What is Interventional Endoscopy?

How does it differ from Diagnostic Endoscopy?

Diagnostic endoscopy allows inspection of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract utilizing an endoscope. An endoscope is a flexible tube, approximately as thick as a pencil, with a tiny light and camera at the tip. It is passed into the intestines, through either the esophagus or rectum, and produces an image of the intestinal tract on a color monitor. Interventional endoscopy provides the same opportunity for gastrointestinal inspection; however, it also allows the endoscopist to perform surgical-type procedures from the inside.

A channel within the endoscope provides a conduit to introduce miniature instruments for the endoscopist's use during examination and procedures. Miniature endoscopes can be passed through the channel enabling endoscopic procedures in the bile and pancreatic ducts. Tiny ultrasound transducers are even used to examine tiny lesions within the gastrointestinal tract.

Miniature instruments:

• Tissue sampling devices (brush, forceps, aspiration needle)
  
• Needle and wire "knifes"
  
• Injection catheters
  
• Clip, band, suture, and stent applicators
  
• Thermal coagulation probes
  
• Balloons and baskets
  
• Miniature endoscopes
  
• Miniature ultrasound catheters




Operating endoscope with instrumentation channel



Clipping device



Endolooping device



Miniature endoscope ("babyscope")



Miniature ultrasound catheter