SBIR Phase I: Advanced Balloon Endoscopy Overtube

小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是解决不完整结肠镜检查程序中未得到满足的需求，因为它们可能导致漏诊结直肠癌，并最终增加与后续程序相关的医疗支出，结肠镜检查市场估计有10亿美元。拟议的设备将使目前超过15%的不完整结肠镜检查过渡到完全筛查程序，而成本只有结肠镜检查的一小部分。这一建议的方法为完成不完整的程序提供了一种全新的方式，以最大限度地减少成本，同时改善患者的结果和整体临床体验。拟议的SBIR第一阶段项目将证明集成球囊覆盖管的可行性，该管可在术中用作内窥镜上的一种省时的中期补充。目前的球囊外插管仅在困难的条件下使用，因为它们麻烦的滑脱和低效的使用，但在结肠镜检查中使用它们可以显著提高盲肠插管率和总体结果。建议的先进球囊覆盖管直接满足了最大限度地提高完整结肠镜检查的需要。该项目将推进内窥镜手术中工具的开发。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to address an unmet need in incomplete colonoscopy procedures, as they can result in missed colorectal cancer and ultimately increase healthcare expenditures related to follow-up procedures, with an estimated $1 B in the colonoscopy market. The proposed device will transition over 15% of colonoscopies today that are incomplete to fully screened procedures at a fraction of the cost of a colonoscopy. This proposed approach offers an entirely new manner for completing incomplete procedures to minimize costs, while improving patient outcomes and overall clinical experience. The proposed SBIR Phase I project will demonstrate feasibility of an integrated balloon overtube that can be used intraoperatively as a mid-procedure, time-efficient addition on the endoscope. Current balloon overtubes are used only in challenging conditions, due to their troublesome slippage and inefficient application, but their use during colonoscopy can significantly improve cecal intubation rates and overall outcomes. The proposed advanced balloon overtube directly addresses the need to maximize complete colonoscopies. This project will advance the development of an intraoperative tool for endoscopists.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.