Colonoscopy Without Sedation Could Increase Screening Compliance

Using a disposable colonoscope with computer-assisted advancement technology could reduce sedation requirements, thus increasing colorectal cancer screening compliance.

A survey conducted by Guidepoint Global (New York, NY, USA), an independent research firm, among 100 internal medicine and primary care physicians found that 94% of referring physicians said they were concerned about patients not complying with their colonoscopy recommendation. The top two objections to colonoscopy screening that physicians reported hearing from their patients were concerns about pain (69%) and concerns about sedation (53%). Other reasons not to undergo colonoscopy were people being too busy to take time off work (41%), or not having someone to accompany the patients (38%).

“The key objections to screening identified in this survey are addressed by the invendoscopy system,” said John Cifarelli, Executive VP global markets of invendo medical (Kissing, Germany). “These survey results confirm that there is a clear need for a single-use colonoscope that might enable screening to be done without sedation. By providing a gentler colonoscopy option, we can address sedation-related barriers to compliance and ensure patients are appropriately screened for colorectal cancer.”

The invendoscope SC20 single-use colonoscope consists of a highly flexible endoscope with an electro-hydraulic deflecting tip and an inverted sleeve. The inverted sleeve technology causes the device to expand just below the deflection when advancing, and shrink when retreating, reducing the forces exerted. The device is delivered ready-for-use and after the examination, the complete endoscope, including camera head, is discarded, significantly reducing potential cross-infection risk.

All endoscopic and software functions can be quickly performed using an ergonomic handheld joystick control unit for the deflection of the endoscope tip, buttons for driving the invendoscope forward and backwards, and extra function keys for insufflation, rinsing, and suction, and image documentation and editing. Since each patient has his own personal invendoscope for their examination, no cleaning and disinfecting of the endoscope is required, simplifying workflows in the endoscopy department.

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