Design of an everting balloon to deploy a microendoscope to the fallopian tubes

Molly Keenan; Caitlin Howard; Tyler Tate; Ian McGuiness; Alexis Sauer-Budge; John Black; Urs Utzinger; Jennifer K. Barton

doi:10.1117/12.2213345

Translator Disclaimer

8 March 2016 Design of an everting balloon to deploy a microendoscope to the fallopian tubes

Molly Keenan, Caitlin Howard, Tyler Tate, Ian McGuiness, Alexis Sauer-Budge, John Black, Urs Utzinger, Jennifer K. Barton

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9689, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XII; 968944 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2213345
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2016, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is only 45% largely due to lack of effective screening methods. Current methods include palpation, transvaginal ultrasound, and the CA-125 blood test. Finding disease reliably and at an early stage increase survival to 92%. We have designed and built a 0.7 mm endoscope for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Inserted transvaginally through the working channel of a hysteroscope, the falloposcope creates a minimally invasive procedure for the screening of high risk women. To improve the ease-of-use and safety of falloposcope deployment, we are working to create an everting balloon. Currently, the falloposcope would require a skilled user to operate due to the challenging anatomy of the fallopian tubes – a small opening from the uterus (< 1 mm), tortuous path, and delicate lumenal features. A balloon delivery system would gently open the fallopian tube and guide the falloposcope down the center of lumen. We show balloon design and discuss integration with the falloposcope prototype. We test possible mechanical damage to the tissue due to scraping, puncture, or overstretching. Successful introduction of the everting balloon to simplify falloposcope delivery could expand screening beyond specialized centers to smaller clinical locations.

Citation Download Citation

Molly Keenan, Caitlin Howard, Tyler Tate, Ian McGuiness, Alexis Sauer-Budge, John Black, Urs Utzinger, and Jennifer K. Barton "Design of an everting balloon to deploy a microendoscope to the fallopian tubes", Proc. SPIE 9689, Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics XII, 968944 (8 March 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2213345

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE