Continuously Variable Endoscopy

Abstract

Continuously variable endoscopes have rotatable camera tips which enable visualization over a wide range of angles without actually moving the endoscope [1–5]. This is achieved using a specialized Hopkin’s telescope aptly named EndoCAMeleon^R or simply ECAM^R (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). It looks like a regular standard 4 mm rigid telescope but has a wider proximal body that fits into the camera head. This body has a rotatable black knob that is coupled with the optomechanics at the shaft tip. The knob can be rotated for varying the angles from 15° to 90°. The angulations are depicted on the body of the telescope with arrows, the vertical arrow at one end represents 15°, the horizontal at the other end represents 90°, and multiple arrow points in between represent 30°, 45°, and 70°, respectively. The tip of the shaft has a swiveling V-block, which has rotatable optics that respond to the rotation of the knob.