THE PAST, GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY
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While the first flexible endoscopes were developed over 60 years ago and many significant advances have been made, the ability to quickly and reliably visualise the whole gastrointestinal tract with an endoscope, has remained elusive. Traditional flexible endoscopes rely on the operator pushing them through the intestine. This works reasonably well for short lengths but the small diameter and length of the small intestine produces large resistive forces which prevents sufficient progression of traditional “push type” endoscopes.
As a consequence, other solutions to visualize the small intestine have been developed. The “Pill Camera” is one example but while it is able to detect problems, there is no ability to take any action at the time. When pathology is detected, the patient may require subsequent endoscopic or surgical procedures to obtain a definitive diagnosis or take corrective action. Also, the nature of existing endoscope technology requires different types of endoscopes for each section of the intestine, a Gastroscope for the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, an Enteroscope for the small intestine, and a Colonoscope for the large intestine. If one type of scope could be used for all procedures, this would greatly reduce the cost of providing these services, both in the initial outlay for the equipment, and also in the cost of cleaning and sterilizing the endoscopes for each procedure.
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For decades Gastroenterologists have dreamed of being able to quickly and easily examine the whole intestine, in one procedure, with one endoscope.....
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THE FUTURE - SINGLE USE ENDOSCOPES
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PARASCOPE™ POWERED BY FLUID KINETIC PROPULSION™
Endogene has developed proprietary technology which changes the whole concept of how an endoscope can be moved through the body. The Endogene Parascope™ is a self-advancing endoscope which no longer relies on the operator to “push” the scope along the length of the intestine.
Now, utilizing the Parascope™, with the press of a button, the operator can control the steady reliable forward movement of the endoscope greatly reducing the time required for procedures and enabling a greater range of endoscopic interventions which, in many cases, could eliminate the need for surgery. |
....with familiar feel and function to traditional endoscope designs, Parascope™ requires minimal additional training for the clinician to expand the possibilities for diagnostic and interventional procedures in the small intestine.
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WHAT IS FLUID KINETIC PROPULSION™ ?
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Fluid Kinetic Propulsion or FKP™ is the name given to an endoscopic application of the principle of inertia transfer by moving fluids interacting with the structures containing them.
In simple terms, energy is applied to a sealed column of fluid which runs inside the entire length of the endoscope. The transfer of kinetic energy or inertia from the fluid produces forward movement of the scope along its entire length which means that the movement will occur in a straight line or around the many twists and turns of the intestine so that forward progress is not limited by the mechanics required to "push" the endoscope, or the variations in the patient’s anatomy. |
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THE PARASCOPE™ ADVANTAGE
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By replacing the normal mechanical articulation within traditional flexible endoscopes with the completely internal FKP™ system, the scopes become lighter, more flexible, and can be made in longer lengths without limiting their functionality which is ideal for traversing the small intestine which is many meters in length.
Endogene’s vision of one type of endoscope which would empower clinicians with the tools they need to treat all the conditions they can see through the entire length of gastrointestinal tract. Our dream is being realised in the Parascope ™ system. |
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PARASCOPE™ USES FOR DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT
Reliable access to the small intestine through FKP™ technologies, will facilitate the application of many procedures which can reduce the incidence of the need to revert to a surgical solution. Common conditions such as obstructions of the small bowel, can be treated quickly and efficiently using various techniques such as balloon dilation or the delivery of stents.
Other procedures which are commonly performed only in the large intestine or the upper part of the small intestine could now be routinely performed at any point along the bowel. These include;
Other procedures which are commonly performed only in the large intestine or the upper part of the small intestine could now be routinely performed at any point along the bowel. These include;
- Endoscopic microscopy (EM)
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and ablation to remove and treat early tumors.
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to diagnose and treat cancers and other diseases of the GI tract and associated organs.
- Endoscopic management after gastric bypass surgery or other bariatric surgery
The technology may also apply to extending the potential for endoscopic interventions and treatments for conditions such as:
- Crohn's disease
- Bowel cancers & Intestinal neoplasms
- GI diverticulosis & GI tuberculosis
- Intestinal polyps &Familial polyposis
- Occult GI bleeding
- Whipple's disease
- Small intestine obstructions
- Small bowel sphincter incompetence
- Congenital narrowing of small bowel
- GI malabsorption such as coeliac disease.
- Acute intoxications (poisons, solvents, acids, drugs, etc).
- Removal of foreign bodies from small intestine (bones, needles, coins, etc).
- Intubation of small and large intestine in the management of acute peritonitis, toxic colon, etc.
- Detection of small and large bowel metastases of malignant melanoma and other cancers in pre-operative assessment.
- Small and large bowel resections from inside the bowel using Endogene stapler technology
PARASCOPE™ FOR THE WORLD
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Parascope™ will be available as reusable and single-use devices, covering the whole range of requirements for diagnostic and interventional gastrointestinal endoscopy. The reduction in complexity afforded by FKP™ technology has enabled our design engineers to develop “single-use disposable / recyclable ” endoscopes at market realistic prices, comparable with the cost of reprocessing reusable endoscopes. Single-use Parascopes will effectively eliminate the risk of cross infection and facilitate access to endoscopy services in regions where there are no hospitals or clinics which possess the extensive capital equipment required to clean, process and re-sterilize traditional reusable endoscopes.
The Parascope D™ is supported by a portable video processor, monitor and FKP™ drive unit to provide a comprehensive “go anywhere” solution, enabling medical practitioners to take their healing skills to the new frontiers of clinical practice. The ability to safely and economically perform intestinal endoscopy in a portable clinic situation will provide access to potentially life saving diagnostic and therapeutic services for millions of patients in developing economies around the world. |
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NEW ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS FROM ENDOGENE
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Endogene is developing new endoscopic instruments to extend the capabilities of Parascope™ and traditional endoscopes.
To see our first new design, click here |