title: Application of wireless electrical non-fiberoptic endoscope: Potential benefit and limitation in endoscopic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional rigid endoscope requires a bundle of optic fibers for illumination and a set of camera for viewing body cavity. The design is bulky in the hand-held part and the laterally positioned optic fibers may hinder manipulation of instruments, especially in single port surgery. We designed a simplified unit to replace conventional endoscope.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used an independent front image sensor along with six light emitting diode crystals. A wireless module working in 2.4 GHz and its antenna were integrated into the hand-help part. Two 800 mA batteries were used for power supply. The study was tested in two 35 kg pigs. Some simple thoracoscopic and laparoscopic operations were simulated to test the reliability and surgeon's acceptability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Signal Noise ratio can be controlled well in the setting of the operative room. Signal transmission was influenced significantly when covered by damped gauze or drape. The best quality of wireless transmission is through line-of-sight. Dropping frame is less than 1 frame per second in 99% time period during the test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wireless modules in the design of rigid endoscope may be a plausible option with good acceptability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, Taipei City, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of General Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan. Electronic address: musclenet2003@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Chih-Hao
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei City, Taiwan. Electronic address: f10381@ntut.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Ho
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of General Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsang-Pai
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tun-Sung
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chao-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D013552:Swine; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation
keywords: Endoscope; Surgery; Wireless