American engineers have developed a new method for endoscopy of the esophagus with a laser, which significantly shortens the study time and is more informative than traditional endoscopy.

The first clinical trials of new medical equipment showed that the device is very effective in screening the esophagus.

For endoscopy, patients swallow a capsule as large as a multivitamin tablet. It is attached to the "thread", which includes an optical fiber, which ensures the course of the laser beam to the capsule. When the capsule passes through the esophagus, the laser beam "feels" the surface of the mucosa.

Reflection of the beam is captured by the sensor and transmitted through the communication system to the control panel. There, the information is transformed into an image. Specialists of the central Boston hospital, where the new device was tested, say that the image obtained is much higher than that of optical endoscopy.

Optical high-frequency imaging (optical frequency domain imaging) makes it possible to obtain detailed images of the surface of the esophageal mucosa in a resolution that is not possible in traditional endoscopy. It is possible to reproduce not only the three-dimensional visualization of the esophagus surface, but also to see deeper layers by means of optical coherent tomography.

Endoscopy with a laser is short-lived and low-traumatic. The ingestion of the capsule is not a problem, it does not require a sedative for the patient. Capsular endoscopy lasts 6 minutes, while optical endoscopy takes about an hour. While the only drawback of a new medical device is the inability to conduct a biopsy.

Currently, a pilot trial was conducted in 13 patients, which showed a remarkable clinical result. It is currently planned to conduct more extensive testing of new medical equipment for determining the sensitivity of laser endoscopy.

medbe. en.

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