Torque Assisting Device for Endoscopy

Unmet Need

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. As a preventative measure, more than 15 million colonoscopies are performed in the United States each year. This common screening procedure is essential for identifying and removing cancerous and potentially cancerous polyps in the colon. While colonoscopies are generally straightforward and painless for the patient, the design of the colonoscope, the device used by clinicians to perform the colonoscopy, presents ergonomic challenges for the user that can lead to overuse injury and failed detection of polyps. Thus, there is a need for an improved, ergonomic colonoscope that reduces the torque required to move the colonoscope through the colon and prevents overuse injury to the wrist and forearm of the user.

Technology

Duke inventors have developed a novel device that improves endoscope ergonomics. This device is intended to be attached to the end of a colonoscope and reduce fatigue and overuse of the wrist and forearm of the user. Specifically, the attachable device translates linear movements into rotational movements necessary for navigating the colonoscope through the colon, thereby decreasing torque on the thumb, wrist, and forearm of the user. This has been demonstrated to enhance colonoscope maneuverability while simultaneously reducing discomfort for the patient and physician.

Advantages

• Improves colonoscope ergonomics by reducing torque
• Prevents overuse injuries to operators’ wrists and forearms
• Enhances maneuverability of colonoscope
• Better ergonomics may also help prevent missed polyps in the colon
• Mitigates potential for patient injury that may lead to discomfort after the procedure