Endosystems — future perspectives for endoluminal therapy

Abstract

SummaryEndoluminal therapy is widespread among different clinical specialities. Endoluminal therapy of gastrointestinal disease, endovascular therapy of stenoses, and transurethral resection of the prostate are only three examples from this diversified medical field. Notwithstanding the impressive technical possibilities offered by contemporary products, technological advances will have a considerable impact on the further development of endoluminal therapy. New technologies, such as microsystem technology, will bring about significant advances in both functionality and performance of endoluminal systems. Miniaturized robotic components and sensor systems for analysis of tissues in situ could form part of advanced devices applied, for example, to local tumour surgery. This article describes, in brief, a scenario of an endoluminal manipulator system and its technological platform.