The use of an ultraportable universal serial bus endoscope for education and training in neuroendoscopy

Video endoscopy systems are typically very expensive and not particularly portable. We evaluated an inexpensive and ultraportable system for laboratory training in skull base endoscopic dissections.

In June 2010, we assembled commercially available components consisting of a universal serial bus-powered video camera, a battery-charged light-emitting diode (LED) light source, and a 13-inch laptop to perform skull base endoscopic dissection at our anatomy laboratory. We evaluated its cost, portability, and image quality as a valid tool for neurosurgical and rhinology training.

The system performed smoothly with no clinical perception of image delay during video recording. The LED light source and the overall image quality were considered adequate, providing appropriate detail for endoscopic surgical simulation in the laboratory. The cost is around 1/10 to 1/100 of a standard or high-definition endoscopy system, and the entire system weighs only 5 pounds.

The combination of a portable computer's video processing allied to a highly energy-efficient video camera and LED light source is useful for training in neuroendoscopy. Its clinical role in settings with limited resources requires further research.