Novel Ideas & Custom Made Devices

3D Endoscopic Ultrasound System

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a technique that combines endoscopy and ultrasound. Currently the main application of EUS in the upper gastrointestinal system is for assessment of benign and malignant lesions. In Scotland the incidence of oesophageal cancer is approximately 14 per 100,000. Where overall five year survival remains low (5-10%) and two-thirds of patients have irresectable disease at diagnosis. Caveats of the technique include limited ability to assess lesions when the scope cannot be negotiated through malignant strictures, the relative inaccuracy of EUS to assess tumours post-radio or chemotherapy or recurrence following an operation and the inability to detect the number of nodes observed when the tumour is excised and studied histologically. Furthermore EUS is operator dependent and although can provide adequate information regarding depth of tumour invasion, length of lesions can be wrongly estimated over 20%.

Please click on the images below to view a high resolution version.

Block diagram of the proto-type 3D Endoscopic Ultrasound system used for phantom studies.
Images of the EUS tissue mimicking phantom and mould. The mould was custom manufactured within our mechanical workshop.
Example of a 3D Reconstruction of the EUS anthropomorphic Phantom with 3D, coronal, sagittal and transverse views. The above 3D EUS system was used to acquire and reconstruct this example.
Example of a 3D Reconstruction of an in-vivo EUS scan, of an early (T1 staged) tumour, with 3D, coronal, sagittal and transverse views.
Custom manufactured palm strap, holder and positional arm attachement for 3D EUS system designed to be safely and omfortably attached to the endoscopist's hand during scanning. Designed with quick release for patient safety.