Endoscopic accessories are specialized medical devices used in conjunction with endoscopes to perform diagnostic, sampling, therapeutic, or auxiliary procedures during minimally invasive endoscopic examinations and treatments. These accessories access body cavities through the endoscope's working channel, significantly expanding the endoscope's fundamental capabilities—transforming it from a purely observational tool into a comprehensive operational platform integrating diagnosis, interventional therapy, and tissue management.
Core functions include:
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Diagnostic assistance: e.g., biopsy forceps and cytology brushes for precise tissue sampling; injection needles for targeted contrast agent delivery.
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Hemostasis and closure: including mechanical clipping devices, ligation systems, and suturing instruments for bleeding control or wound closure.
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Lesion resection: tools such as polypectomy snares and cutting knives for minimally invasive removal of polyps, early-stage tumors, and other lesions.
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Lumen management: guidewires establishing operational pathways, balloon catheters dilating stenotic areas, stents maintaining lumen patency, and stone retrieval devices clearing calculi.
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Operational optimization: irrigation/suction catheters maintaining clear visualization, fixation devices enhancing equipment stability, and specialized carts improving ergonomic efficiency.
Technological evolution focuses on:
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Intelligentization: Robot-assisted operations enhancing precision; AI-integrated systems enabling real-time decision support.
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Material innovation: Bioabsorbable closure materials reducing foreign body retention; ultra-flexible designs adapting to complex anatomies.
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Wireless integration: Wireless monitoring devices minimizing cable interference; modular tools increasing procedural efficiency.
These accessories are pivotal in advancing super minimally invasive surgery (SMIS), reshaping modern medical practice through reduced trauma and accelerated recovery.
