Endoskopet

Endoskopet, or the endoscope, is a medical instrument designed to examine the interior of hollow organs and cavities. It consists of a slender tube with an optical system and a light source at its tip, allowing a clinician to visualize internal structures without large surgical incisions. Many endoscopes also include channels that permit the passage of instruments for biopsy, tissue sampling, suction, or therapeutic procedures.

Modern endoscopes come in rigid and flexible forms. Rigid endoscopes are straight and provide direct visualization, often used in controlled channels such as certain ear, nose, and throat procedures. Flexible endoscopes use fiber optics or digital sensors to transmit images and are capable of bending to navigate curved passages, making them common for gastrointestinal and respiratory examinations. Video and digital endoscopy have replaced eyepieces in many devices, delivering real-time images to monitors and enabling enhanced documentation and teaching. Some endoscopes are equipped with multiple channels and additional accessories for targeted interventions.

Endoscopic procedures span a wide range of specialties. Gastrointestinal endoscopy includes gastroscopy and colonoscopy for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Bronchoscopy examines the airways, while cystoscopy looks at the urinary tract. Arthroscopy uses a small endoscope to visualize joints, and laparoscopy employs instruments inserted through small abdominal incisions to inspect or operate within the peritoneal cavity. Capsule endoscopy, in which a swallowed camera capsule transmits images, represents a further development in noninvasive imaging.

History and development trace a progression from early light-based devices in the 19th century to flexible fiber-optic endoscopes in the mid-20th century and, later, to high-resolution digital video systems. Today, endoscopy is a standard tool in diagnosis, minimally invasive therapy, and surgical planning, with ongoing innovations in imaging, navigation, and safety.