Endoscopy

Abstract

In the last 40 years progress in the field of diagnostic and interventional endoscopy (gastroenterology and laparoscopy) have been made, mainly driven through new technical developments from various areas of medical technologies such as optics, micro-mechanics, electronics, robotics, informatics, and image processing. These advances allow soft and gentle minimal-invasive access and interventions in all hollow organs, including the abdomen, stomach, large and small intestines, joints a was well nasal cavities. To accelerate the development and application of such diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities in all fields of endoscopy a understanding of the available technological possibilities is necessary.