Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a procedure that lets your doctor look inside your body. It uses an instrument called an endoscope, or scope for short. Scopes have a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube. The doctor moves it through a body passageway or opening to see inside an organ. Sometimes scopes are used for surgery, such as for removing polyps from the colon.

There are many different kinds of endoscopy. Here are the names of some of them and where they look.

Arthroscopy: joints
Bronchoscopy: lungs
Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy: large intestine
Cystoscopy and ureteroscopy: urinary system
Laparoscopy: abdomen or pelvis
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: esophagus and stomach

Endoscopy on Wikipedia

'''Endoscopy''' means ''looking inside'' and refers to looking inside the human body for medical reasons.

Overview

It is a minimally invasive diagnostic medicine procedure used to evaluate the interior surfaces of an organ by inserting a small scope in the body, often but not necessarily through a natural body opening. Through the scope, one is able to see lesions. An instrument may not only provide an image but also enable taking small biopsies and retrieve foreign objects. Endoscopy is the vehicle for minimally invasive surgery. Many endoscopic procedures are relatively painless and only associated with mild discomfort, though patients are sedated for most procedures. Complications are rare but may include perforation of the organ under inspection with the endoscope or biopsy instrument. If this occurs, surgery may be required to repair the injury.

Components

One can distinguish: *using a light delivery system to illuminate the organ (anatomy) under inspection. Nowadays the light source is outside the body and the light is typically directed via an optical fiber system. *transmitting the through a lens system, and in flexible systems a fiberscope to the viewer. *in recent years having a camera, called a capsule camera or video pill at the distal end of the optical system to project findings on a video system. *in operative endoscopes having an additional channel to allow entry of instruments to biopsy or operate. Endoscopy equipment is primarily manufactured by imaging companies Stryker Corporation, Fujinon, Pentax and Olympus. Stryker Corporation, Pentax and Olympus are the most notable innovators in this field.

Types

Endoscopic equipment can be used to visualize and collect specimens from: *The gastrointestinal tract: **esophagus, stomach and duodenum (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) **colon (anatomy) (colonoscopy), ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Integrated Endoscopy - A manufacturer of borescope video inspection products for quality control. Includes borescope endoscope technology products with video display.

Calibre Plastics Ltd - Specialist plastic fabricators - supply a range of science laboratory equipment including fume cupboards, exhaust systems, ductless hoods, chemical and flammable goods storage cabinets, and endoscopy equipment.

Department of Medical Physics & Bioengineering, University College London - Department has a broad range of interests: Biomedical Optics Radiation Physics Quantitative Medical Imaging Incontinence Lasers and Endoscopy MRI Medical Graphics Implated Devices

Surgi-staff - Supplemental staffing agency servicing medical facilities for perioperative nursing areas; for surgery, PACU, endoscopy, critical care and telemetry. Personnel employed are: registered nurses, RNFA, certified surgical technicians, and CSTFA.

Area Medica Soft International Srl - Developers of software for digestive endoscopy, with sample pages and author profiles. Available in several languages.

Smith & Nephew PLC - Research, development, manufacturing and marketing of devices and products for the fields of orthopaedics, wound management and endoscopy. Includes details of each branch and links to international subsidiaries. Headquarters in London, United Kingdom.

ENDObasic, Inc. - Providing endoscopy supplies such as Biopsy forceps, endoscopy snares, baskets, graspers, and polyp traps.

Wilson-Cook Medical - Providing diagnostic and therapeutic treatment in the field of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Stahl Endoscopy - German made instuments for Urology, arthroscopy and laparoscopy. Medical equipment distributors.