title: Ultra-high definition (8K UHD) endoscope: our first clinical success.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have started clinical application of 8K ultra-high definition (UHD; 7680 × 4320 pixels) imaging technology, which is a 16-fold higher resolution than the current 2K high-definition (HD; 1920 × 1080 pixels) technology, to an endoscope for advanced laparoscopic surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on preliminary testing experience and with subsequent technical and system improvements, we then proceeded to perform two cases of cholecystectomy and were able to achieve clinical success with an 8K UHD endoscopic system, which consisted of an 8K camera, a 30-degrees angled rigid endoscope with a lens adapter, a pair of 300-W xenon light sources, an 85-inch 8K LCD and an 8K video recorder. These experimental and clinical studies revealed the engineering and clinical feasibility of the 8K UHD endoscope, enabling us to have a positive outlook on its prospective use in clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 8K UHD endoscopy promises to open up new possibilities for intricate procedures including anastomoses of thin nerves and blood vessels as well as more confident surgical resections of a diversity of cancer tissues. 8K endoscopic imaging, compared to imaging by the current 2K imaging technology, is very likely to lead to major changes in the future of medical practice.
authors.affiliation: University Research Center, Nohon University, 1-7-3, Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062 Japan ; Medical Imaging Consortium, 5-5, Shinogawa-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0814 Japan.
authors.forename: Hiromasa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Kyorin University, 6-20-2, Shinkawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, 181-0004 Japan.
authors.forename: Hisae
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.affiliation: Medical Imaging Consortium, 5-5, Shinogawa-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0814 Japan.
authors.forename: Kenkichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanioka
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Kyorin University, 6-20-2, Shinkawa, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo, 181-0004 Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.affiliation: University Research Center, Nohon University, 1-7-3, Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062 Japan ; Medical Imaging Consortium, 5-5, Shinogawa-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0814 Japan.
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chiba
keywords: 4K ultra-high definition (UHD); 8K ultra-high definition (UHD); Cholecystectomy; Laparoscopic surgery