Products analysis and new solution for multiple sample endoscope

Abstract

Endoscopes are tubular devices used during laparoscopic procedures to examine the interior of the patient’s body for diagnosis purposes. During the procedure, small tools called biopsy micro forceps can be inserted through the endoscope to collect several living tissue samples for pathologic analysis. Even if the market proposes a large variety of micro forceps, it is not able to accomplish all the medical doctor requirements. For this reason, this article aims to identify and compare the characteristics of the products available on the market so to identify their lacks and improvement areas and to propose a new device able to respond to the physicians’ requests. In particular, the most critical aspects of the actual devices were identified by analysing patents and products and organising meetings with gastroenterologists and pathologists. According to the obtained results, a new concept of endoscope is presented. In particular, its design allows to reduce the surgery time, to increase the number and the quality of collected tissue samples and, at the same time, to guarantee good sample quality and to reduce the overall cost of the device and the procedure.

Keywords:

• biopsy micro forceps
• market analysis
• pneumatic solution
• multiple sampling

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr V. Villanacci, from the Spedali Civili di Brescia, for his support in understanding the endoscopic biopsy procedures, and the team of master’s students (L. Bianchetti, A. Louki, A. Cappadona, K. Monroy and S. di Nardo) who collaborated in the development of several innovative BMF solutions.

Notes

1. As opposed to a laparoscope which is inserted through small incisions made in the patient’s body.

2. Patent search as of 29 November 2011, from the available web search engine http://www.freepatentsonline.com/ and http://www.google.com/patents.

3. Product search as of 29 November 2011, http://www.fujinon.de/en/medical-products/, http://www.karlstorz.com, http://www.olympus.com, http://www.cookmedical.com/home.do, http://www.bostonscientific.com, http://us.pentaxmedical.com.