Functional Evaluation of the Endotics System, a New Disposable Self-Propelled Robotic Colonoscope: in vitro tests and clinical trial
Open Access
- 1 August 2009
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by SAGE Publications in The International Journal of Artificial Organs
- Vol. 32 (8), 517-527
- https://doi.org/10.1177/039139880903200806
Abstract
Currently, the best method for CRC screening is colonoscopy, which ideally (where possible) is performed under partial or deep sedation. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Endotics System, a new robotic device composed of a workstation and a disposable probe, in performing accurate and well-tolerated colonoscopies. This new system could also be considered a precursor of other innovating vectors for atraumatic locomotion through natural orifices such as the bowel. The flexible probe adapts its shape to the complex contours of the colon, thereby exerting low strenuous forces during its movement. These novel characteristics allow for a painless and safe colonoscopy, thus eliminating all major associated risks such as infection, cardiopulmonary complications and colon perforation. An experimental study was devised to investigate stress pattern differences between traditional and robotic colonoscopy, in which 40 enrolled patients underwent both robotic and standard colonoscopy within the same day. The stress pattern related to robotic colonoscopy was 90% lower than that of standard colonoscopy. Additionally, the robotic colonoscopy demonstrated a higher diagnostic accuracy, since, due to the lower insufflation rate, it was able to visualize small polyps and angiodysplasias not seen during the standard colonoscopy. All patients rated the robotic colonoscopy as virtually painless com-pared to the standard colonoscopy, ranking pain and discomfort as 0.9 and 1.1 respectively, on a scale of 0 to 10, versus 6.9 and 6.8 respectively for the standard device. The new Endotics System demonstrates efficacy in the diagnosis of colonic pathologies using a procedure nearly completely devoid of pain. Therefore, this system can also be looked upon as the first step toward developing and implementing colonoscopy with atraumatic locomotion through the bowel while maintaining a high level of diagnostic accuracy.Keywords
This publication has 37 references indexed in Scilit:
- Colonoscopy practice in Italy: A prospective survey on behalf of the Italian Association of Hospital GastroenterologistsDigestive and Liver Disease, 2008
- A national study of cardiopulmonary unplanned events after GI endoscopyGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2007
- Use, appropriateness, and diagnostic yield of screening colonoscopy: an international observational study (EPAGE)Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2006
- Sedation-Free ColonoscopyDiseases of the Colon & Rectum, 2005
- How many endoscopies are performed for colorectal cancer screening? Results from CDC’s survey of endoscopic capacityGastroenterology, 2004
- Infectious disease complications of Gl endoscopy: Part I, endogenous infectionsGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2003
- The role of sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy in the diagnosis and management of lower gastrointestinal disorders: technique, indications, and contraindicationsMedical Clinics of North America, 2002
- Reprocessing of flexible gastrointestinal endoscopesGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 1996
- Transmission Of Infection By Gastrointestinal EndoscopyGastrointestinal Endoscopy, 1993
- Transmission of Infection by Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and BronchoscopyAnnals of Internal Medicine, 1993