Robotic, self-propelled, self-steerable, and disposable colonoscopes: Reality or pipe dream? A state of the art review

Figure 1 PubMed search for “robotic colonoscopy” showing the increasing number of papers over the last 3 decades[23].

Figure 2 Aer-O-Scope (GI View Ltd. , Ramat Gan, Israel). A: Single use colonoscope scanner; B: Workstation. Citation: Images supplied directly by the manufacturer with email detailing permission to use attached as a text file.

Figure 3 Invendoscope SC20 (Invendo Medical GmbH, Weinheim, Germany). A: Workstation; B: Drive unit; C: Deflectable tip; D: Working channel. Citation: Groth S, Rex DK, Rösch T, Hoepffner N. High cecal intubation rates with a new computer-assisted colonoscope: a feasibility study. Am J Gastroenterol 2011; 106: 1075-1080. Copyright© The Authors 2020. Published by Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Figure 4 Magnetic flexible endoscope (STORM lab, Leeds, United Kingdom and Nashville, TN, United States).

Figure 5 Endoluminal assistant for surgical endoscopy (EASE; KARL STORZ/IRCAD, Strasbourg, France). A: Flexible tip with antagonistic tendons with tools attached; B: Slave unit. Citation: Permission for use and images provided directly by the lab who developed the device. Email confirmation attached as a text file.