The introduction of high-definition endoscopes has made it possible to obtain dramatically clear images. Also, small lesions that are difficult to discover with conventional lighting are now being identified with optical digital technology for image enhancement.
Tumors including cancer require nutritional support from blood vessels to proliferate, so blood vessels tend to gather near such lesions. A new technology called narrow band imaging (NBI) uses blue light to highlight capillary vessels on mucous membranes and green light to highlight deep thick vessels. Observing the shapes and gathering patterns of blood vessels with this new technology is helping to discover lesions in very early stages.
Early DiagnosisNBI and Transnasal Endoscope
Narrow Band Imaging (NBI)
Capillary vessels on mucous membrane enhanced with blue light
Deep vessels highlighted with green light
Transnasal Endoscopy using Small-diameter Endoscope
To examine upper digestive organs such as the stomach or esophagus, an endoscope of diameter 8mm to 9mm is inserted through the mouth in a conventional procedure called oral insertion. Thanks to new precision-machining and digital-processing technologies, however endoscopes with approx. 5mm diameters are now used for transnasal insertion. Because the endoscope does not pass over the base of the tongue, the reduced chance of gag reflex contributes to lower the burden on the patient.
Insertion route of transnasal endoscope
Tip of small-diameter endoscope compared to a pencil