The Endockscope Using Next Generation Smartphones: "A Global Opportunity".

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Devices
• Optical Imaging

Background:

• Conventional videocystoscopy systems are expensive and not portable.
• There is a need for cost-effective and mobile cystoscopy solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the image quality of the Endockscope, a novel mobile videocystoscopy system.
• To compare the Endockscope's performance with conventional videocystoscopy.

Main Methods:

• The Endockscope system, comprising a smartphone, LED light, and fiberoptic cystoscope, was tested using ex-vivo porcine bladders.
• Video recordings were captured with various smartphones (iPhone 6, 6S, 7, Samsung S8, Google Pixel) and compared to a high-definition (HD) camera setup.
• Eleven urologists assessed image quality metrics, including resolution, brightness, color, sharpness, and diagnostic acceptability.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences in image quality were found between the Endockscope (with iPhone 7/Galaxy S8 and LED light) and the conventional HD camera with xenon light (XL).
• 82% of evaluators found the iPhone 7 + LED light source acceptable for diagnostics, compared to 100% for the Galaxy S8 + LED and HD camera + XL.
• iPhone 6 and Google Pixel with LED were inferior to the HD camera + XL.

Conclusions:

• The Endockscope system, costing $45 with an LED light source, is comparable in image quality to conventional videocystoscopy systems costing $45,000.
• The Endockscope paired with an iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy S8 offers a viable, cost-effective mobile videocystoscopy solution.