Endockscope: using mobile technology to create global point of service endoscopy

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Endoscopy Technology
• Mobile Health

Background:

• Smartphones are increasingly integrated into healthcare innovations.
• The Endockscope is a novel docking system for connecting smartphones to endoscopes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the initial experience with the Endockscope system.
• To compare its performance against traditional high-definition (HD) endoscopic cameras.

Main Methods:

• Image resolution was assessed using the USAF resolution target.
• Color resolution was evaluated with the Munsell ColorChecker chart.
• Expert endoscopists compared images from both systems in a porcine model, alongside cost and weight analyses.

Main Results:

• Endockscope achieved identical image resolution (4.49 lp/mm) compared to HD cameras.
• Color resolution varied, with iPhone showing better red but the HD camera superior for green and blue.
• Expert evaluations found HD camera images superior for cystoscopy, but equivalent for ureteroscopy.
• The Endockscope+iPhone system was significantly cheaper ($154 vs. $46,623) and lighter (0.47 lb vs. 1.01 lb).

Conclusions:

• The Endockscope system is feasible for coupling endoscopes to smartphones.
• It offers a lighter, more affordable solution with comparable image resolution and acceptable color quality.
• Image quality was equivalent for flexible ureteroscopy and acceptable for flexible cystoscopy, as per expert review.