Design of an everting balloon to deploy a microendoscope to the fallopian tubes
2016
The 5-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is only 45% largely due to lack of effective screening methods. Current
methods include palpation, transvaginal ultrasound, and the CA-125 blood test. Finding disease reliably and at an early
stage increase survival to 92%. We have designed and built a 0.7 mm endoscope for the early detection of ovarian
cancer. Inserted transvaginally through the working channel of a hysteroscope, the falloposcope creates a minimally
invasive procedure for the screening of high risk women. To improve the ease-of-use and safety of falloposcope
deployment, we are working to create an everting balloon. Currently, the falloposcope would require a skilled user to
operate due to the challenging anatomy of the fallopian tubes – a small opening from the uterus (< 1 mm), tortuous path,
and delicate lumenal features. A balloon delivery system would gently open the fallopian tube and guide the
falloposcope down the center of lumen. We show balloon design and discuss integration with the falloposcope prototype.
We test possible mechanical damage to the tissue due to scraping, puncture, or overstretching. Successful introduction of
the everting balloon to simplify falloposcope delivery could expand screening beyond specialized centers to smaller
clinical locations.
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