?:definition
|
-
Instruments designed to access, examine, diagnose, and/or treat internal tissues and/or organs of the human body otherwise inaccessible through natural canals or body cavities. These instruments usually consist of an outer sheath, a lighting system (e.g., fiberoptic), and a working channel to introduce catheters and operative devices. Endoscopes may be flexible or rigid, using plastic or metallic (e.g. stainless steel) outer sheaths; some include a video camera to display images from the tip of the endoscope. Most endoscopes are specialized for the area where they operate and/or the procedure to be performed; they are named accordingly.
|