EndoCuff: Revolutionizing Colonoscopy with Innovative Design

Improving Mucosal Vision and Enhancing Tip Control

Inspired by the practical difficulties faced during a conventional colonoscopy, Alasdair Barnett and Bruce Hutchison of DesignEdge set out to create a solution that would address these challenges. The conventional colonoscope often slips back, requires high forces to push, and lacks stability. Additionally, it can miss lesions hidden behind colon folds. These factors served as the basis for the inspiration behind EndoCuff.

EndoCuff features soft, flexible projections that gently support the tip of the colonoscope in the center of the colonic lumen, providing stability and reducing slip back and patient discomfort. The projections also evert large folds and flatten small folds, allowing for better visualization of the mucosa. Colonoscopists can use the flexible arms to manipulate folds and polyps, further enhancing the examination process. Each soft projection moves independently, rotating on a hinge at its base, ensuring an improved position. During forward motion, the hairs fall flush with the body, minimizing interference.

The unique industrial design of EndoCuff utilizes advanced polymer technology to provide a rigid support structure combined with flexible projections that gently open the colon wall. The design language reflects a compact, high-quality, and technically detailed device suitable for the medical environment. The device comes in various sizes and is designed to fit different colonoscope sizes and models. The twin-shot molding process, in collaboration with Boddingtons Plastics, ensures the two layers of flexible hairs are manufactured in a circular arrangement. The hard outer shell provides rigidity for application to the endoscope, while the soft molding ensures the hairs remain flexible, minimizing trauma during the procedure.

EndoCuff is designed to fit most Olympus, Fujinon, and Pentax colonoscopes. It is radio-opaque, disposable, and fits onto the tip of the colonoscope distal to the bending section, ensuring it does not interfere with the instrument's mechanics. The hinged projections fall flush with the colonoscope, allowing for smooth forward motion. The device is latex-free and sterile, making it suitable for single-use only.

The EndoCuff slips onto the end of conventional colonoscopes using a friction grip fit. During extubation, it improves the physician's ability to visualize and examine the mucosa in four unique and innovative ways. It supports the tip of the instrument within the center of the lumen, providing an improved position for a panoramic view. The flexible arms reduce the risk of sudden slippage during withdrawal, allowing for better control and feedback. The arms also open the bowel for inspection, everting large mucosal folds and providing clear views of previously difficult-to-visualize mucosa. Experienced colonoscopists can use the flexible arm to manipulate folds, polyps, or debris, without losing vision.

The EndoCuff project started in February 2009 in Cambridge and was launched early in 2012. Extensive research was conducted, exploring natural inspirations such as animal skins and fish scales for forward friction traction. The project also focused on materials, mechanical design, coatings, aesthetics, testing, and packaging. Practical tests were conducted using pig colons to simulate the human colon, ensuring the best mechanical design in terms of function, materials, and processes.

EndoCuff's innovative design and functionality have earned it recognition in the form of the prestigious A' Design Award. In 2013, it was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in the Medical Devices and Medical Equipment Design category. This award recognizes the outstanding expertise, innovation, and excellence demonstrated by EndoCuff, showcasing its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill.

With EndoCuff's revolutionary design, the field of colonoscopy is set to undergo a significant transformation. Improved mucosal vision and enhanced tip control will lead to better detection rates within cancer screening, ultimately saving lives.