Global Global
Endoscopes that Place Minimum Burden on Humans
FUJINON aims to provide products that are “easy on the patient.” Development of the transnasal endoscope began in 1999 following a request from a French doctor who said, “I would like to try an endoscope that can be inserted through the nasal passages.” The diameter of the tip of the endoscope tube thus far has normally been around 9mm. When this tube is inserted orally, the use of anesthesia is needed to prevent the patient from experiencing pain. Those patients who have experienced a pharyngeal reflex action (vomiting feeling) felt generally uncomfortable, or shed tears during a previous examination with the endoscope tube inserted orally sometimes feel resistance or anxiety when they must have another endoscopic examination.
When the endoscope is inserted through the nasal passage, however, unpleasant sensations such as a vomiting feeling are reduced and the examination is easier for the patient. During the examination, the patient can be more relaxed and secured by communicating with the doctor. This is because the tube used in nasal insertion is soft and has a diameter of about 6mm. The development of this thin tube required the solution of problems related to the development of a smaller, high-performance lens, imaging elements, and image processing technology. To develop this endoscope, the Fujifilm Group combined its optical and digital technologies and solved these problems one by one, thus leading in 2003 to the development of an endoscope with a tip diameter of 5.9mm. Going forward, we will continue to work on the research themes of improving image quality and making the tube even thinner and softer while still maintaining high image quality.
Inserted through the throat to the stomach (with a tip diameter of 9.4mm to 12mm)
Inserted through the nose into the stomach (with a tip diameter of 5.9mm)
As a result of the impact of steady public relations activities, including advertisements on radio and signboards, awareness of the transnasal endoscope is increasing. According to a survey of 3,000 women in their twenties, 23% of respondents said yes to the question, “Are you aware of the existence of transnasal endoscopes?” The number of telephone inquiries related to these endoscopes received by our call centers increased to more than 1,000 in a recent six-month period. About 80% of these inquiries were questions regarding the names of hospitals that have introduced transnasal endoscopes. Other questions asked frequently have included, “Is the examination not painful?” and “How is the examination carried out?” To help more people understand this endoscope properly, we have prepared and distributed a guidebook and posted a video presentation of transnasal endoscopes in use on our website.
