An automation concept to enhance colonoscope maneuverability
Journal
Sensors and Materials
Journal Volume
27
Journal Issue
8
Pages
611-616
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Abstract
Colonoscopy is the current gold standard for the visual diagnosis and treatment of colon-related health problems. However, the size of the colonoscope, combined with the nonautomatic nature of the device, can cause discomfort to patients during examination. To reduce the burden for patients and allow physicians to work more efficiently, an automated colonoscope concept is proposed. Fiber optic sensors mounted at the tip of the colonoscope measure the distance from the intestinal wall in two directions. The signals from these sensors are then fed into a control module to drive a motor-dial assembly that controls the movement of the tip of the colonoscope. Two DC motors connected to two rollers spinning in opposite directions automatically advance the colonoscope inside the colon. Results show that our automated colonoscope prototype is able to repeatedly advance inside a 100-cm-long in vitro simulation model in less than a minute without contacting the model wall. ? 2015 MYU K.K.
Subjects
Colon cancer; Colonoscope; Fiber optic sensor; Medical device automation; Servomotor
SDGs
Other Subjects
Automation; Biomedical equipment; DC motors; Diagnosis; Fiber optics; Servomotors; Spinning (fibers); Colon cancer; Colonoscope; Colonoscopy; Control module; Gold standards; Medical Devices; Simulation model; Two directions; Fiber optic sensors
Type
journal article