[Shadow optic. An endoscope with optimized ligth]

Modern endoscopes use a single mid-frontal illumination source that yields an unnatural flat image. At the University of Tübingen, in collaboration with Gimmi GmbH (Tuttlingen, Germany), a new concept endoscope has been developed with an additional light source: the shadow optic. With the aid of a secondary light source along the axis of the endoscope, a shadow is obtained which gives an impression of spatial depth. The aim of the study was to assess this new endoscope objectively, focusing on the speed and safety of the surgical act. The shadow optic was used in an experimental setting by 20 probands, each of whom performed five different standardized procedures of increasing difficulty five times, with and without shadow optic in randomized sequence, making a total of 1000 experiments. The procedures consisted in spatial orientation tests, structure-surrounding maneuvers, tissue clamping, needle puncture and suturing. The evaluation criteria were the time required to perform the procedures and the number of predefined errors as determined by electronic control. In each procedure, the time needed to perform the experiments was shorter with the shadow optic, reductions of up to 18% being recorded, and the number of errors was up to 54% lower compared to the experiments conducted with the traditional endoscope. The results of the study demonstrate that, as a result of the more natural spatial view conditions, the procedures were performed faster and with greater precision when the shadow optic was used. The endoscopic imaging with the shadow optic makes for better spatial orientation and a more natural and manageable image.