• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.57 no.5
• /
• pp.581-587
• /
• 2024

Although colonoscopy is a routinely performed procedure, it is not devoid of challenges, such as the potential for perforation and considerable patient discomfort, leading to patients postponing the procedure with several healthcare risks. This review delves into preprocedural and procedural solutions, and emerging technologies aimed at addressing the drawbacks of colonoscopies. Insufflation and sedation techniques, together with various other methods, have been explored to increase patient satisfaction, and thereby, the quality of endoscopy. Recent advances in this field include the prevention of loop formation, encompassing the use of variable-stiffness endoscopes, computer-guided scopes, magnetic endoscopic imaging, robotics, and capsule endoscopy. An autonomous endoscope that relies on self-propulsion to completely avoid looping is a potentially groundbreaking technology for the next generation of endoscopes. Nevertheless, critical techniques need to be refined to ensure the development of effective and efficient endoscopes.

• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.335-341
• /
• 2024

Background/Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has affected the worldwide practice of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Here we designed a modified N95 respirator with a channel for endoscope insertion and evaluated its efficacy in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Methods: Thirty patients scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomized into the modified N95 (n=15) or control (n=15) group. The mask was placed on the patient after anesthesia administration and particles were counted every minute before (baseline) and during the procedure by a TSI AeroTrak particle counter (9306-04; TSI Inc.) and categorized by size (0.3, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 ㎛). Differences in particle counts between time points were recorded. Results: During the procedure, the modified N95 group displayed significantly smaller overall particle sizes than the control group (median [interquartile range], 231 [54-385] vs. 579 [213-1,379]×10³/m³; p=0.056). However, the intervention group had a significant decrease in 0.3-㎛ particles (68 [-25 to 185] vs. 242 [72-588] ×10³/m³; p=0.045). No adverse events occurred in either group. The device did not cause any inconvenience to the endoscopists or patients. Conclusions: This modified N95 respirator reduced the number of particles, especially 0.3-㎛ particles, generated during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.534-541
• /
• 2024

Background/Aims: In March 2022, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) released the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/AAMI ST91:2021, their latest update on comprehensive, flexible, and semirigid endoscope reprocessing. These updated standards recommend the sterilization of high-risk endoscopes when possible and provide new recommendations for the precleaning, leak testing, manual cleaning, visual inspection, automated reprocessing, drying, storage, and transport of endoscopes. Methods: ANSI/AAMI ST91:2021 was compared with ANSI/AAMI ST91:2015 for major reprocessing differences that result in either time and/or cost increases. Time estimates were captured by explicit recommendation inclusion or taken from the literature. All the costs were estimated using publicly available resources. Results: The updated standards represent a potential 24.3-minute and 52.35 to 67.57 United States dollars increase per procedure in terms of reprocessing time and spending, respectively, not including capital investments. Capital costs per procedure were highly dependent on the procedure volume of the facility. Conclusions: The new AAMI standards recommend several major changes, such as sterilization, for facilities to reprocess and manage endoscopes between uses. As more facilities increase their reprocessing methods to reflect the updated standards, they do so at a cost and introduce several delays. As the reprocessing landscape evolves, facilities should consider their true costs and alternative solutions, such as single-use endoscopes.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2020

Since the performance of deep learning techniques has recently been proven in the field of image processing, there are many attempts to perform classification, analysis, and detection of images using such techniques in various fields. Among them, the expectation of medical image analysis software, which can serve as a medical diagnostic assistant, is increasing. In this study, we are attention to the capsule endoscope image, which has a large data set and takes a long time to judge. The purpose of this paper is to distinguish the gastrointestinal landmarks and to estimate the gastrointestinal transition location that are common to all patients in the judging of capsule endoscopy and take a lot of time. To do this, we designed CNN-based Classifier that can identify gastrointestinal landmarks, and used it to estimate the gastrointestinal transition location by filtering the results. Then, we estimate gastrointestinal transition location about seven of eight patients entered the suspected gastrointestinal transition area. In the case of change from the stomach to the small intestine(pylorus), and change from the small intestine to the large intestine(ileocecal valve), we can check all eight patients were found to be in the suspected gastrointestinal transition area. we can found suspected gastrointestinal transition area in the range of 100 frames, and if the reader plays images at 10 frames per second, the gastrointestinal transition could be found in 10 seconds.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.447-453
• /
• 2004

In the case of a capsule that can acquire and transmit images from the intestines, the size of the module and the battery capacity in the capsule are subject to restriction. The capsule must be swallowable and the battery must maintain the stable power during the capsule travels in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is important to control the endoscope using bi-directional wireless communication. In this study, encoder and decoder CPLD modules for bi-directional capsule endoscopes were designed and implemented. The designed controller for capsule endoscope can transmit the images of GI-track from inside to outside of the body and the capsules can be controlled by external controller simultaneously. The designed and implemented controller was verified by an in-vivo animal experiments. From these experiments, it was verified that the CPLD module for bi-directional capsule endoscope satisfied the design specifications.

• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.674-682
• /
• 2022

Background/Aims: Endoscopic channels are difficult to clean and can cause infection transmission. We examined the effectiveness of a newly developed channel-cleaning ball brush (BB), which is sucked into the endoscopic channel and scrapes and cleans the lumen as it passes through. Methods: The upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopes used for patient examinations were randomly selected as the conventional brush (CB) or BB group. After manual cleaning, the presence or absence of carbohydrates, proteins, adenosine triphosphate, and hemoglobin was assessed. Results: Fifty-six and 58 endoscopes were cleaned with the CB and BB, respectively. Carbohydrate and protein were detected in one (1.8%) and two endoscopes (3.4%) in the CB and BB groups, respectively (p=1.000). Hemoglobin was observed in one (1.8%) and three endoscopes (5.2%) in the CB and BB groups, respectively (p=0.636). The adenosine triphosphate levels were 10.6±15.9 and 12.5±14.3 relative light units in the CB and BB groups, respectively (p=0.496). Twenty-seven (48.2%) and 19 (32.8%) endoscopes were positive for microbial cultures in the CB and BB groups, respectively (p=0.136). Conclusions: The efficacy of BB was not significantly different from that of CB in the endoscopic channel-cleaning process.

• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.716-725
• /
• 2023

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with surgically altered anatomy is technically challenging. For example, scope insertion, selective cannulation, and intended procedures, such as stone extraction or stent placement, can be difficult. Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE)-assisted ERCP has been used to effectively and safely address these technical issues in clinical practice. However, the small working channel limits its therapeutic potential. To address this shortcoming, a short-type SBE (short SBE) with a working length of 152 cm and a channel of 3.2 mm diameter has recently been introduced. Short SBE facilitates the use of larger accessories to complete certain procedures, such as stone extraction or self-expandable metallic stent placement. Despite the development in the SBE endoscope, various steps have to be overcome to successfully perform such procedure. To improve success, the challenging factors of each procedure must be identified. At the same time, endoscopists need to be mindful of adverse events, such as perforation, which can arise due to adhesions specific to the surgically altered anatomy. This review discussed technical tips regarding SBE-assisted ERCP in patients with surgically altered anatomy to increase success and reduce the risk of adverse events associated with ERCP.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.172-176
• /
• 2005

Purpose: There have been a few data about esophageal length in children and previous data are improper for application to various procedures. Because of the variability in height and weight of each the individuals especially in children, measurable external parameters are needed. Methods: We measured distance from upper incisor to esophago-gastric junction using a flexible endoscope and compared these data with age, height and weight in 262 children who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Results: The mean age was $9.0{\pm}3.6year$ (from 2 days to 16 year of age), mean height was $132.89{\pm}23.49cm$ and mean length from upper incisor to esophago-gastric junction was $33.34{\pm}5.42cm$. Correlation between distance from upper incisor to esophago-gastric junction and height was the mostly predictable indicator of the esophageal length (Pearson correlation=0.944). We propose a formula [Esophageal length=4.419+($0.218{\times}height$)] as a indicator of the esophageal length (p=0.000, $R^2=0.891$). Conclusion: The esophageal length in children and for application to various procedures can be reliably predicted by using the height.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.25-30
• /
• 1992

The causes of treatment failure in head and neck cancer are locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis and second primary cancer. The favorite sites of second primary cancer are head and neck, lung and esophagus. But, the incidence of stomach cancer in Korea is the highest of all, high incidence of stomach cancer is expected in head and neck cancer patients. We experienced 2 cases of stomach cancer after successful treatment of primary head and neck cancer at Kang Nam St. Mary's hospital. The first case was a 60-year-old male with nasopharyngeal non-keratinizing carcinoma(stage III, T1N1M0). He received three cycles of induction chemotherapy including cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy which resulted in complete response. Five months after completion of radiotherapy. stomach adenocarcinoma(stage IV, T4N2M1) was diagnosed. He received one cycle of FAM chemotherapy and died 4 months after diagnosis of stomach cancer. The second case was a 50-year-old male with pyriform sinus squamous cell carcinoma(stage II, T2N0M0). He received curative partial pharyngolaryngectomy followed by radiotherapy which result in free of disease. Four months after completion of radiotherapy. stomach adenocarcinoma(stage IV, T4N2M1) was diagnosed. Bypass gastrojejunostomy was performed. The screening test for stomach cancer including upper gastrointestinal X-xay series and/or endoscope of the stomach should be performed periodically for the patients with head and neck cancer in Korea.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.76-80
• /
• 2005

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentation and gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps. The most important complications that increase morbidity are intussusception, bleeding and obstruction. Most patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome may undergo multiple laparotomies for complications such as intussusception or bleeding every 2 to 3 years during adolescence and early adulthood. To decrease the relaparotomy rate, intraoperative endoscopy may be useful in the treatment of complications that are related to Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Use of intraoperative endoscopy can lead to a healthier life and to a longer life expectancy for the patient. We describe a case of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, who underwent polypectomy by total gut endoscopy in an 11-year-old girl presented with intestinal obstruction and anemia. During the course of the operation, the endoscope was inserted per the enterostomy and colostomy sites, and 16 polyps in the small and large intestine were removed endoscopically using a snare.