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The ability to observe and manipulate tissue structure and function within the human body in minimally invasive ways improves clinical diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of pathological conditions. In this joint collection between Communications Engineering, Communications Medicine and Scientific Reports, we bring together engineering research that improves endoscopic technologies and instruments, with clinical research describing the latest progress using endoscopy to improve patient outcomes.
Better tools can lead to improved diagnostic capability, less invasive approaches, and greater functionality, such as combinatorial imaging and precision treatments. From an engineering perspective, relevant topics include: endoscope design considering different imaging modalities, multimodal and multifunctional platforms, robotic and wireless approaches, data driven methods such as machine learning, and the incorporation of materials and approaches to prevent tissue injury (such as hydrogels). We also encourage submissions covering clinical applications that represent significant advances in diagnosis or treatment, including comparisons of different approaches, new applications and improvements to existing approaches. In bringing the technological and clinical communities together, we hope to create interdisciplinary interest, discussion and maybe even initiate new collaborations to advance this important biomedical imaging platform.
High-resolution fiber shape sensors face limited application due to high costs. Manavi et al. proposed a solution employing deep learning for shape prediction directly from the fiber sensor’s spectrum. This approach eliminates the need for expensive measurements and complex post-processing, providing a cost-effective yet accurate method for detecting complex multi-bend deformations.
Watanabe and colleagues investigate the effects of different lubricants on the friction coefficient during colonoscopy. They also develop a corresponding model to measure the dynamic friction coefficient and determine the optimal viscosity for minimizing colonoscopy invasiveness, enhancing patient comfort, and improving surgical efficiency.
Chao Xu et al. introduce a liquid shaping technique for the rapid and scalable fabrication of ultrathin and high-performance optical coherence tomography microendoscopes, suitable for minimally invasive clinical applications.
Shaoyan Zhang and colleagues describe a combined all-optical ultrasound imaging and laser ablation tool. The device, less than 1mm in diameter, enables ablation and simultaneous real-time ablation monitoring of tissue at the mm scale. The device could be used for minimally invasive surgical applications.
Ali Shah, Seol et al. use a radiofrequency conductor balloon catheter and an injectable bronchial electrode based on a medical grade liquid metal in a bronchoscopy-guided no-touch radiofrequency ablation procedure in porcine lungs. This approach successfully treats porcine pulmonary nodules.