A low-cost, portable, battery-powered microendoscope developed by Rice University bioengineers increases the sensitivity of esophageal cancer screenings. The new technology could eliminate unnecessary biopsies for patients with benign lesions.
To determine whether a biopsy is needed for a histological exam, health professionals often use endoscopes, small cameras mounted on flexible tubes that can be inserted into the body to visually examine an organ or tissue without surgery.
Rice University’s high-resolution microendoscope includes a 1-millimeter-wide fiber-optic cable that is attached to the standard endoscope. The cable transmits images to a high-powered fluorescence microscope. The microscope’s output is viewed via a tablet computer.
The microendoscope provides images with similar resolution to traditional histology and allows endoscopists to see individual cells and cell nuclei in lesions suspected of being cancerous.
By providing real-time histological data to endoscopists, Rice’s microendoscope can help rule out malignancy in cases that would otherwise require a biopsy.
Results from a clinical study verified that both experienced and novice endoscopists could use the technology to make accurate assessments of the need for a biopsy.
