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whole new colonoscope platform, which requires a large up-front capital
investment, is that it can be used for all of your patients.
That's not always the case with the single-use devices that are growing in pop-
ularity. Since these disposable items are new to the field, they can be a price
anomaly, although they do eliminate the large up-front capital costs. Many facili-
ties are only using them on a case-by-case basis, although even those standards
vary drastically. As more competitors enter the field, these items are sure to
become more appropriately priced and will be used in more cases.
Though the research is currently limited on the benefits of devices that
enhance colonoscopy views, that will change as the use of the new technolo-
gies becomes more widespread. As more data is collected, the advance-
ments will evolve further to enhance polyp detection rates and save patient
lives.
OSM
Dr. Gross (seth.gross@nyumc.org) is an associate professor at the New York University School of Medicine and
section chief of gastroenterology and director of endoscopy at the NYU Langone Medical Center.
