Considerations for endoscopic imaging of the fallopian tubes

We have developed endoscopes for the fallopian tubes that contain multispectral fluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, and/or cell collecting wires. The ability to expand the lumen of the fallopian tube with saline or balloon pressure has been proposed as a method for assuring high quality imaging and increasing the lumen diameter. Using ex vivo porcine and human tissue, we found that fallopian tubes can tolerate pressurization of up to 15 psi. Movement of balloons within the fallopian tube can denude the epithelial layer. The external diameter of tubes expanded by a minimal amount under pressurization, indicating sub-mm diameter endoscopes are required.