The main goal of this project is to extend the capabilities of ERCP with high-resolution optical imaging while making the insertion and examination technique as minimally invasive as possible. In addition to high-quality and high-resolution imaging in a miniature instrument, these advances will be engineered into a single-operator system with 4-way tip deflection and new accessory devices. This project will develop the tip bending mechanism without sacrificing size, cost, and performance of the proposed mini-pancreatoscope (MP). The new MP will be tested against current ERCP procedures by gastroenterologists using a synthetic model for ERCP training that contains force sensors.
