was limited to 9mm with an overall diameter of the endoscope in straight view of only 5,6mm, but could even be further reduced in a more professional setup. The image quality is good, but close-up views appear blurry due to the fixed focus point of the low-cost camera. The presented steering concept of the camera is promising, as it could potentially improve imaging of narrow cavities using flexible endoscopes. Especially for “in office” examinations this principle could add value to diagnosis and patient comfort.

Highlights

Endoscopy is one of the most important imaging modalities to visualize internal structures inside the human body
To improve the options for endoscopic diagnostics and to transfer the principle of a swiveling camera on the endoscope tip into flexible applications, a new design was developed. We present this first prototype mechanism based on a shape memory wire, a flexible plastic flap joint for steering and flexible printed circuits for electronic connection
Shape and usability concept were adapted from state-of-theart endoscopes on the market

Summary

Introduction

Endoscopy is one of the most important imaging modalities to visualize internal structures inside the human body It is used for diagnosis as well as for observation of treatment procedures in various clinical applications. Flexible endoscopes can be made out of glass fibres as visual channel, especially for thin diameters These endoscopes can be combined with a camera on the proximal end. Flexible endoscopes are mostly equipped with a steering mechanism to bend the distal end like a finger This allows directing the endoscope to facilitate placement and to change the direction of view during inspection. Space is needed for the bending itself and the distance to the region of interest can be reduced, hindering the camera to focus This leads to limited performance in narrow cavities or tubular structures (see Figure 1)

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