Flexible colonoscopy remains the prime screening mean for colorectal cancer (CRC) and the gold standard of all population-based screening pathways worldwide. However, colonoscopy attendance rates are affected by discomfort, fear of pain, and embarrassment. Moreover, the emergence and global thread of communicable diseases might seriously affect the functioning of clinical centers performing gastrointestinal endoscopies. Innovative solutions are needed-Artificial intelligence (AI) and physical robotics-Which will drastically contribute for the future of healthcare services. The translation of robotic technologies from traditional surgery to minimally invasive endoscopic interventions is an emerging field, mainly challenged by the difficulties of miniaturization. Pioneering approaches for robotic colonoscopy (RC) have been reported in the nineties, with the appearance of inchworm-like devices. Research prototypes promise enhanced flexibility for future therapeutic interventions, even via autonomous or robotic-assisted agents, e.g., robotic capsules. Furthermore, the pairing of such endoscopes with AI-enabled image analysis and classification methods promises enhanced diagnosis. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Colonoscopy robots
Huan Y.;Ciuti G.
2022-01-01
Abstract
Flexible colonoscopy remains the prime screening mean for colorectal cancer (CRC) and the gold standard of all population-based screening pathways worldwide. However, colonoscopy attendance rates are affected by discomfort, fear of pain, and embarrassment. Moreover, the emergence and global thread of communicable diseases might seriously affect the functioning of clinical centers performing gastrointestinal endoscopies. Innovative solutions are needed-Artificial intelligence (AI) and physical robotics-Which will drastically contribute for the future of healthcare services. The translation of robotic technologies from traditional surgery to minimally invasive endoscopic interventions is an emerging field, mainly challenged by the difficulties of miniaturization. Pioneering approaches for robotic colonoscopy (RC) have been reported in the nineties, with the appearance of inchworm-like devices. Research prototypes promise enhanced flexibility for future therapeutic interventions, even via autonomous or robotic-assisted agents, e.g., robotic capsules. Furthermore, the pairing of such endoscopes with AI-enabled image analysis and classification methods promises enhanced diagnosis. © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
