Designing Endoscope Guides

Student: Paul Goebel, 2016-2017

Sponsor: Prof. Matthew Leevy, Biological Sciences, Notre Dame, IN

Endoscopes are medical devices used by veterinary surgeons to get a better look inside an animal’s organs. The endoscope contains a camera at the tip with an attached light for optimal viewing. Endoscopes are used in several types of surgeries. They can be inserted orally, rectally, or through the abdominal wall during general laparoscopy. The most common endoscopic application is through the throat. The problem with these endoscopes is the tip, or location of the camera is very fragile and can easily break. Animals range in shape and size, making it difficult to use one endoscope for every surgery. Periodically the wrong size endoscope is used to perform surgical procedures. When this mistake is made, it becomes easier for the device to break, and the broken piece can be lodged inside of the animal, causing obvious problems. My thesis project is centered around the design of a strong and rigid guide for these endoscopes. This new component will ensure that the device does not break during surgery. In order to develop these endoscope guides as inexpensively as possible, I will be using solid works to create a model, and 3D printing for production.