endoscope

An endoscope is a medical instrument used to examine the interior of hollow organs and bodily cavities. It consists of a shaft that can be rigid or flexible, illumination, and an imaging system that transmits a view to a screen or eyepiece. Modern endoscopes typically include a camera at the tip, a light source such as LEDs, and, in many models, a working channel to pass instruments.

Rigid endoscopes are commonly used in ophthalmology, urology, and certain surgical procedures, while flexible endoscopes are predominant in diagnostic and therapeutic areas such as the gastrointestinal tract and airways. Imaging modes range from traditional video to high-definition digital sensors, and many devices employ fiber optics or digital imaging with optional enhancements like magnification or narrow-band imaging. Working channels allow biopsy forceps, snares, irrigation, suction, and other tools to be introduced during a procedure.

Endoscopes enable a wide range of applications, including gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, cystoscopy, laparoscopy, and arthroscopy. They are also used by ENT specialists, gynecologists, and surgeons for visualization and targeted intervention. In nonclinical settings, industrial borescopes perform similar inspection tasks in machinery and structures.

Procedures are typically performed in a specialized setting under sedation or anesthesia. Risks include perforation, bleeding, infection, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Reprocessing and sterilization are critical; reusable endoscopes require thorough cleaning and high-level disinfection or sterilization, while single-use devices reduce infection risk.

The development of flexible, fiber-optic and digital endoscopes transformed medical diagnostics and minimally invasive surgery, continually expanding the capabilities of endoscopic visualization and therapy.