Title :
Scopes Too Flexible...and Too Stiff
Author :
Loeve, Arjo ; Breedveld, Paul ; Dankelman, Jenny
Abstract :
The article investigates how the difficulties caused by the flexibility of the endoscope shaft could be solved and to provide a categorized overview of designs that potentially provide a solution. The following are discussed: paradoxical problem of flexible endoscopy; NOTES or hybrid endoscopy surgery; design challenges; shaft-guidance: guiding principles; virtual track guidance; physical track guidance; shaft-guidance: rigidity control; material stiffening; structural stiffening; and hybrid stiffening.
Keywords :
endoscopes; surgery; NOTES; endoscope shaft; flexible endoscopy; hybrid endoscopy surgery; hybrid stiffening; material stiffening; physical track guidance; rigidity control; shaft-guidance; structural stiffening; virtual track guidance; Biomedical equipment; Biopsy; Clinical diagnosis; Endoscopes; Medical tests; Surgery; Endoscopes; Equipment Design; Humans; Materials Testing; Pliability;
Journal_Title :
Pulse, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MPUL.2010.939176
