SBIR Phase I: Advanced Balloon Endoscopy Overtube

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）I期项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是解决不完整结肠镜检查程序中未满足的需求，因为它们可能导致结肠直肠癌漏诊，并最终增加与随访程序相关的医疗保健支出，结肠镜检查市场估计为1 B美元。拟议的设备将以结肠镜检查的一小部分成本将今天超过15%的不完整结肠镜检查转变为完全筛查程序。 这种方法提供了一种全新的方式来完成不完整的程序，以最大限度地降低成本，同时改善患者的预后和整体临床经验。拟议的SBIR第I阶段项目将证明集成球囊外套管的可行性，该外套管可在术中用作内窥镜上的术中、省时附加物。 目前的球囊外套管仅用于具有挑战性的条件下，由于其麻烦的滑动和低效的应用，但在结肠镜检查期间使用它们可以显着提高盲肠插管率和整体结果。 申报的先进球囊外套管直接满足了最大限度地完成结肠镜检查的需求。该项目将促进内窥镜手术工具的开发。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.