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Updated: Nov 2, 2025
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High Throughput Analysis of Liquid Droplet Impacts
Published on: March 6, 2020
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Investigation of droplets released during digestive endoscopy using a high-speed camera (with video): a pilot study
Dong Seok Lee1, Ji Bong Jeong1, Ji Won Kim2
1Department of Gastroenterology, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Surgical Endoscopy
|June 11, 2021
Summary
Digestive endoscopy procedures do not generate significant droplets, posing no greater infection risk than coughing. High-speed cameras confirmed minimal droplet release during these examinations.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Disease Control
- Medical Imaging Technology
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding droplet release during digestive endoscopy and potential infection transmission.
- Droplet generation at the endoscope insertion site is a frequently assumed phenomenon.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify droplet release during digestive endoscopy procedures.
- To assess the infection risk associated with droplets generated during endoscopy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a high-speed camera (FASTCAM SA-3) for detailed droplet visualization.
- Analyzed video data using post-processing software.
- Compared droplet formation in digestive endoscopy models against control models (spray bottle, cough).
Main Results:
- No droplets larger than 10 µm were observed in digestive endoscopy models.
- Droplet formation was not significantly affected by sedation levels, endoscopist proficiency, or gas injection volume.
- Control groups (coughing) clearly demonstrated droplet generation.
Conclusions:
- High-speed imaging indicates that digestive endoscopy generates minimal droplets.
- The risk of droplet-mediated infection from digestive endoscopy is comparable to or lower than that from forceful expiratory events like coughing.
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