Learning Objectives: To raise awareness amongst ENT surgeons of the potential role that digital and mobile device technology such as the endoscope-i can play in enhancing the delivery of healthcare services to patients.
Introduction: Digital and mobile device innovation in healthcare is a growing market. The introduction of the endoscope-i, the world's first endoscopic mobile imaging system, allows the acquisition of high definition images and videos, without the need for expensive and bulky stack systems.
Methods: The endoscope-i system was first developed by the senior authors in conjunction with experts in the engineering and software development fields. The system combines the e-i Pro camera app with a bespoke engineered endoscope-i adaptor which fits securely onto the iPhone. The system is portable and allows high definition endoscopic imaging of the ear, nose and throat, with the facility to capture still images and videos.
Results: The endoscope-i has far-reaching applications but comes into its own in when examining the ear endoscopically. The assessment of a variety of pathology such as tympanic membrane perforations, retraction pockets and cholesteatoma can be undertaken efficiently and relayed immediately to the patient. Not only does this provide instant feedback to the patient during the consultation, thereby improving patient education, it also allows the documentation of findings via a secure app which can be stored as part of the patient's record of care, replacing the need for previous hand-drawn notes.
Conclusions: The use of endoscopic mobile imaging systems has the potential to transform the way that healthcare is delivered in ENT. The endoscope-i system provides a cost effective device that is accessible, easy to use and which makes diagnostics simpler and quicker. Although there are clear applications in the field of otolaryngology, the technology is also being used by other medical specialties such as anaesthetics and urology as well as in veterinary medicine and engineering.
