Will the robot take over endoscopy?

Abstract

The performance of an endoscopy typically involves the introduction by an endoscopist of a flexible endoscopic system into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract [1]. A conventional endoscope is composed of a flexible shaft, a bending section, and a control body. During the endoscopy procedure, the endoscope is inserted with the aim of achieving a complete examination of the GI tract through manipulating the flexible shaft and steering the bending section using knobs on the control body that are moved by the endoscopist. Skillful insertion of a colonoscope, which will certainly reduce the discomfort felt by the patient, is typically dependent on adequate visualization of the GI lumen and haptic sensation in manipulating the colonoscope. Excessive force when manipulating the colonoscope can induce significant discomfort and may cause perforation.