ENDOSCOPIC CALIPERS

IN CLINICAL AND RESEARCH ENDOSCOPY, IT IS OFTEN DESIRABLE TOMEASURE THE DIMENSIONS OF VARIOUS VISIBLE STRUCTURES, INCLUDING LESIONS, POLYPS, AND STRICTURES. THESE MEASUREMENTS OFTEN CANNOT BE MADE WITH ANY RELIABILITY OR ACCURACY WITH CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES. THIS PROJECT WILL DEVELOP, TEST, AND REFINE AN ENDISCOPIC CALIPER DEVICE CAPABLE OF MAKING THE REQUISITE MEASUREMENTS ACCURATELY AND RELIABLY. THE DESIGN OF SUCH A DEVICE IS COMPLETE AND A PATENT IS PENDING. IN PHASE I, THE DEVICE WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AND TESTED. TESTING WILL INVOLVE EXPERIENCED ENDOSCOPISTS MEASURING, RECORDING, AND REPORTING ON THE SIZES OF VARIOUS OBJECTS CONTAINED WITHIN AN ARTIFICIAL GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. PHASE II WILL INCLUDE THE PRODUCTION OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF DEVICES THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FOR CLINICAL TESTING, AFTER WHICH MODIFICATIONS WILL BE MADE IF INDICATED.