ENDOSCOPE EVOLUTION

The word endoscope comes from the Greek word endoscópesis, a compound word consisting of éndon, which means inside and scopeín, which means to watch carefully.

An endoscope is a lighted optical instrument, typically slender and tubular, that is used to get a deep look inside the body. Specialized endoscopes are named after their target organ.

Early physicians such as the Arabian, Albukasim (936-1013 A.D.), and later in 1805, Phillip Bozzini, were among the first to develop methods to examine body orifices. Throughout the mid 1800's, several scientists attempted to construct endoscope-like instruments.

The first effective open-tube endoscope was developed in 1853 by Desormeaux and it was used to examine the urethra and the bladder.

In 1868 Adolph Kussmaul tested a rigid gastroscope on a sword-swallower to establish the line from mouth to stomach.

Due to the limitations on flexibility, the patient had to be positioned in order that the gastroscope could simply slide down the oesophagus towards the stomach. It would then be rotated to visualize all areas of the stomach.

Rudolf Schindler (1888-1968), considered the “father of gastroscopy”, made incredible efforts to promote the use of gastroscopy as a diagnostic technique for gastrointestinal conditions.

Schindler was the brains behind the first ever semi-flexible gastroscope, created in 1931. He constructed the gastroscope in such a manner that the distal end could be rotated, while the proximal end remained stationary. This allowed easier access to all areas of the stomach.

The first fiber optic endoscope was invented by Basil Hirschowitz and Larry Curtiss in 1957, allowing further exploration of part of the small intestine and the whole colon.

From 1968 to 1990, there was an explosion in technical achievements that transformed the practice of gastroenterology. An example of a major breakthrough was the capability to see beyond the mucosa with endoscopic ultrasound. This period is considered by some as the “golden era” of gastrointestinal endoscopy.

The endoscopes used nowadays not only have improved in terms of image quality and patient comfort, they allow the insertion of different medical instruments that are key on diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

As technology evolves, further developments can be expected in the endoscopy field, from robotic systems, disposable endoscopes, video capsule endoscopy, augmented reality and new imaging modalities, to endoscopy VR simulators for trainees.

                                            Endoscope Olympus GIF-H180

Sources:

-https://www.medicinenet.com/endoscope/definition.htm

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscope

-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9449087/

-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22717798/

-https://heritageblog.rcpsg.ac.uk/2016/09/29/the-semi-flexible-gastroscope/

-https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10620-013-2976-3

-https://www.medlikim.com/en/produit/endoscope-olympus-gif-h180-2/

-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoscopy#Medical_uses

ENDOSCOPY

Endoscopy is the insertion of a long, thin tube directly into the body to observe an internal organ or tissue in detail. Its purpose can be diagnostic or therapeutic. 
These procedures are minimally invasive and usually performed through natural body openings such as the mouth and anus, these cameras can also be inserted into small incisions.

Endoscopy can be used to investigate different body systems: 

• Gastrointestinal tract: 

-esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, also known as OGD).

-small intestine (Enteroscopy).

-large intestine/colon (Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, also known as FOS, and Colonoscopy).

-liver, gall bladder, bile duct and pancreas (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, ERCP) 

-rectum and anus (Rectoscopy, Anoscopy).

• Respiratory tract: nose (rhinoscopy), lower respiratory tract (bronchoscopy).
• Ear: otoscopy.
• Urinary tract: cystoscopy.
• Female reproductive tract (gynoscopy): Cervix (colposcopy), uterus (hysteroscopy), fallopian tubes (falloposcopy).
• Through a small incision: abdominal or pelvic cavity (laparoscopy, also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery), interior of a joint (arthroscopy), organs of the chest (thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy).

Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the digestive tract, the gallbladder, liver, bile ducts, and pancreas. Endoscopy is often used in this specialty to diagnose or treat different gastrointestinal conditions. It can help identify ulcers, bleeding, celiac disease, blockages, inflammation, and tumors, and find the cause of unexplained symptoms, such as heartburn, abdominal pain, weight loss, bleeding, nausea and vomiting.

Ultrasound or fluoroscopy are often used in conjunction with endoscopy for, but not limited to, detailed imaging of the digestive tract and adjacent organs, and management of therapeutic procedures such as removal of gallstones from the bile duct, stents and dilatations. 

Capsule Endoscopy

It's a type of endoscopy done using a wireless camera that fits inside a tiny, disposable capsule that can be swallowed. 

The camera takes several thousands of pictures or a video along its journey through the gastrointestinal tract, these pictures and images help detect and diagnose different conditions.  ‌

It is commonly used to view the small intestine which is difficult to access using a traditional endoscope. 

Sources:

-https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153737

-https://www.digestivemed.com/blog/post/the-benefits-of-an-endoscopy.html

-https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-is-capsule-endoscopy

-https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/endoscopy