Endoscope with Integrated Sensors

摘要

The insertion tube of an endoscope is equipped with an array of pressure sensors that provide real-time information of the pressure exerted by the insertion tube as it passes through a patient's body during an endoscopic procedure. Pressure information may be displayed in real time, wherein regions of high pressure are highlighted. An alarm is generated when the pressure applied at any location inside the patient's body exceeds safe limits. Further, sensors may be placed along the length of the insertion tube for measurement of distance travelled by the tip of an endoscope, which is integrated with measurement of the force applied by a physician in maneuvering the endoscope to determine applied force at a given location.

主权项

1. An endoscope system configured to minimize a risk of perforating a patient's gastrointestinal tract during an endoscopic procedure, said endoscope comprising
a tip section, said tip section comprising a plurality of viewing elements to generate front and side views; an insertion tube connected to said tip section; a plurality of pressure sensors positioned on a surface of the insertion tube, wherein each of said pressure sensors is configured to generate data indicative of a pressure being experienced at a surface of the insertion tube corresponding to said each pressure sensor; and, a processing unit configured to receive said pressure data, compare said pressure data to one or more threshold pressure data levels, and generate an alarm if said pressure data exceeds a predetermined amount.