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Review
. 2020 Dec 20:13:2631774520979591.
doi: 10.1177/2631774520979591. eCollection 2020 Jan-Dec.

The evolution of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy: where are we now?

Arun Sivananthan  1 , Ben Glover  2 , Lakshmana Ayaru  3 , Kinesh Patel  4 , Ara Darzi  2 , Nisha Patel  2
Affiliations
Review

The evolution of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy: where are we now?

Arun Sivananthan et al. Ther Adv Gastrointest Endosc. .

Abstract

Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy has evolved over time, fulfilling a widening diagnostic and therapeutic remit. As our understanding of colorectal cancer and its prevention has improved, endoscopy has progressed with improved diagnostic technologies and advancing endoscopic therapies. Despite this, the fundamental design of the endoscope has remained similar since its inception. This review presents the important role lower gastrointestinal endoscopy serves in the prevention of colorectal cancer and the desirable characteristics of the endoscope that would enhance this. A brief history of the endoscope is presented. Current and future robotic endoscopic platforms, which may fulfil these desirable characteristics, are discussed. The incorporation of new technologies from allied scientific disciplines will help the endoscope fulfil its maximum potential in preventing the increasing global burden of colorectal cancer. There are a number of endoscopic platforms under development, which show significant promise.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; disposable endoscopes; endoscopic mucosal resection; endoscopic submucosal dissection; robotic endoscopy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Evolution of the endoscope: (a) Lichtleiter endoscope (1806), (b) Mikulicz gastroscope (1881), (c) Schindler’s gastroscope (1932) and (d) Hirschowitz fibrescope (1957).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
EndoRings (left) and ENDOCUFF VISION.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Power Spiral (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Aer-O-Scope. Images show whole setup, insertion portion and close up view of tip with demonstration of vieiwing angles below. (GI View Ltd, Tel Aviv, Israel).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Endotics (Era Endoscopy, Peccioli, Italy).
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Invendoscope (Ambu, Ballerup, Denmark).
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Endoluminal Assistant for Surgical Endoscopy (EASE). a) slave component; b) master component (ICube laboratory, Strasbourg, France).
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
I²Snake (Hamlyn Centre, London, UK).
Figure 9.
Figure 9.
Master (EndoMASTER Pte, Singapore).
Figure 10.
Figure 10.
Flex Colorectal Drive (Medrobotics Corp, Raynam, Massachusetts, USA).
Figure 11.
Figure 11.
CYCLOPS (Hamlyn Centre, London, UK).
Figure 12.
Figure 12.
Eye Gaze: robotised system (left) and simulated trial (right).
Figure 13.
Figure 13.
Meshworm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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