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A self-propelled colonoscope: Aer-O-Scope

  • Published:
Current Colorectal Cancer Reports

Abstract

Screening for colorectal cancer by full colon imaging has major advantages for detection of precancerous polyps. Colonoscopy is not feasible in all settings and is undesirable in some because of its cost, risk, need for sedation, and limited capacity. The Aer-O-Scope (GI View Ltd.; Ramat Gan, Israel) is a self-propelled, diagnosis-only colonoscope. Its propulsion system utilizes two balloons, one inflated and fixed in position in the rectum and a second, mobile balloon with a capsule endoscope fixed to the advancing end and a supply cable trailing from the opposite end. Gas insufflated between the balloons advances the mobile balloon. Propulsion has proven effective in pig and human colons in small studies. The imaging capsule has a forward viewing lens with a 90° angle of view and an “Omni” lens with 360° circumferential vision, including 25° of both forward vision and retrovision. The imaging system has proven effective in both in vivo and in vitro porcine models.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 550 North University Boulevard, UH 4100, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Douglas K. Rex

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  1. Douglas K. Rex
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Correspondence to Douglas K. Rex.

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Rex, D.K. A self-propelled colonoscope: Aer-O-Scope. Curr colorectal cancer rep 4, 10–13 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-008-0003-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11888-008-0003-4

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