7 3
M O N T H 2 0 1 4 | S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
venting the scope from slipping and keeping its view steady as instruments are
inserted through the biopsy channel.
The G-Eye Endoscope from Israeli manufacturer Smart Medical Systems
hasn't yet received the Food and Drug Administration's 510(k) approval for
sale in the U.S. market, but it's already in use among European endoscopists.
It's a standard scope with a reusable balloon built in at the distal end. At dif-
ferent levels of inflation, the balloon can straighten folds and open difficult-
to-see sections of the colon for inspection, or stabilize and anchor the scope
during therapeutic action.
Innovation's real payoff
There are many factors that drive the need to upgrade technology as it
advances, with greater efficiency, less-invasive techniques, economic benefits
and physician recruitment among them. Administrators often want to know
how the purchase and implementation of new equipment will pay off.
The value of enhancements to endoscopic visualization is clearly in their
promise to vastly improve patient care. The potential impact is significant.
Seeing polyps that might once have been overlooked opens the door to
more effective risk stratification and planning of surveillance intervals for
patients, a prevention strategy that ultimately saves lives. We're eagerly
awaiting more data on these innovations' benefits to patients.
OSM
Dr. Gross (
seth.gross@nyumc.org
) is the director of endoscopy for Tisch Hospital at NYU
Langone Medical Center.
E N D O S C O P Y
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