Flexible Piezoelectric Sensor For Real-Time Image-Guided Colonoscopies: A Solution To Endoscopic Looping Challenges In Clinic

Colonoscopies are routine, low-risk procedures that are used to screen patients for diseases like colorectal cancer. However, often times they are performed with moderate sedation (i.e. conscious sedation) which may result in pain for patients. With moderate sedation, these procedures can be extremely painful, with one study reporting that more than 20% of patients experienced severe pain. This pain is often the result of a phenomenon called "endoscopic looping," which occurs when the scope loops within the patient's bowels and stretches out their intestines. Looping is extremely common, and can occur in up to 90% of procedures. This study reports a low-cost endoscopy visualization device aimed to decrease patient pain during colonoscopies and time lost due to complications experienced during procedures. The device consists of a flexible piezoelectric sensor to detect applied forces during looping, bending, or compression. In order to use the device, the endoscopist inserts the piezoelectric cable fully within the working channel of the colonoscope before the colonoscopy begins. The piezoelectric cable is connected to an external monitor. If extreme forces or bends are detected by the piezoelectric cable, a notification can appear on screen that a loop is forming. Once the colonoscope reaches the desired location, the endoscopist removes the piezoelectric cable, leaving the working channel open for use by other tools, such as biopsy forceps.